If there's the right condition, I always want to express the concept or ideas in a very independent way.

Maybe [success] is because I'm in China and I'm more open. Maybe it's my independent behavior, or because I participated in certain projects. I have no idea.

I have always stated I designed the stadium as a toilet seat. I don't care if this is a great cultural event or a national symbol. It has nothing to do with me. It deals with the city.

Many people are going to use [Beijing National Stadium], which makes it more meaningful. If we don't design it, somebody else has to design it.

I think we cannot have a double standard. We cannot see our art as different from the reality. We cannot use two different sets of judgment.

In a society like this there is no negotiation, no discussion, except to tell you that power can crush you any time they want — not only you, your whole family and all people like you.

I think by not letting young people be fully informed, how can they have energy and passion and the right picture of the world? I think that's the true crime.