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It took six hours for Liu Yi, 26, to get to Tianshui, Northwest China's Gansu province, by train. It took another two hours of waiting in a queue before he could finally get his hands on a bowl of local malatang — a mix of foods boiled in hot, spicy broth.26岁的刘毅乘坐了六个小时火车到达中国西北部甘肃省天水市，在排了两个小时的队后，终于吃到了一碗天水麻辣烫。这是一种以麻辣汤汁为底、炖煮各种食材的特色美食。While choosing the ingredients he wanted, Liu picked wide, thin rice noodles and a lot of chillies, along with the usual vegetables and meat. Spicy food is a must for Liu, a native of Southwest China's Sichuan province.在挑选食材时，刘毅选了宽粉和大量的辣椒，还有常见的蔬菜和肉类。对于刘毅这种土生土长的四川人来说，辣椒必不可少。The malatang did not disappoint. "It has a kind of rich fragrance," Liu said, after wiping hismouseclean.大快朵颐后，刘毅评价道：“天水麻辣烫有一种浓郁的香味”。The popularity of the dish is suddenly soaring. Thousands of diners like Liu have been making their way to the little-known northwestern city to try malatang, overwhelming local restaurant owners and contributing to local wealth.近期，麻辣烫的受欢迎程度突然飙升。成千上万像刘毅一样的食客来到这个鲜为人知的西北城市品尝当地麻辣烫，对此当地餐馆老板甚至有些招架不住。这一盛况也为当地经济发展作出巨大贡献。These days around 7 am, Ga Haiying's restaurant in Qinzhou district becomes crowded with diners, some still rubbing their sleepy eyes. Earlier, the restaurant would open at 11 am. To serve the surging number of customers, Ga and her family now work from 6:30 am to 10 pm every day. They are too busy to pause for lunch.天水市秦州区嘎海英的餐馆在天水麻辣烫爆火前通常都是上午11点开门。而这些天，早上7点左右餐馆就挤满了食客，不少食客甚至还睡眼惺忪。为了服务激增的顾客，嘎海英和她的家人需要每天从早上6:点半工作到晚上10点，生意繁忙甚至都无暇吃午饭。"I have sold malatang for 30 years," Ga said. "I never dreamed that one day it would be so popular." Recently, more than 1,000 customers have been trooping into her restaurant daily, despite an average waiting time of about two hours. The restaurant's revenue has tripled.嘎海英说：“我卖麻辣烫卖了30年了，做梦也没想到有一天它会这么火爆。” 最近，前来的游客平均要等近两个小时才能吃上饭，尽管如此，每天仍有超过千名顾客涌入她的餐厅。餐厅的收入是原来的三倍。Ma Yulin, a malatang restaurant owner in the city's Maiji district, said that over the last 10 days, the establishment was packed with diners, more than half of whom were from other cities. Many young customers not only come to eat but also take photos. Ma has hired more workers and added seats to cut the waiting time.天水市麦积区一家麻辣烫餐馆老板马玉林说，过去10天，店里挤满了食客，其中一半以上来自外地。很多年轻顾客不仅来吃饭还拍照。为此，他专门多雇佣了服务员并增加了座位以减少顾客等待时间。"I'm exhausted," he said. "I'm overwhelmed that our malatang is suddenly recognized by so many."马玉林表示：“这几天真是累坏了，想不到我们的麻辣烫突然得到这么多人的喜欢”。In a typical malatang restaurant, customers select fresh food items, strung on skewers and hand them over to the chef. The chosen ingredients are boiled in the broth and then scooped into a bowl, with or without the original soup, depending on the customers' preferences. With two spoonfuls of oil and pepper drizzled on top, the bowls fairly burst with flavor.在吃麻辣烫时，通常由顾客自己选择想吃的串串，厨师会用高汤烫煮熟所选食材，舀入碗中，可自行选择加或不加原汤，最后淋上两勺辣油和胡椒粉，香气扑鼻而来，让人垂涎三尺。Since early March, videos and photos of Tianshui malatang have been going viral on social media platforms. It all started when a netizen released a seven-second video on Feb 13 that garnered millions of views. More vloggers followed suit, and then the tourists began to arrive in droves.自3月初以来，天水麻辣烫相关的视频和照片在社交媒体平台上十分火爆。最开始是一位网友于2月13日发布了一段7秒的视频，获得了数百万次观看。其他视频博主纷纷效仿，游客也开始成群结队地涌来。Within a month, bookings for hotel rooms in Tianshui had quadrupled year-on-year, according to Ctrip, an online travel platform. Qinzhou district, where most malatang restaurants and attractions are located, received more than 770,000 tourists, local authorities said.据线上旅游平台携程网数据，最近一个月，天水的酒店客房预订量同比增长了四倍。当地政府表示，聚集着大量数麻辣烫餐厅和景点的秦州区接待游客超过77万人次。Lei Hongliang, director of the Tianshui Catering Industry Association, said the special pepper used in the dish is key to the unique flavor. Gangu pepper — from the city's Gangu county — is nationally recognized. It tastes good, but is not as spicy as some other types.天水市餐饮行业协会会长雷鸿亮表示，这道菜所用的特制辣椒给这道大众小吃注入了独有的“天水味道”。产自天水市甘谷县的甘谷辣椒是全国著名的辣椒品种，红而不辣，味道鲜香。To increase the popularity of malatang, he suggested maintaining a stable price and standardized flavor to "make Tianshui flavor a distinctive brand". Each bowl on average costs about 21 yuan ($2.95).为了提高天水麻辣烫的知名度，雷鸿亮建议统一口味标准、同时要稳住价格，将天水风味打造成特色品牌。目前当地麻辣烫每碗平均售价约为21元。Tianshui has adopted measures to better serve tourists. Tourists arriving by train are greeted by welcome banners and offered free bus rides. Free parking lots are provided to motorists. Some workers from local scenic attractions distribute tickets and give out mascot or gifts at the malatang restaurants.此外，天水市还多措并举，努力提升服务质量。乘火车抵达的游客会看到准备的欢迎横幅，并可免费乘坐巴士。为驾车者提供免费停车场。当地景区的一些工作人员在麻辣烫餐厅分发门票、赠送吉祥物或礼物。The city's attractions include the Maijishan Grottoes, a UNESCO world cultural heritage site, the temple of Fuxi — the legendary ancestor of the Chinese nation — and Nanshan Mountain.该市的景点包括被联合国教科文组织列为世界文化遗产的麦积山石窟、中华民始祖伏羲庙和南山。Feng

Authorities have moved to tighten oversight of the rapidly expanding semi-prepared food industry, ironing out definitions of precooked dishes and rolling out rules on the use of additives in the sector to ensure food safety.针对快速扩张的预制菜行业中国政府已采取行动，加强监管力度，明确了预制菜的定义，并推出了行业添加剂使用规则，以确保食品安全。Restaurants are also being encouraged to identify dishes on their menus that include semi-prepared ingredients, a move that experts say will help customers make informed decisions.还鼓励餐厅在菜单标明包含半成品食材的菜肴，专家表示此举将帮助顾客做出明智的决定。The reforms, led by the State Administration for Market Regulation, which oversees product quality and consumer rights, were outlined in a circular issued on Thursday by six government agencies.3月21日，六家政府机构发布通知，介绍了此次预制菜行业改革，此次改革由负责监督产品质量和消费者权利的国家市场监督管理总局牵头。