On Wo hu cang long (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), the film that made her name:
I acted in this film twenty-one years ago! The way I look at it now is completely different. The subject matter that Ang Lee develops in the film is a timeless theme, which is that each individual has to stay true to himself. At the time I was nineteen years old. I did not fully understand what he meant. I was a student at the Centre for Dramatic Arts in China. I had just made my first film with Zhang Yimou. One day, I heard someone say that one of my professors had sent my photo to Ang Lee. And then Zhang Yimou recommended me to Ang Lee. For two months, I was training for the role, knowing that there were other candidates for the part. I didn't know if I would get it.

About her fighting spirit:
I was born into a very traditional family. My mother worked in a maternity hospital and my father was an economist for the government. I didn’t grow up in luxury. My parents worked hard to bring us up and we did not have many activities. I don't remember my parents encouraging me a lot or saying "I love you." They have always been demanding with me even though I have won many awards in my career. This has taught me to be demanding of myself. Most of the roles I have interpreted have this perseverence as a a common theme.

On her first collaboration with Wong Kar-wai:
He has played a very important role in my career. The first time I worked on a film with him was in 2004. That was a very stressful experience for me because I could never see his eyes behind his glasses. It was intimidating. I didn't have any dialogue or any script. The film was made in Cantonese, a language I did not understand. I asked my agent to bring me saké to help me deal with my anxiety! I felt like a wild plant, forced to survive. And then one day Wong Kar-wai took off his glasses. I realised I didn't need to be so tense!

On the filming of Yi dai zong shi (The Grandmaster):
This film shoot was the most demanding of my whole career up until now. I was in a very anxious and melancholy period of my life. I remember asking for a day off in the middle of the filming, which was complicated because it would cost a lot of money. But Wong Kar-wai agreed. He knew that I was not feeling well and he showed himself to be very understanding. Today he is a very close friend. I could play any role for him.

On her international career:
I wanted to know what it was like to do a film in Hollywood. But since I know kung-fu, I was always offered the same kind of role. Gradually, I started turning down offers. Then the film Memoirs of a Geisha came along. I accepted because it is rare for a lead role in a Hollywood film to be given to an Asian actor. The most important thing for an actor is to be patient. It is important to choose the characters that you love. I would love to play in a film of social realism.