China
Top 10 notable quotes
(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-12-08 08:01
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Editor's note: Every year zillions of words are uttered by billions of people. But rarely does one word, one sentence, strike the public like a bolt of thunder. Most of the utterances became popular not by design, but by coincidence. One thing the quotes have in common is the candor and revelation that is unusual in these types of situations. The speakers may have spoken the truth, but the truth is too painful for us to hear. Next time, they will learn to couch their urge to be outspoken or outrageous with more diplomatic cliches.
"I'd rather weep in a BMW than laugh on a bicycle."
Ma Nuo, a 22-year-old Beijing model, said during a TV dating show on Jan 15, rejecting a man's offer to ride on his bike. The quote quickly came to epitomize the pervasive materialism of our time and Ma was nicknamed as "BMW Lady" by bloggers.
"The government must take tough measures to close all private Internet cafes."
Yan Qi, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), who runs a successful restaurant chain in Chongqing, stunned netizens with the proposal she delivered at the annual session of the CPPCC on March 1. The chain's website, www.cn-taoranju.com, was later attacked by hackers.
"Current real estate is overpriced, but nobody suggests you buy a property in either Guangzhou or Shenzhen. So why don't you get one in your hometown if you cannot afford it?"
Chen Huawei, manager of a construction company in Huazhou, Guangdong province, and a National People's Congress (NPC) deputy, made the statement on March 6 during a group discussion at a NPC branch, shocking those in attendance.
"It's fine that you appreciate your parents, but the nation should be thanked ahead of them."
Yu Zaiqing, deputy director of the General Administration of Sport of China and vice-president of the International Olympic Committee, said on March 7 at a group meeting of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in commenting on a thank you speech delivered by Zhou Yang, Olympic short track speedskating champion.
"Don't you understand fengshui? If you construct buildings here, they will block the government office building."
Wang Yinfeng, an official in Chongqing, yelled at a real estate developer on Aug 5. The remark was shocking because government officials are not supposed to subscribe to "superstitious" beliefs like fengshui, let alone put themselves before the interests of the people.
"High housing prices, high rent and high living costs are the only logical solutions to stopping out-of-control population growth in big cities."
Chen Gui, executive president of China Real Estate Association, suggested on Oct 14 as a means of easing the social problems caused by Beijing's increasing population. He even proposed that cars worth less than 100,000 yuan be banned in the capital.
"Sue me if you dare. My father is Li Gang!"
Li Yifan, 22, shot back at a campus security guard who tried to stop him after he hit two female college students with his car on Oct 16 at Hebei University. It was confirmed that his father is a local police chief. "Li Gang", which is a common name, quickly became symbolic of the protection afforded to children of power.
"If we didn't use forced demolitions, what would you intellectuals eat?"
Chen Xiaoping, an official in Wanzai county, Jiangxi province, retorted when a professor urged them not to tear down local homes on Nov 1.
"When you see this letter, we have just made an exceptionally difficult decision. Until 360 ends its infringements and malicious defamation against QQ, we have decided to stop the operation of QQ software on computers installed with 360 software."
Part of a Tencent statement posted on Nov 3.
"Having been in the circle so many years, I surely have a little connection."
Sun Wei, a soccer coach, said on Nov 13 to a reporter when asked if his promotion to be head coach of China's Olympic soccer team was the result of having strings pulled on his behalf.