Share prices of companies involved in the semi-prepared food sector fell by an average of 2 percent on the A-share market on Monday because of the strengthened oversight. Industry insiders said the rules were the first to clarify the definition of semi-prepared food and set out safety and quality standards for the multibillion yuan industry.3月25日，由于监管力度加强，A股市场半成品食品公司股价平均下跌2%。业内人士表示，该规定首次明确了半成品食品的定义，并为这个价值数十亿元的行业制定了安全和质量标准。China has more than 70,000 companies making food items that have undergone some preparation but are not fully cooked or ready to eat, according to Xinhua News Agency. Their output value topped 500 billion yuan ($69.4 million) last year and is on track to surpass 1 trillion yuan in a few years, it said.据新华社报道，中国有超过70,000家企业生产经过一定处理但尚未完全煮熟或即食的食品。去年其产值突破5000亿元，并有望在几年内突破1万亿元。The new rules differentiate between semi-prepared food — also known as prepackaged meals — and other food items, such as instant noodles, frozen dumplings and salads. They say semi-prepared food must be a dish that can be consumed after simple preparations such as heating or boiling.新规区将预制食品（也称为预包装食品）和其他食品做了区分，例如方便面、冷冻饺子和沙拉。他们说，预知食品必须是经过简单准备（例如加热或煮沸）后即可食用的菜肴。Experts said makers of frozen foods such as dumplings and hamburgers will no longer be regarded as being semi-prepared food businesses, and will be unable to ignore regulations in their own sector or enjoy preferential policies tailor-made for semi-prepared food makers. They said the generalization of the concept of semi-prepared food had previously created regulatory difficulties.专家表示，饺子、汉堡包等冷冻食品生产企业将不再被视为预制菜企业，要接受其真正所属行业的监管，不能享受针对预制菜生产企业的优惠政策。他们表示，此前预制菜概念的泛化造成了一定监管困难。Zhang Chunhui, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences' Institute of Food Science and Technology, told Xinhua the rules raised the threshold for manufacturers and separated semi-prepared food from other business models, such as those processing and packaging pre-cut uncooked vegetables and meat, or "central kitchens" that prepare and distribute food to satellite kitchens, restaurants, or cafeterias to reduce costs and ensure uniformity.中国农业科学院食品科学技术研究所研究员张春辉告诉新华社，该规定提高了生产企业的门槛，并将半成品食品与其他商业模式分开。后者包括负责加工和包装预切未加工蔬菜和肉类的企业，以及负责准备食物并将其分发到卫星厨房、餐馆和自助餐厅，以降低成本并保证菜品质量的“中央厨房”。In a media release issued on Monday, an unnamed official with the State Administration for Market Regulation said ready-to-eat foods that do not require heating or cooking, as well as cold dishes such as vegetables or fruit salads that can be consumed directly, are not considered semi-prepared dishes. The official said semi-prepared food is an emerging sector that has integrated agriculture, manufacturing and service industries and boasts a sprawling supply chain. It is significant in promoting the deep processing of agricultural products, transforming the food industry, consumer upgrading, entrepreneurship and employment.国家市场监管总局一位官员表示，不需要加热或烹饪的即食食品，以及可以直接食用的蔬菜、水果沙拉等冷菜，不属于预制菜。预制菜行业是集农业、制造业、服务业为一体的新兴产业，拥有庞大的供应链。这对于推动农产品深加工、食品产业转型、消费升级、创业就业具有重要意义。The circular also addressed rising food safety concerns in the sector, where poor quality raw materials and banned food additives are harder to spot after being processed. It said preservatives shall be prohibited in the making of semi-prepared food items, which shall be subject to strict storage conditions related to freezing, refrigeration and sterilization. The use of additives must be strictly controlled, along with the quality of other raw materials.因为劣质原材料和禁用食品添加剂在加工后更难被发现，所以预制菜行业的食品安全问题越来越得到人们的关注。针对这一问题，该通知也做出了相关规定：预制菜制作过程中不得使用防腐剂，应当遵守严格的冷冻、冷藏和灭菌等储存条件。添加剂的使用以及其他原材料的质量必须受到严格控制。The increased focus on food safety followed media reports on March 15 — World Consumer Rights Daythat companies in Anhui province, a stronghold of semi-prepared food makers, had used cheaper meat from the necks of pigs to make a precooked dish that should have contained pork belly. The companies involved have been shut down and their owners detained.3月15日世界消费者权益日，有媒体报道称，安徽省的一家大型预制菜企业使用更便宜的猪颈肉来代替五花肉制作梅菜扣肉预制菜。报道发出后，食品安全问题受到越来越多的关注。涉事公司已被关闭，其所有者被拘留。Semi-prepared food grew in popularity during COVID-19 pandemic, when white-collar employees worked from home and cooked for themselves. The products were also embraced by re

The four individuals directly involved in the Moscow concert hall attack have been charged with terrorism, local media reported on Monday.3月25日，据俄国当地媒体报道，直接参与莫斯科音乐厅袭击事件的四人已被指控犯有恐怖主义罪。A Moscow district court sent all the four suspects, identified as citizens of Tajikistan, to pre-trial detention. They will remain in custody until May 22, Russia's TASS news agency reported.莫斯科地区法院将所有四名嫌疑人（确认为塔吉克斯坦公民）送审前拘留。据俄罗斯塔斯社报道，他们将被拘留至5月22日。On Friday night, gunmen fired indiscriminately at concertgoers at Crocus City Hall in suburban Moscow, leaving at least 137 people dead. A large blaze later led to the collapse of the building's roof.3月22日晚上，持枪歹徒在莫斯科郊区克罗库斯市政厅向音乐会观众无差别开枪，造成至少137人死亡。随后发生大火，音乐厅屋顶被烧毁。Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address that preliminary investigation showed the Ukrainian side was preparing a "window" for the perpetrators to cross the border. He promised to identify and punish all those behind the attack and declared March 24 a day of national mourning.俄罗斯总统弗拉基米尔·普京在电视讲话中表示，初步调查显示乌克兰为肇事者越境准备了“窗口”。总统做出承诺，将查明并惩罚所有袭击事件的幕后黑手，并将3月24日定为全国哀悼日。day of national mourning全国哀悼日indiscriminately英 /ˌɪn.dɪˈskrɪm.ɪ.nət.li/美/ˌɪn.dɪˈskrɪm.ə.nət.li/adv.无差别地

