"The Communist Party of China and the government will make strenuous efforts to improve the welfare of its senior citizens and make sure their difficulties are solved and they have access to better services."

Chinese President Hu Jintao, during a three-day inspection tour in Baoding, north China's Hebei Province, early February

"Both Cambodia and Thailand are China's friendly neighbors. China hopes the two nations exercise calmness and restraint, resolve disputes through consultation, and prevent the situation from escalating."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei, on the latest border conflicts between Cambodian and Thai troops over their age-old territorial dispute

"The country's winter wheat producing regions have suffered severe drought since October last year, and the possibility of a spring drought is surfacing."

Chinese Minister of Agriculture Han Changfu, making a call to take more measures to minimize the impact of a possible spring drought

"The additional weapons to be deployed there must be sufficient and modern, in order to ensure the security of the islands as an integral part of Russia."

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, on February 9, ordering the deployment of sufficient weaponry to secure the disputed Southern Kuril islands

"When you speak about prompt, immediate, now—as if you are imposing on a great country like Egypt, a great friend that has always maintained the best of relationship with the United States, you are imposing your will on him."

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit, accusing the United States of imposing its will on his country on February 9