"What we will not do - and never have done - is stand still or turn a blind eye to problems in our supply chain. On this you have my word."

Tim Cook, chief executive of Apple Inc, responding to a report in The New York Times about working conditions at its main contract manufacturer, Foxconn Technology Group, in China, an issue that for years has been a thorn in the US company's side.

"It is reasonable to levy this tax soon, because it can be seen as a way of strengthening capital controls for the central government that is aiming to prevent money outflows."

Jing Xuecheng, director-general of the Harmony Strategy Research Council, saying that draft rules concerning the imposition of capital gains taxes on foreign qualified institutional investors are ready to be published and the tax can help limit capital outflows and improve the quality of investment projects.

"Our view remains that the luxury market will continue to see strong growth, although considering the explosive growth of past years, it would be a little slower in comparison."

Yuval Atsmon, partner in McKinsey & Co's Shanghai office, saying that many luxury brands have made their annual price adjustments for certain products, with increases of more than 10 percent since November, but that hasn't dented Chinese customers' taste for upmarket items.