These replies provide an explanation of exactly who it is that understands Chinese. If there is something besides the man in the room that can understand Chinese, Searle cannot argue that (1) the man does not understand Chinese, therefore (2) nothing in the room understands Chinese. This, according to those who make this reply, shows that Searle's argument fails to prove that "strong AI" is false.
These replies provide an explanation of exactly who it is that understands Chinese. If there is something besides the man in the room that can und,erstand Chinese, Searle cannot argue that (1) the man does not understand Chinese, therefore (2) nothing in the room understands Chinese. This according to those who make this reply, shows that Searle's argument fails to prove that "strong AI" is false.