Quotes of the Day

Invented in China
Re "China Makes Everything. Why Can't It Create Anything?" [Nov. 11]: It's all about education! China has long been criticized for its lack of originality. Its spoon-feeding education has strangled the creativity and critical thinking of the new generation. They lose their learning autonomy and initiative. Repetitive and monotonous exercises are required to cope with the National Higher Education Entrance Examination. That is why some Chinese students choose to sign up for the SAT and enroll in schools overseas for postsecondary education. They can by no means become innovative unless a reform of education is introduced. Otherwise, China's economic miracle won't be able to be sustained for long.
Samuel Lo,
Hong Kong

I believe eventually the same thing will happen in China as in Japan under the supervision of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry after World War II. First Japanese companies copied European and American products and made these cheaper. Then they improved these, and finally produced their own brands such as Seiko and Komatsu.
Wilhelm S. Boe,
Arnes, Norway

Saudi Severance
Re "The Saudis Are Upset? Tough!" [Nov. 11]: It is time for the U.S. and the rest of the free world to wake up to the terror being financed and spread around the world by the Saudis. The Most Irresponsible Foreign Policy of the Saudis has been going on for decades, but the U.S. has tried to ignore it. Fareed Zakaria should have written this earlier.
Zuhair Kazanji,
London

Battle of the Brains
Re "Mind Games" [Nov. 11]: I find it highly unfair that the chess player Magnus Carlsen has been given more prominence worldwide, and made to sit in the saddle as high expectations are being attached to him. It is true that he is skilled, but Viswanathan Anand has experience, skill, strategy, sharpness, resilience and smartness backing him. It would be unwise to have him sidelined.
Devi Rajmohan,
Kochi, India

Yes, in a mind game, physical fitness also matters, as the body is the temple sheltering the mind. Anand may have the hometown advantage, but he has to meet the local fans' expectations. But in the end, Anand's emotional and spiritual fitness may tilt the scales in his favor, and we are all looking forward to seeing Carlsen in action in Chennai, a city known for its hospitality to visitors.
Veera Ramaswamy,
Coonoor, India

Gorilla Warfare
Re "Saving Congo's Gorillas" [Nov. 11]: The Congolese Wildlife Authority rangers defending mountain gorillas certainly deserve our admiration and support. Unfortunately, the specter of future commercial development has already arrived. Oil-exploration companies have reportedly entered the Virunga National Park, disregarding pleas from the WWF and UNESCO — Virunga is also a World Heritage site.
Bjorn Warnqvist,
Taby, Sweden

Trust Between Nations
Re "Spy Vs. Spy" [Nov. 11]: Are America's security interests best served by antagonizing people in other parts of the world? Genuine friendship can only work on the basis of confidence based on honesty. Perhaps we now have a chance to learn from the current debacle and move in that direction.
Andrew Thorne,
Dahlenburg, Germany

The F Word
I am a little disappointed in Kelly Clarkson's statement that she would not consider herself a feminist because the term is "too strong" [10 Questions, Nov. 11]. Though a small proportion of feminists may be the "Get out of my way, I don't need anyone" man-haters she describes, in my opinion, the vast majority seek equality for women — no more, no less. We as a society must take care to avoid demonizing feminists or risk raising a new generation for which feminism is a bad word.
Elizabeth Baldwin,
Everton Hills, Australia