More Hong Kong people at home and abroad voiced their strong objection to the smears by some Western politicians on the city's national security ordinance, which will take effect on Saturday.针对一些西方政客对将于3月23日生效的香港国家安全条例的抹黑，越来越多的海内外香港民众表示强烈反对。Hong Kong's legislature approved the long-awaited Safeguarding National Security Ordinance on Tuesday. The ordinance, legislated under Article 23 of the Basic Law, was created to prevent and punish five types of acts endangering national security in Hong Kong, including treason, insurrection and espionage.3月19日，香港立法机关批准了期待已久的《维护国家安全条例》。该条例是根据《基本法》第二十三条制定的，旨在防止和惩治叛国罪、暴乱罪、间谍罪等五类危害香港国家安全的行为。Following its passage in the Legislative Council, some Western politicians and organizations have groundlessly criticized the law, saying that it may restrict Hong Kong's freedom and human rights and undermine the city's long-standing advantages. Among the detractors are United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Cameron, former British governor of Hong Kong Chris Patten, Vedant Patel, a spokesman for the United States Department of State, and Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.该法通过后，一些西方政客和组织无端批评该法，称该法可能限制香港的自由和人权，损害香港的长期优势。其中包括英国外交大臣戴维·卡梅伦、英国前港督彭定康、美国国务院发言人韦丹特·帕特尔和日本外务省。Representatives from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region attended the 55th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Switzerland on Wednesday, rebutting the defamation and smearing of the ordinance.3月20日，香港特区代表出席在瑞士举行的联合国人权理事会第55届常会，严厉斥责对该条例的诽谤和抹黑。Horace Cheung Kwok-kwan, the SAR's deputy secretary for justice, told the UN council that the ordinance will better protect the country and the city from genuine threats to national security amid increasingly intricate geopolitics.香港特别行政区律政司副秘书长张国钧向联合国理事会表示，在地缘政治日益复杂的情况下，该条例将保证国家安全和香港地区稳定发展。Stressing that the ordinance will strictly adhere to the principles of international law and practices, Cheung said there are appropriate exceptions and defenses, and he reiterated that people's rights and freedoms will be fully protected in accordance with the law. Edmond Sy Hon-ming, vice-chairman of the Hong Kong CPPCC Youth Association and a legal professional, delivered a speech by video to the UN meeting.张国钧强调，条例将严格遵守国际法原则和惯例，并设有适当的例外和抗辩，坚定不移地确保人民的权利和自由将依法得到充分保障。香港政协青年会副主席、法律界人士施汉明在联合国会议上通过视频致辞。Sy said Hong Kong people still vividly remember the unprecedented social unrest in 2019, emphasizing that a robust legal framework is necessary to safeguard national security and protect people's lives and property as well as their human rights and freedom of speech.施汉明表示，香港人对2019年前所未有的社会动荡仍记忆犹新，必须有健全的法律框架来维护国家安全、保护人民生命财产、人权和言论自由。Hong Kong experienced more than 150 years of colonial rule, and the residents do not want the city to be plagued by an unstable social environment again, Sy said. He added that numerous places around the world have regulations to safeguard national security, because every country has the responsibility to protect the safety and property of its residents.施汉明说道，香港经历了150多年的殖民统治，居民不希望香港再次受到不稳定的社会环境的困扰。世界上很多地方都有维护国家安全的规定，因为每个国家都有责任保护本国居民的安全和财产。Also addressing the council by video, Jonathan Chow Yuen-kuk, a newly elected district councilor in Hong Kong, said that since the National Security Law for Hong Kong was implemented in 2020, the city has been gradually moving toward stability. Chow said his experiences have taught him that national security is the foundation of social stability, adding that his work in the community can now focus on further improving residents' quality of life. He also invited everyone to visit Hong Kong to witness its vibrancy and safety.新当选的香港区议员周润谷也在视频中向立法会致辞，他谈到自2020年香港国安法实施以来，香港逐步走向稳定。过去的经历让他明白国家安全是社会稳定的基础。并提出建议，现在在社区的工作可以致力于进一步改善居民的生活质量。最后还邀请大家到访香港，见证香港的活力和安全。At home, representatives from various sectors expressed their objection to and condemnation of Western countries' smear campaign.国内各界代表对西方国家的抹黑行为表示反对和谴责。On Thursday afternoon, the city's biggest political party — the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong — protested with banners and placards outside the British consulate general in Hong Kong, strongly condemning UK Foreign Secretary Cameron's remarks.3月21日下午，香港最大政党民主建港联盟在英国驻香港总领事馆外拉横幅和标语进行抗议，强烈谴责英国外交大臣卡梅伦的言论。The DAB said the smooth passage of the ordinance fully demonstrates the Hong Kong people's support for the legislation and their consensus on the significance of national security.民建联表示，《条例》的顺利通过，充分体现了香港民众对立法的支持以及对国家安全重要性的共识。In a rally outside the consulate general of the United States in Hong Kong, members of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, the SAR's largest labor union, expressed strong dissatisfaction with Patel's accusation that the legislation will hinder Hong Kong's openness to the international community. The FTU believes that the ordinance will create a good business environment for Hong Kong and attract investment in the city, including that of foreign-funded enterprises.在美国驻香港总领事馆外举行的集会中，特区最大工会香港工联会成员对帕特尔指责该法案将阻碍香港向国际社会开放表示强烈不满。工联会相信该条例将为香港创造良好的营商环境，吸引投资，包括外资企

Officials strongly condemned some Western politicians on Wednesday for criticizing Hong Kong's new national security law, saying the attacks cannot stop the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region from achieving greater success.3月20日，香港官员就西方政客抹黑《维护国家安全条例草案》的言论发表强烈谴责，称这些言论不能阻止香港特别行政区取得进一步发展。The SAR will enforce the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance on Saturday after it was unanimously cleared by the Legislative Council on Tuesday. The law has been created to prevent and punish five types of acts endangering national security, including treason, theft of State secrets and espionage.3月19日，《维护国家安全条例草案》获得立法会一致通过，将于3月23日执行。该法旨在预防和惩治叛国罪、窃取国家秘密罪、间谍罪等五种危害国家安全的行为。Some Western politicians have been critical of the ordinance, claiming that it will undermine Hong Kong's freedom. Among those who have been critical are David Cameron, the foreign secretary of the United Kingdom and Josep Borrell, high representative for foreign affairs and security policy of the European Union.一些西方政客对该条例提出批评，称其将损害香港的自由。其中包括英国外交大臣戴维·卡梅伦和欧盟外交事务和安全政策高级代表何塞普·博雷尔。The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday said it is firmly opposed to some countries and organizations denigrating and smearing the SAR's national security ordinance.3月20日，中国外交部表示，坚决反对一些国家和组织抹黑抹黑香港国家安全条例。