Quotable

"Although online shopping is not the fundamental reason for the declining growth of the retail industry, market trends are driving us to put more efforts on it."

Ling Peixue, general manager of Lushang Group. Most of China's traditional state-owned retailers face stiff competition from private retailers and e-commerce companies. The China Chain Store & Franchise Association says 67 of the top 100 chain retailers had set up online shopping sites by the end of 2013.

"The development of charging infrastructure is very important to improve the use of electric vehicles among individual consumers."

Wan Gang, China's minister of science and technology. The government's latest policy to support alternative-fuel vehicles - a waiver of the 10 percent purchase tax - likely will accelerate individual adoption of the cars.

"Coal will continue to be the majority source for China's energy supply because of its low cost and rich reserves."

Dai Bing, director of the coal industry information department at JYD Online Corp, a Beijing-based bulk commodity consultancy. He said given the limited volume of imported natural gas and reduced crude oil exploration in the country, China needs to use coal in a cleaner and more efficient way.

(China Daily Africa Weekly 07/18/2014 page18)