"The EU's fundamental approach to China must remain one of engagement and partnership. But with a closer strategic partnership, mutual responsibilities increase."

A statement issued by the European Commission (EC), entitled "EU-China: Closer partners, growing responsibilities," which is focusing on the importance of the development of EU-China relations

"We must therefore ensure that while all the technical elements are in place we do not forget to look after the less tangible elements that will ultimately shape the world's image of China and the Beijing Games."

Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee, in Beijing

"The railway is a symbol of Russia's power in the region. Russia has been trying to get back into the game in Northeast Asia since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The railway is one way."

Charles Armstrong, Director of the Center for Korean Research at Columbia University, commenting about Russia's plan to complete a rail line crossing the North Korean-Russian border

"With the listing of some major state-owned commercial banks and big enterprises, there is a much stronger connection between the stock index and the national economy. The opportunity to trade stock futures has arrived."

Shang Fulin, Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), announcing that China will launch the trading of stock index futures at the Shanghai-based China Financial Futures Exchange in early 2007

"We're dismayed that journalists have become pawns of Palestinian groups seeking to exploit them for political purposes. These blatant attacks on journalists will have a chilling effect on their ability to do their work and will ultimately deprive the world of information about this critically important story."

Committee to Protect Journalists Executive Director Joel Simon said after an Associated Press photographer was freed unharmed by his Palestinian captors