At the Foreign Ministry's regular news conference, spokesman Lin Jian said the ordinance is a milestone in the development of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong. It helps the city fulfill its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding national security, and further strengthens the security foundation for Hong Kong's development, Lin said. Lin stressed that any attack and smear on the ordinance is destined to be in vain.在外交部例行记者会上，发言人林健表示，该条例是香港“一国两制”发展的里程碑。这有利于香港履行维护国家安全的宪制责任，进一步夯实香港发展的安全基础。任何对条例的攻击和抹黑都注定是徒劳的。In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Commissioner's Office of the Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong refuted Cameron's remarks, emphasizing the new security law, legislated under Article 23 of the Basic Law, will not affect Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy, and will fully protect the normal activities of foreign institutions and personnel in the SAR.3月20日，外交部驻港特派员公署发言人发表严厉声明，驳斥卡梅伦的言论，强调根据基本法第二十三条制定的新国安法不会影响香港的高度自治并将全力保障外国机构和人员在特区的正常活动。The spokesperson noted that the Sino-British Joint Declaration does not give the UK any right to interfere in Hong Kong affairs after the city's return to the motherland in 1997. He urged the British politicians to give up the illusion of continuing to peddle colonial influence in the city, and stop interfering in the internal affairs of China and the SAR.发言人指出，香港自1997年回归后，《中英联合声明》并没有赋予英国任何干涉香港事务的权利。他敦促英国政客放弃继续在香港兜售殖民影响力的幻想。停止干涉中国内政和特别行政区的内政。In a separate statement, the commissioner's office urged the EU to face up to Hong Kong people's broad support for the legislation, saying the ordinance is set to provide strong legal protection for the city's high-quality development and opening-up, better safeguard the properties of local residents, boost the confidence of local and overseas investors, and create a safer, and a more convenient and efficient business environment.公署在另一份声明中敦促欧盟正视香港民众对立法的广泛支持，称该条例旨在为香港高质量发展和对外开放提供强有力的法律保障，更好地保护财产增强当地和境外投资者信心，营造更安全、更便捷、更高效的营商环境。The HKSAR government too on Wednesday condemned some Western countries, organizations and politicians for continuously making slanderous, highly misleading and false statements on the ordinance.港府也对一些西方国家、组织和政客不断就该条例发表诽谤性、高度误导性和虚假言论发表强烈谴责。A spokesperson for the SAR government emphasized that the ordinance was broadly supported by various sectors in Hong Kong, helping the city effectively prevent, stop and punish acts that endanger national security.特区政府发言人强调，该条例得到香港各界广泛支持，有利于香港有效预防、制止和惩治危害国家安全的行为。Chris Tang Ping-keung, the secretary for security, said that only those who want to undermine the city do not want Hong Kong to have a law to protect national security. Experts familiar with Hong Kong affairs also criticized the smear campaign. Grenville Cross, senior counsel and former director of public prosecutions of the Hong Kong SAR, said some Western politicians only view the ordinance as a stick to beat Hong Kong with.保安局局长邓炳强表示，只有那些想破坏香港的人才不希望香港有一部维护国家安全的法律。香港事务专家也对抹黑行为提出批评。香港特别行政区高级律师、前检察长格伦维尔·克罗斯表示，一些西方政客只把该条例视为打击香港的大棒。He pointed out that the primary allegation is that it threatened human rights. On the contrary, Cross said the ordinance spares no effort to protect human rights, which goes further than any law in other common law jurisdictions such as Australia, Canada, the UK and the United States.克罗斯指出，西方主要指控是新条例威胁人权。但该条例反而是在不遗余力地保护人权，这比澳大利亚、加拿大、英国和美国等其他普通法司法管辖区的任何法律都更进一步。British political and international relations analyst Tom Fowdy said that there is a persistent view that the city cannot make national security laws but only accept Western backed political interference. Fowdy called the view "nonsensical", saying that only those who have attempted to weaponize the city against China violate the city's long-standin

Beijing will continue to enhance its business environment to attract investment by introducing a series of foreigner-friendly measures and strengthen international exchanges, amid its comprehensive efforts to promote high-quality development.Yin Yong, mayor of Beijing, made the statement at a news conference held by the State Council Information Office on Tuesday morning."We know that creating a favorable business environment is the greatest support for enterprises," he said. "Beijing has taken various measures and listened to the opinions and suggestions from enterprises."For instance, during the past weekend, the city's senior officials visited companies such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, Meituan and Alibaba in Beijing to better know their needs.On Thursday, Beijing will hold an international meeting at which the mayor will engage in face-to-face discussions with leaders of over a dozen internationally renowned multinational companies, listening to their insights on Beijing's business environment."We deeply understand that the business environment can always be improved, and there is no 'best', only 'better'," Yin said.According to the city government, in recent years, Beijing has implemented over 1,200 reform measures to improve the business environment, reducing procedures by over 60 percent."In the next step, we will focus on enhancing the sense of satisfaction for enterprises, striving to build the 'Beijing Service' brand for the business sector," he added.Beijing's efforts have won support from many big brands and companies.Zhou Xing from PricewaterhouseCoopers said that since its first permanent representative office was set up in Beijing in 1981, it has expanded investments in the capital to now have more than 5,500 employees in four offices, according to Beijing Daily."We look forward to more enterprises, entrepreneurs