"The Chinese bring what Africa needs: investment and money for governments and companies. China is investing in infrastructure and building roads."

Rwandan President Paul Kagame, defending China's program of investment in developing African countries in an interview with German daily Handelsblatt

"Continuous innovation of technology and upgrading of industries are the driving forces of modern economic growth for China."

Justin Yifu Lin, Senior Vice President and chief economist at the World Bank, giving his interpretation of the "China miracle" at an international economists' forum in Frankfurt, Germany, on October 15

"We have to have a better deal. We should be able to come out with an amicable understanding that everyone survives. If the Maldives can't be saved today, we do not feel that there is much of a chance for the rest of the world."

Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed, speaking on October 16 at the world's first underwater cabinet meeting, which was held to bring attention to the risks of climate change before a landmark UN climate change meeting in December. The island nation fears that rising sea levels could eventually leave it completely submerged

"We proved to the Olympic Committee that we have plans and proposals for Rio de Janeiro. We proved that our current policy not only consists of going into battle, it also consists of keeping the peace."

Rio state Public Safety Director Jose Beltrame, pledging to host a violence-free 2016 Olympics despite bloody drug gang shootouts that left 14 people dead on October 16

"I prefer the national interests of Afghanistan over my personal interests."

Afghan President Hamid Karzai, admitting on October 20 that he fell short of victory in the country's disputed presidential election and agreeing to a runoff election on November 7

"I'm pretty confident that there are Earth-like planets everywhere."

Stephane Udry, astronomer at the University of Geneva, after his team found 32 new planets outside of the solar system