[Cultural departments] don't care about culture. Maybe they're the furthest from the people who understand culture.

I don't think there is a distinct change, because in the West I'm not a person who can serve his purpose.

The museums used to be exhibition halls for government propaganda, and now every city wants to build a museum. A few thousand are to be built in the next few years, all using taxpayer money. But there is no system, no research, no content, no good programs, no good managers.

I always admire writers. My father was a writer, a poet. I always admire people who can clearly state their mind.

To survive, China had to open up to the West. It could not survive otherwise. This was after many millions have died of hunger in a country that was like North Korea is today. Once we became part of global competition, we had to agree to some rules. It's painful, but we had to. Otherwise there was no way to survive.

Only with the Internet can a peasant I have never met hear my voice and I can learn what's on his mind. A fairy tale has come true.

I hope that my work expresses my worldview and encourages people to exchange ideas.