and investors coming to China, to Beijing, to truly experience the current multidimensional development," Zhou said, adding that the company will continue to play its role as a bridge, promoting the convergence of various domestic and international standards and assisting in promoting the sustainable development of Beijing.Furthermore, Xia Linmao, the city's executive vice-mayor, said at the news conference that Beijing will make greater efforts to address the concerns of foreign friends.For instance, in payment methods, Beijing will focus on enhancing the convenience of the use of cash, foreign bank cards and electronic payments, he said.Also, in areas with many foreign residents such as Chaoyang district and the sub city-center in Tongzhou district, efforts will be made to accelerate the construction of international schools and hospitals."Additionally, the process for handling mobile phone cards both online and offline will be further improved for foreigners," he added.At both Beijing Capital International Airport and Daxing International Airport, the authorities have established service centers for overseas visitors' payments, and plan to expand the construction of the service centers to enable visitors to enjoy more integrated services such as tourism, transportation and telecommunications upon their arrival.In another development, Yu Yingjie, Party secretary of the Beijing Municipal Education Commission, introduced a coming national-level event — the 2024 Zhongguancun Forum, which will be held for the first time at its newly constructed permanent venue from April 25 to 29."UNESCO will participate as a supporting unit at the forum for the first time", Yu said. "The forum will be even more internationalized, with more fruitful results."So far, 28 events have been organized at the forum, focusing on widely discussed topics such as large-scale model applications, cell and gene therapy, and quantum computing.Reporter: Du Juan

The recent arrest of three boys who allegedly killed a middle school student has once again turned public attention on juvenile delinquents, sparking debates and discussions on the plight of left-behind children.近日，三名涉嫌杀害中学生的男孩被捕，再次引发了公众对青少年犯罪的关注，引发了关于留守儿童困境的争论和讨论。The victim, surnamed Wang, was a seventh-grade student in Feixiang district of Handan, Hebei province. He was killed on March 10, and all suspects were taken into custody the next day, according to an official statement released on Sunday night by the district's joint working group.根据该地区联合工作组3月18日晚间发布的官方声明，王姓受害人是河北省邯郸市肥乡区七年级学生。于3月10日被杀，所有嫌疑人均于案发第二天被拘留。Local authorities are making all-out efforts to comfort the bereaved family and handle the aftermath of the killing, and work regarding all aspects is proceeding in an orderly manner, the statement said. It added that judicial departments will punish the perpetrators of the crime in accordance with the law, and urged residents not to believe or spread rumors, in order to avoid causing further harm to the involved families and to protect the privacy of the victim.声明称，当地正在全力安抚遇难者家属和做好善后工作，各方面工作正在有序推进。司法部门将依法惩处肇事者，并呼吁广大居民不信谣、不传谣，以免给涉案家庭造成进一步伤害，并保护受害人的隐私。Details of why and how the killing happened were not disclosed in the statement. It also doesn't mention the exact age of the boys involved, or say whether the suspects in custody include any adults.声明中没有透露杀戮发生的原因和方式的细节。它还没有提及涉案男孩的确切年龄，也没有说明被拘留的嫌疑人是否包括成年人。According to some Chinese media reports, the victim, age 13, studied in a local middle school and went missing on March 10. His body was found the next day, buried in a vegetable greenhouse in the district's Zhangzhuang village, about 100 meters from the house of one of the three suspects.据一些中国媒体报道，年仅13岁的受害人在当地一所中学读书，3月10日失踪。案发第二天，尸体被发现埋在肥乡县张庄村的一个蔬菜大棚里，事发地距离嫌疑人之一的房子约100米。It is alleged that the accused, who went to the same school and are all under the age of 14, bullied the victim for a long time. Media reports said they are children of migrant workers.据称，嫌疑人和受害人属同一所学校的学生，年龄都在14岁以下，长期欺凌受害人。媒体报道称，他们是农民工的子女。The story of "a student being killed by his three classmates" went viral on Chinese social media platforms, triggering public concern about juvenile victims as well as offenders.“一名学生被三名同学杀害”的故事在中国社交媒体平台上疯传，引发了公众对青少年受害者和犯罪者的关注。Xu Hao, a lawyer at Beijing Jingsh Law Firm, said the suspects might not be exempted from criminal punishment in the case, even if they are minors. He cited the amended Criminal Law to explain that the age of criminal liability in China has been lowered to 12, in order to prevent children from committing serious offenses.北京京师律师事务所律师徐浩表示，本案犯罪嫌疑人即使是未成年人，也可能不能免除刑事处罚。他援引修改后的《刑法》解释，我国刑事责任年龄已降至12岁，以防止儿童实施严重犯罪。Before the Criminal Law was amended, the age of criminal liability was higher, with offenders ages 14 to 16 held criminally responsible if they committed serious and violent crimes, including intentional homicide, intentional injury, robbery or rape.刑法修改前，刑事责任年龄略高，已满十四周岁不满十六周岁的人，犯故意杀人、故意伤害、抢劫、强奸等严重暴力犯罪的，要负刑事责任。The amended law states that offenders ages 12 to 14 will face criminal punishment for intentional homicide, or intentional injury that leads to death or severely disables others, but it clarifies that the decision to prosecute must be approved by the Supreme People's Procuratorate.修改后的法律规定，12周岁以上14周岁以下的犯罪分子犯故意杀人罪、故意伤害致人死亡或者严重致残的，将受到刑事处罚，但明确了提起公诉的决定必须经最高人民检察院批准。Luo Xiang, a professor at China University of Political Science and Law, posted a comment on the case on his personal social media account on Saturday, saying that necessary punishment should be given to minors who commit violent crimes, because a "transformative effect could only be achieved through punishment".3月17日，中国政法大学教授罗翔在其个人社交媒体账户上对此案发表评论称，对实施暴力犯罪的未成年人应给予必要的惩罚，因为“只有惩罚才能带来改造的效果”。