| "China's foreign trade growth has relied too much on markets in developed countries and exporters in the coastal regions…To maintain growth in exports and imports, China should target important emerging markets with large populations, rich resources and low market shares while stabilizing shares in traditional markets."
Zhong Shan, Vice Commerce Minister of China, at a foreign trade conference in Beijing on December 14
"Parties involved in humanitarian assistance must abide by the principles of humanity, neutrality and impartiality, respecting the sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity of the affected countries."
Wang Min, Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the UN, addressing the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York City on December 14
"Instead of grabbing land in Africa, China has been providing as much technical assistance as it can to help develop agriculture there and enhance the continent's capability of using its natural resources and addressing issues such as climate change and food security."
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei, responding to accusations that China has been buying up land in Africa at a regular press briefing in Beijing on December 8
"We have set for ourselves an ambitious target of 9 percent annual growth in GDP in the 12th Five-Year Plan. This high rate of economic growth would require our energy consumption also to increase rapidly."
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, talking to the media about energy conservation in New Delhi, India, on December 14
"I think the time has come to talk openly and honestly. Serbia is being asked to recognize the independence of Kosovo. Let's no longer talk about fairy tales; this is what's being asked of Serbia."
Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Dacic, protesting against EU's decision to postpone its conclusion on whether to recognize Serbia as a membership candidate by three months and saying that recognition of Kosovo was the latest condition imposed on the Balkan country in Belgrade, Serbia, on December 13 | 
