Quotes from around China this week

“We’ve received no orders from the government at all. Usually at times like this, we would always have government orders.”
- An employee at the Laitai flower market in Beijing. A slew of new regulations issued to curb corruption and limit showy displays by Chinese officialdom have seen sales drop in liquor, floral displays and other products associated with official banquets and welcoming ceremonies. Time

"I take Bruce Lee very seriously."
-Shen Jianzhong, the Hebei man who beat and subdued at least seven thugs who’d come to evict him from his home. LA Times

“China’s economic performance in 2013 will be significantly affected by how seriously Chinese regulators are going to treat non-bank financing.”
-Shi Lei, a Beijing-based analyst with broker Founder Securities Co. Bloomberg

“Few people are attracted to, much less want to emulate, those they consider fearful or paranoid.”
- The Diplomat on China’s soft power push.

"I haven't seen any indication the new administration is any more concerned with issues of a stronger press or freedom of press than previously."
- Jeremy Goldkorn, editor of Danwei.com. LA Times

“[We] never imagined that such a small accident could turn into a big environmental pollution incident.”
- Zhang Bao, mayor of Changzhi city, where a 39-ton chemical spill contaminated a local river, appeared at a news conference early Monday to explain delays in informing the public. Wall Street Journal

“The risk is we’ll get re-education lite — a system that perpetuates the ability of police to deprive people of liberty for significant periods of time without trial or judicial oversight. My fear is that such a system would end up being harder to do away with.”
- Nicholas Bequelin, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch on the announcement that China’s Re-education Through Labor system will be reformed this year. New York Times