Zhao Li, another lawyer from Beijing Jingsh Law Firm, said that China decided to lower the age of criminal liability to 12 under special circumstances as it witnessed a number of serious and violent crimes committed by children in recent years.北京京师律师事务所律师赵力表示，由于近年来发生了多起儿童严重暴力犯罪案件，中国有条件地将刑事责任年龄起点降低到十二周岁。However, he emphasized that whether the suspects in the Handan case can be held criminally liable still depends on an approval from the procuratorate, as required by law. In other words, Chinese judicial authorities are prudent when handling juvenile crimes, he said.但他强调，邯郸案犯罪嫌疑人能否追究刑事责任，仍需根据法律规定，经检察院批准。由此可见，中国司法当局在处理青少年犯罪时是谨慎的。Highlighting the principle of "education first, punishment second" when handling juvenile offenses, Chinese prosecutors in 2023 approved the arrest of 27,000 juvenile suspects and decided not to arrest 38,000 others. They prosecuted 39,000 minor suspects and decided not to prosecute 40,000 others, according to data from the procuratorate.坚持教育第一、惩罚第二的原则办理未成年人犯罪，2023年，中国检察机关批准逮捕未成年犯罪嫌疑人2.7万人，决定不逮捕3.8万人。根据检察院的数据，他们起诉了3.9万名未成年犯罪嫌疑人，决定不起诉其他4万名犯罪嫌疑人。While calling for prudence in the fight against juvenile crime, the lawyers also suggested including government agencies, schools, social organizations and

President Xi Jinping reiterated on Monday China's commitment to advancing the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era to benefit the two countries and their people as he congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin on his reelection.In a congratulatory message, Xi said that the Russian people have been united as one to overcome challenges and make steady progress in national development and revitalization in recent years.Xi told Putin that his reelection fully demonstrated the Russian people's support for him and said he believes Russia will surely make greater achievements in national development and construction under Putin's leadership.Russia's Central Election Commission said on Monday that Putin had won his fifth term with a record number of votes. With nearly 100 percent of all precincts counted, Putin got 87.29 percent of the vote.Speaking at a news conference following the completion of the presidential elections early on Monday morning, Putin said the Russia-China relationship is a stabilizing factor in the Eurasian region and expressed his confidence that bilateral collaboration will continue to strengthen in the coming years."The most important thing is the coincidence of state interests. This creates a very good tone for solving common problems in the field of international relations," he said.Putin said China is very active in the international arena, is achieving great success and has a lot of friends all over the world.On China's economy, Putin said: "China is developing by leaps and bounds, at a fast pace, very confidently, and what is very important is that the structure of China's economy is changing toward innovation, toward making the economy more innovative. And we are trying to do the same within the country. We face exactly the same tasks in Russia."This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia. The trade volume between the two countries reached a record-breaking $240 billion in 2023, a year ahead of the time set to hit the target of $200 billion.In recent years, Xi and Putin have met on more than 40 occasions. In March 2023, Xi chose Russia as the destination of his first overseas trip of the year. In October, Putin came to Beijing for the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, marking the third consecutive time that he attended the forum.Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui said, "We are glad to see Mr Putin has gained firm support from the Russian people during the presidential election, and under his leadership, Russia will continue to take the path that suits its national conditions."Zhang said that China is willing to work together with Russia to firmly implement the strategic consensus of the two heads of state, support and closely cooperate with each other on the road to the modernization of their respective countries, and promote the greater and stronger development of China-Russia relations.Observers from both countries said that relations between China and Russia will remain close and stable after the reelection of Putin, given their current close cooperation and communication at different levels.Li Yonghui, a researcher of Russian studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the two countries are expected to further strengthen their political mutual trust during Putin's new term."China and Russia will also expand their strategic coordination on the global stage, elevate their relations with developing countries and play a bigger role in the Global South," she said.Alexander Dynkin, president of the Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences, said trust and mutual understanding between the two leaders facilitate mutual support on the most important security and development issues between China and Russia."Russia-China relations have become a factor of global stability and a true example of a relationship between two major countries. Russia and China are not allies, but they trust each other more than average participants of Western formal alliances," Dynkin said.Kirill Babaev, director of the Institute of China and Modern Asia at the Russian Academy of Sciences, said China and Russia have maintained close cooperation and communication at different levels.The new administration will continue to coordinate with China in various aspects, especially some nontraditional fields, such as infrastructure construction, biotech and the development of new energy, he said.Reporter: Mo Jingxi, Ren QiXinhua contributed to this story.

