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

I don't belong to a working system. They only select people if you belong to one so you can be controlled.

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

Even if I have hundreds of things to do, the disconnected feeling is still there because it is very hard to find a real purpose of life.

The whole Chinese system - not just the political leadership, the military too, the whole power structure, our education system, the whole of society - is suffering from being cut off from the free flow of information. That's why the country can't face up to open competition - unless it resorts to measures like North Korea.

The American experience influenced my understanding of individuality, basic human rights, freedom of expression and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

This is a very general understanding of art in China, that being an artist can make you money and turn you into a star.