"What matters are the wishes you send, not the money you put in an envelope."

Wang Zuoyi, a folklore expert in Beijing, commenting on yasuiqian, cash sealed in a red envelope given to children during the Spring Festival

"Fireworks add to the festive spirit and entertain children in particular. The biggest occasion for Chinese people would be dull without them."

Shen Yongqiang, a 65-year-old villager in Jiangxi Province, speaking on February 18. In China, the Spring Festival is traditionally celebrated by fireworks, which is believed to ward off evil spirits, but some have complained that the tradition has come at the expense of air quality

"For young people who are smothered by their families, there must be a channel for them to voice their anxieties and troubles."

Zhang Qi, Deputy Director of the Psychological Counseling Center at East China Normal University, stressing the importance of providing psychological counseling to young people on February 18

"Nepotism and restrictions on hukou, or household registration, are obstacles deterring some overseas students from returning to China."

Wang Huiyao, Director General of the Center for China and Globalization based in Beijing, speaking to China Daily on February 19