Quotable

Editor's note: Keynote speakers of the World Economic Forum's sixth Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2012 in Tianjin shared their insights on China and the world economy. Cheng Guangjin and Chen Jia report:

 

"The fundamental reason China's annual average GDP growth has stayed at 9.9 percent is that, in the past 34 years, it has been sticking to the reform and opening-up policy, advancing with the times and making consistent innovation."

Zhang Xiaoqiang, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission

 

"We should step up the multi-nationalization of China's financial institutions because great changes have taken place in the domestic market. Major Chinese commercial banks, including the Bank of China, will all pick up the pace to improve international operations."

Xiao Gang, president of Bank of China

 

"According to international standards, China needs to add more than 12 million jobs for doctors and nurses. The healthcare industry will be a pillar industry in the future and help to create new economic growth points."

Chen Zhu, minister of health

 

"China faces difficulties in exporting this year, and it will be very hard to realize the 10 percent target for export growth."

Wei Jianguo, former vice-minister of commerce

 

"Only global cooperation and solidarity can allow us to return to a path of harmonious growth. Today, the most competitive countries are those that combine strong entrepreneurial force with vision and statesmanship."

Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum

 

"I always thought it was wrong that manufacturing is an old industry that will die in developed countries as it keeps moving to a lower and lower cost center."

Kevin Rudd, member of Parliament, Australia

 

"When Europe shows the first signs of recovery, which we will do next year, the rest of the world should push this movement. It will not just be for the benefit of Europe but also for the world. Invest in Europe. Trade more with Europe. Believe that Europe will recover."

Helle Thorning-Schmidt, prime minister of Denmark

 

"It's not so easy to forget nuclear power. It will be reduced in the energy mix, and in the long term it will be covered by renewables. But now it is time for Japan to recover, to be reborn and to reconsider."

Yorihiko Kojima, chairman of the board, Mitsubishi Corporation, Japan