It shows that the Chinese leader wants to know more about the demands of the business community and to respond to their concerns and questions."

Xu Hongcai, a researcher at the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, who says Premier Li Keqiang's meeting with business leaders in New York showed China's desire to gain insight into the concerns of the business community, which could advance China-US commercial relations with a bottom-up approach.

"China resolutely opposes the wrong behavior by the European Parliament. It's impossible China will stay unmoved over such behavior."

Lu Kang, a foreign Ministry spokesman who was commenting on the recent meeting between leaders of the European Parliament and the Dalai Lama.

"Approaching another culture is always connected to exchange of different ideas, and invention of new ways of cooperating with each other. Indeed, we welcome all efforts to assist the work of the media. ... We believe this is the best way to enhance connectivity."

Jean-jacques De Dardel, Swiss ambassador to China, who says bringing Europe and Asia closer requires more than investments in trade, roads, bridges and airports.

(China Daily European Weekly 09/23/2016 page2)