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"We expect the talks to yield active and balanced results so as to create an equal, just and non-prejudiced multilateral trade system across the world."

Bo Xilai, China's Minister of Commerce, at a meeting of 21 trade ministers from the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation Organization (APEC) held in Vietnam, said China will work with all World Trade Organization (WTO) members to conclude the current round of Doha global trade talks by year's end as scheduled.

"DaimlerChrysler has a long-term commitment to China with regard to localization. More Chinese auto parts suppliers will join our production supply chain."

Till Becker, CEO of DaimlerChrysler for its Northeast Asia region, said on June 1, that German-US auto giant plans to increase its input on China-made auto parts by eight-fold over the next two years to increase localized production in its Chinese joint ventures.

"Private entrepreneurs should follow market principles and the fine Chinese tradition of helping others and work for personal wealth and the whole nation's common wealth."

Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference on May 24, called on private businesses to help eliminate gaping disparities between the incomes of the richest and poorest people in China.

"Only when we have the greatest partnership with Chinese companies and customers, can we really succeed."

Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, the world's biggest software firm, said on May 22 in Beijing that the firm has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Information Industry to increase its support for the Chinese information industry and to assist in narrowing the digital divide between urban and rural areas.

"It seems that the experience I gained over the past 25 years was just for the Three Gorges Dam. I've reached the climax of my career since I took part in the project."

Swiss engineer Hans Grolimund, who serves as the chief site representative of France-based Alstom Power on the Three Gorges Project, spoke at a brief celebration ceremony after the completion of the world's largest dam on May 20.

 "We will materialize an initial public offering (IPO) and a market listing this year."

The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) Chairman Jiang Jianqing confirmed on May 22 that the biggest State bank of China would sell shares to the public in 2006, following on the heels of the China Construction Bank and Bank of China.

"In all sectors that have so far been opened to foreigners, non-Chinese suppliers enjoy the same opportunities as local firms when they compete for government projects."

Vice-Minister Yu Guangzhou, of China's Ministry of Commerce, on May 16 said China will enter negotiations about joining a global organization that will allow its firms to bid for government contracts around the world; he said the country will also join the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) by the end of 2007.

"Russia-China cooperation has reached an unprecedented level and the two countries are competent to address all issues between them."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Viktorovich Lavrov, commented during talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in Beijing on May 16. The two foreign ministries vowed to maintain close contacts and cooperation in key fields and expressed their satisfaction with the successful activities of the "Year of Russia" cultural celebration in China.

"We're striving to achieve better air quality by the 2008 Games to welcome the athletes and the Olympic family."

Jiang Xiaoyu, a vice-president of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG), on May 18 spoke at a news conference at the end of a three-day inspection visit by the International Olympic Committee saying Beijing is drafting contingency plans to alleviate the city's snarled traffic and suffocating smog during the 2008 Olympics.

"Science and technology, especially strategic high technology, is increasingly becoming the decisive force in economic and social development and the focus of competition in comprehensive national strength."

Chinese President Hu Jintao urged scientists to work towards building an innovation-oriented nation and strongly support the country's development at the 13th conference of academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering opens in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 5.