"Since the Chang'e program was approved two years ago, fundamental development has been achieved in all five related systems ranging from the satellite, the rocket, tracking and control, ground applications and the launch center."

Sun Laiyan, Director of the China National Space Administration, introducing China's first lunar exploration project at the eighth International Lunar Exploration Working Group Conference in Beijing

"The United States showed no flexibility at all in the end on the issue of domestic subsidies in agriculture." 

Peter Mandelson, EU Trade Commissioner, after negotiations among six key governments over a new global trade agreement collapsed on July 24

"Obviously the violence in Baghdad is still terrible and therefore there needs to be more troops."

U.S. President George Bush, speaking at a White House news conference with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki

"We feel she's fully capable of the new position. She has orchestrated efforts among developing countries to prevent a bird flu epidemic. She also gained support from major countries and influenced drugmakers to develop vaccines."

York Chow, Hong Kong's Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, on China's nomination of Hong Kong-born Margaret Chan for the post of director general of the World Health Organization

"Unless somebody discovers something very quickly and very accessibly, we're all going to be dumbfounded at how high the price of oil will go, including me."

Jim Rogers, the co-founder of Quantum hedge fund, predicting oil prices will reach $100 a barrel, possibly this year