"The central bank must learn lessons from the global financial crisis to better handle the intensity, pace and focus of financial macrocontrol."
Zhou Xiaochuan, Governor of the People's Bank of China (PBOC), in Beijing on December 21, reiterating that the PBOC will continue to implement prudent monetary policy in 2012
"The China Development Bank (CDB) takes the initiative to issue yuan-denominated bonds through the Central Moneymarket Unit (CMU) bid as the first mainland financial institution. This is a positive exploration in the mechanism of bonds issuance and is a meaningful measure to facilitate market development."
Gao Jian, Executive Vice President of the CDB, speaking after the bank announced its issuance of yuan-denominated bonds in Hong Kong through the CMU of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority in Hong Kong on December 21
"The upcoming 2012 is a make-or-break year for the world economy. The economy will be either 'muddling through' or falling back to a renewed recession. There is simply no way in between and the key is how policymakers will act in the face of current crisis."
Hong Pingfan, Chief of Global Economic Monitoring in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) at the United Nations, in an recent interview with Xinhua News Agency in New York
"It will be focused on jobs, and that is a big challenge in the context when zero growth is expected in most of our economies. We must take strong action on employment. Bringing financial stability to the euro zone remains absolutely the key for our future."
European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, in a video address in Brussels on December 20, saying that the next EU summit will be held on January 30, 2012
"No, our view has not changed that Assad needs to step down, that he is not the man to lead his country into the future."
Victoria Nuland, spokeswoman of the U.S. State Department, at a regular news briefing in Washington D.C. on December 20, calling for the Syrian president to step down, even as the Arab nation agreed to allow in Arab monitors