In a widely criticized move, the United States House of Representatives approved a bill on Wednesday giving TikTok's parent company ByteDance about six months to divest the US assets of the video app or face a ban. According to several US experts, the bill could stall when it goes to the Senate and could also be challenged in court.2024年3月13日，美国众议院通过了一项法案，要求TikTok的母公司字节跳动在6个月内剥离其在美国的资产，否则将面临禁令，此举受到广泛批评。据几位美国专家称，该法案在提交参议院时可能会停滞不前，也可能在法庭上受到质疑。"Although the House passed the bill in a 352-65 vote seeking to ban TikTok in the United States, those favoring the ban still face an uphill battle in the Senate and, probably, in court," Mei Gechlik, founder and CEO of Sinotalks, a think tank and consultancy, told China Daily.智库和咨询公司丝络谈™顾问委员会（Sinotalks）的创始人兼首席执行官熊美英博士（Mei Gechlik）在接受《中国日报》采访时表示：“尽管众议院以352票对65票通过了该法案，企图在美国禁止抖音，但支持该禁令的人仍将在参议院面临一场艰苦的战斗，而且很可能还会发生在法庭上。”The bill represents the latest efforts by US lawmakers to force a sale of TikTok or ban it from app stores. The legislation has been passed by the House but still must clear the US Senate. US President Joe Biden said he would sign the legislation if it is approved by Congress.该法案代表了美国立法者迫使TikTok出售或禁止其进入应用商店的最新努力。该法案已在众议院获得通过，但仍需在参议院获得通过。美国总统拜登表示，如果国会通过该法案，他将签署该法案。Unlike the House, the Senate includes Republican and Democrat leaders opposed to or doubtful about the bill for various reasons, including concerns over free speech, Gechlik said.熊美英博士说，与众议院不同，参议院包括共和党和民主党领导人，他们出于各种原因反对或怀疑该法案，其中包括对言论自由的担忧。"Such concerns could also lead to challenges in court, as multiple groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, have suggested potential First Amendment violations," she added.她补充说：“这种担忧也可能导致法庭上的挑战，因为包括美国公民自由联盟(American Civil Liberties Union)在内的多个团体都认为，这可能违反了第一修正案。”Sourabh Gupta, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Institute for China-America Studies, told China Daily, "TikTok's situation is unique because it engages the US Constitution's First Amendment rights too.总部位于华盛顿的中美研究所高级研究员苏拉布·古普塔告诉《中国日报》，“TikTok的情况是独特的，因为它也涉及美国宪法第一修正案的权利。"This could lead to it stalling in the US Senate, as senators examine the underlying national security argument as well as the precedent of potentially banning a platform of information and exchange of views. And it takes very few in the Senate to stall a piece of legislation."这可能导致它在美国参议院陷入僵局，因为参议员们正在审查潜在的国家安全论点，以及可能禁止信息和交换意见平台的先例。参议院只需很少的人就能阻止一项立法。”TikTok said in a statement on Wednesday that its attention will now shift to the Senate. It criticized House lawmakers' fast-tracking of the bill and their decision to hold a closed-door briefing for members that highlighted the app's purported national security risks.TikTok在周三的一份声明中表示，其注意力现在将转移到参议院。TikTok批评了众议院议员对该法案的快速跟进，以及他们决定为议员举行闭门简报会，强调了该应用程序所谓的国家安全风险。"This process was secret and the bill was jammed through for one reason: it's a ban," a TikTok spokesperson said in a statement. "We are hopeful that the Senate will consider the facts, listen to their constituents and realize the impact on the economy, the 7 million small businesses and the 170 million Americans who use our service."TikTok的一位发言人在一份声明中说：“这个过程是秘密的，该法案被强行通过的原因只有一个：它是一项禁令。我们希望参议院能够考虑事实，听取选民的意见，并意识到这对经济、700万小企业和1.7亿使用我们服务的美国人的影响。”Speaking about the developments, Democratic Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said, "These fields are evolving and changing so rapidly that you can do a lot of damage by moving too quickly or without the facts."俄勒冈州民主党参议员、参议院财政委员会(Senate Finance Committee)主席罗恩·怀登(Ron Wyden)在谈到事态发展时说：“这些领域正在迅速发展和变化，如果行动太快或不了解事实，可能会造成很大损害。”Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky raised more concerns. In an opinion piece published on Wednesday in The Courier-Journal of Louisville, Kentucky, he wrote: "I hope saner minds will reflect on which is more dangerous: videos of teenagers dancing or the precedent of the US government banning speech. For me, it's an easy answer, I will defend the Bill of Rights against all comers, even, if need be, from members of my own party."肯塔基州共和党参议员兰德·保罗提出了更多的担忧。周三，他在肯塔基州路易斯维尔的《信使报》上发表了一篇评论文章，他写道：“我希望更理智的人能反思一下，青少年跳舞的视频和美国政府禁止言论的先例，哪个更危险。对我来说，答案很简单，我将捍卫《人权法案》，反对所有人，甚至，如果有必要，反对我自己政党的成员。”He added: "If you don't like TikTok or Facebook or YouTube, don't use them. But don't think any interpretation of the Constitution gives you the right to ban them."他补充说：“如果你不喜欢TikTok、Facebook或YouTube，就不要使用它们。但不要认为宪法的任何解释都给了你禁止它们的权利。”Paul also posted on X: "Reactionaries who want to ban TikTok claim the data can't be secured because the 'algorithm' is in China. Not true. The truth is the algorithm runs in the US in oracle cloud with their review of the code."保罗还在X上发帖称:“想要禁止TikTok的反动派声称数据无法保护，因为‘算法’在中国。不是这样的。事实是，该算法在美国的甲骨文云上运行，他们对代码进行了审查。”TikTok also could challenge the legislation in court, arguing that it violates the First Amendment of the US Constitution. After Montana banned TikTok last year, a federal judge blocked the state's measure, citing free speech concerns.TikTok还可以在法庭上挑战这项立法，认为它违反了美国宪法第一修正案。去年蒙大拿州禁止TikTok后，一名联邦法官以言论自由为由阻止了该州的措施。Critics also accused

