The relationship between the Chinese government and me is like a Cold War.

The leadership knows that you cannot solve the issues of China's future with the means of the past. The demographic consequences of the one-child policy, the build-up of the welfare state, the jobs for 7 million university graduates every year, the immense corruption: Even some Western governments would have to scramble to find solutions to such problems.

Now I've come to such a mixed culture: America, Europe, South America, Africa. And the politics are changing everywhere all the time and becoming even more unpredictable. There's no such thing as "fixed" culture. China is also becoming more global. Its problems are becoming international problems, becoming German problems, becoming American problems. Nothing is clear-cut. Perhaps I'll find my way - or get totally lost.

The freedom of speech is an important yardstick for a society's level of civilization.

The fantasy we had with pearls was always so luxurious and unique with a kind of rareness.

This world should be much more open and should be much more free, so the young people would have the chance to exercise the quality of their lives.

I spend a lot of time talking to journalists.