I grew up in a desert, which has no kind of imagination.

I think optimism is whether you are still exhilarated by life, whether you are curious, whether you still believe there is possibility.

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 art is a very important weapon to achieve human freedom

Cities really are mental conditions. Beijing is a nightmare. A constant nightmare.

I think U.S. and China is a big opportunity, to be seen as partner or some kind of strategic partner maybe. But those kind of powers have a way of getting too big, then we'll have competition. And who is going to win the competition if U.S. cannot hold a strong ideology? And even the U.S. would've lost the ground to win.

I never had secure, belonging feelings with this society [in China].