"Our first job is to provide medical treatment for the injured people. We are going to set up a field hospital and we hope it can function like a normal hospital. If necessary, we will give advice on the reconstruction of this area, because this was a relatively moderate earthquake but it caused significant damage so we have to identify the reasons for the big loss of life and property." 

Huang Jianfa, deputy chief of the Chinese rescue team dispatched to Indonesia's quake-stricken island of Java

"This is the kind of war in which you have to win the hearts and minds of the people. And we're set back every time something like this happens. This is worse than Abu Ghraib."

U.S. Rep. John Murtha, on the shootings of unarmed Iraqi civilians by U.S. marines

"To date, the investigation has found no evidence of a spread within the general community and no evidence that efficient human-to-human transmission has occurred."

World Health Organization, after an Indonesian man died of bird flu after nursing his sick son

"Almost all the Chinese in East Timor fled to the embassy and we had a big crowd there. I just left all my property there and returned by the chartered plane."

Wang Deren, one of the 243 Chinese brought home on two government-chartered aircraft after riots broke out in East Timor

"Of all the Chinese traditional festivals, the Spring Festival has been well protected and developed. In many countries in the world, leaders deliver speeches and carnivals are organized to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Spring Festival has become a famous brand in spreading Chinese culture abroad."

Chinese Minister of Culture Sun Jiazheng, on the protection of China's cultural heritage