When interviewed by this newspaper, many political and academic figures and civil groups said they welcomed the move. Indeed, some of them even regretted that it could have been made earlier.

• 多名政界、学术界和公民团体代表在接受本报访问时，都欢迎辟设"演说者角落"，其中几名还埋怨说这是"迟来的春天"。