Verbatim

"This is one of the most intelligent populations anywhere in the world, and I see no justification for there not being universal franchise."
JOHN MAJOR, former British Prime Minister, criticizing Beijing's decision to delay universal suffrage in Hong Kong

"We are Chinese ... Are you clear on that? Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong."
LI ZHAOXING, Chinese Foreign Minister, rejecting criticism from Britain and the U.S. over the decision to curb democratic reform in the territory

"I shared a deep disgust that those prisoners were...