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"。