On behalf of the Chinese government and Chinese people, and in my own name, I would like to offer profound condolences for the deceased and express my sincere sympathy to the injured and the families of the victims."

President Xi Jinping, in a letter of condolence to Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 4, over the St. Petersburg Metro bombing.

"Apart from having world-class urban planning, the architecture in the new area will also showcase Chinese cultural characteristics. ... We'll also give support to major transportation, ecology, water conservation, energy and public service projects in the new area."

He Lifeng, minister of the National Development and Reform Commission, speaking about the Xiongan New Area development.

"We are very much looking forward to the Belt and Road forum ... and looking forward to the UK making a significant, practical contribution to delivering the vision of the Belt and Road Initiative."

Barbara Woodward, UK ambassador to China, saying that the United Kingdom expects to forge concrete cooperation plans with China in the grand blueprint for the Belt and Road Initiative at a forum scheduled for May.

(China Daily Africa Weekly 04/07/2017 page2)