"It is clear that the Philippine side does not realize it is making serious mistakes by stepping up efforts to escalate tensions. Therefore, it is hard for us to be optimistic about the situation. We hope that the Philippine Government will not misjudge the disagreement or escalate tensions without considering the consequences. The Chinese Government has made all preparations to respond to any escalation by the Philippine side."

China's Vice Foreign Minister Fu Ying, meeting with Alex Chua, Charge D'affaires of the Philippine Embassy in China, on May 7

"China's population accounts for 19 percent of the global population while its current trade volume is only 10.4 percent, so it will be totally fine for China's trade to be 15 percent of the global share."

Chinese Minister of Commerce Chen Deming, at an economic meeting held in east China's Jiangsu Province on May 7

"The elections weren't easy and there were many difficulties. Such elections in such way will not make a real parliament and would further enrage the crisis. Syria's electoral system should be radically changed."

Qadri Jamil, head of the National Front for Change and Liberation of Syria and a parliament candidate, at a press conference held in Damascus on May 9, saying that there have been numerous violations in the polls held two days before

"The government is right to place deficit reduction and economic stability at the forefront of its program."

Simon Walker, Director General of the Representative Association for Business Leaders of Britain, on British Government's legislative plans for the coming year which focuses on economic recovery