Quotable

"A more transparent regulatory system and corruption-free culture will make China a much more pleasant marketplace."

Shirley Chan, vice-president of the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong. While welcoming government efforts to clamp down on corruption, foreign businesses in China are scrambling to review their practices and adopt safeguards to avoid being caught in scandals that can have serious consequences in China and at home, she said.

"China will not encounter a sudden economic crisis. For investors who have got out of assets in China, it's natural to express pessimism. We're used to it."

Yu Yongding, economist at the People's Bank of China. China is able to ensure a soft economic landing, and reforms will bring new drivers to sustain growth, he said.

"Compared with debt ratios in developed countries, ours is not high and the risks are controllable."

Zhang Xiaojun, a spokesman for the China Securities Regulatory Commission, saying risks in the domestic bond market can be controlled, and occasional defaults won't affect its overall steady condition or reduce demand for financing and investment.

(China Daily Africa Weekly 03/21/2014 page18)