The prevalence of myopia among Chinese children and teenagers was showing a decline, according to the statistics released by the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration on Wednesday.3月15日，国家疾病预防控制局发布的统计数据显示，中国儿童青少年近视患病率呈下降趋势。The statistics showed that the overall myopia rate among Chinese children and adolescents was 51.9 percent in 2022, a fall of 0.7 percentage points from 52.6 percent in 2021, and also dropped by 1.7 percentage points from the 53.6 percent of the results of the national myopia survey conducted in 2018.统计数据显示，2022年我国儿童青少年总体近视率为51.9%，比2021年的52.6%下降0.7个百分点，也比2018年全国53.6%的近视率下降1.7个百分点。Among the students with myopia, the proportions of mild, moderate, and high myopia were 53.3 percent, 37 percent, and 9.7 percent, respectively, with a drop in the proportion of high myopia.在近视学生中，轻度、中度、高度近视比例分别为53.3%、37%、9.7%，高度近视比例有所下降。The overall myopia rates for primary school, junior high school, and senior high school were 36.7 percent, 71.4 percent, and 81.2 percent, respectively.小学、初中、高中总体近视率分别为36.7%、71.4%、81.2%。According to the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, the country will continue to promote myopia prevention and control work, further strengthening the monitoring and assessment of myopia among children and adolescents. Techniques suitable for myopia prevention and control will be promoted. It will also carry out promotion work to popularize science, enabling students, parents and teachers to learn about how to use and protect eyes, and helping the younger generation develop healthy eye habits.国家疾病预防控制总局表示，国家将继续推进近视防治工作，进一步加强儿童青少年近视监测评估。推广适合近视防治的技术。开展科普宣传工作，让学生、家长和老师了解如何用眼、保护眼睛，帮助年轻一代养成健康的用眼习惯。myopia英/maɪˈəʊ.pi.ə/ 美 /maɪˈoʊ.pi.ə/n.近视popularize 英/ˈpɒp.jə.lə.raɪz/ 美/ˈpɑː.pjə.lə.raɪz/v.普及

China on Thursday slammed the passage of a bill that could see TikTok banned in the United States by the House of Representatives, saying the move "puts the US on the opposite side of the principle of fair competition and international trade rules".此前美国众议院通过一项法案，可能导致TikTok在美国被封禁。3月14日，中国政府对此言辞抗议，称此举“使美国站在公平竞争原则和国际贸易规则的对立面”。The bill, approved on Wednesday by a vote of 352 to 65, calls for TikTok's parent company ByteDance, based in Beijing, to divest itself or the platform will be banned from app stores and web-hosting services in the US.该法案于3月13日以352比65票获得通过，要求TikTok位于北京的母公司字节跳动剥离该业务，否则该平台将被应用商店下降，无法获得网络托管服务。It would preclude the popular social media app from operating in the US under its current ownership. The legislation will next head to the Senate, where its passage is less certain. ByteDance would have a little more than five months to comply from the enactment of the bill.此举将使得这款流行的社交媒体软件无法在当下所有权的情况下在美国运营。该法案接下来将提交参议院，但其通过的可能性还不太确定。该法案颁布后，字节跳动将有五个多月的时间来对此做出调整。"If the so-called national security can be cited at will to bring down other countries' competitive companies, there will be no fairness or justice to speak of," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a daily news conference on Thursday. Wang called the passage of the bill an attempt to "try every means to snatch from others all things that are good".中国外交部发言人汪文斌在周四的例行记者会上表示：“如果可以随意以所谓国家安全为由打压别国企业，就没有公平正义可言。”"How the US has handled the TikTok incident allows the world to see clearly whether the US' so-called rules and order serve the whole world or the US itself," he said.Also on Thursday, China's Ministry of Commerce stressed that it will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests."We have taken note of this move," He Yadong, a spokesman for the ministry, told a weekly news conference in Beijing.汪文斌表示该法案的实质是“想方设法从别人那里抢一切好东西”，美国对TikTok事件的处理态度，会让世界看清美国的所谓规则和秩序是为全世界服务，还是为美国自己服务。同样在周四，商务部发言人何亚东在北京举行的每周新闻发布会上表示，已注意到美方这一举动，中国将采取一切必要措施，坚决维护自身合法权益。The spokesman said the US should adhere to the principles of a market economy and fair competition, cease the unwarranted suppression of foreign companies, and ensure an open, fair, just and nondiscriminatory environment for companies from all countries to invest and operate in the US. Additionally, relevant parties must rigorously abide by Chinese laws and regulations, he said.发言人表示，美方应坚持市场经济和公平竞争原则，停止对外国企业的无理打压，为各国企业在美投资经营提供开放、公平、公正、非歧视的环境。此外，有关各方必须严格遵守中国法律法规。The TikTok move has also drawn criticism from the US. "I hope that the Senate will refuse to pass parallel legislation," Gary Hufbauer, a nonresident senior fellow at the Washington-based Peterson Institute of International Economics, said. "The main result of banning TikTok would be to create more business for its US competitors."此项针对TikTok的法案也招致了美国国内的不满。华盛顿彼得森国际经济研究所非常驻高级研究员加里·赫夫鲍尔表示：“我希望参议院拒绝通过此类立法。因为此举反而会为美国竞争对手国家创造更多业务。”parallel 英/ˈpær.ə.lel/ 美/ˈper.ə.lel/adj.类似的unwarranted英/ʌnˈwɒr.ən.tɪd/ 美/ʌnˈwɔːr.ən.tɪd/adj.无理的，无缘由的

Amid global economic uncertainties, economists underscored the strong resilience and great potential of China's economy, anticipating its continued prominence as a pivotal contributor to global economic growth this year.在全球经济不确定的情况下，经济学家强调中国经济具有强大的韧性和巨大的潜力，预计中国今年将继续作为全球经济增长的关键贡献者。Despite challenges stemming from weakening external demand and mounting uncertainties, they expressed optimism regarding China's capacity to achieve its annual GDP growth target of around 5 percent, citing proactive fiscal and monetary measures aimed at stimulating domestic demand as key factors supporting the outlook.尽管外部需求减弱和不确定性增加带来了挑战，但他们对中国实现5%左右的年度GDP增长目标的能力表示乐观，并指出旨在刺激国内需求的积极财政和货币措施是支撑前景的关键因素。Justin Yifu Lin, dean of Peking University's Institute of New Structural Economics, said the annual growth target is achievable if the government steps up both fiscal and monetary policies to stimulate consumption and investment.北京大学新结构经济学研究院院长林毅夫表示，如果政府加强财政和货币政策以刺激消费和投资，年度增长目标是可以实现的。"China still enjoys great potential and ample development space," Lin told a macroeconomic forum held on Wednesday by Peking University's National School of Development.2024年3月13日，林毅夫在北京大学国家发展学院举办的宏观经济论坛上表示：“中国仍然享有巨大的潜力和充足的发展空间。”Dismissing speculation that China's economy has reached its peak, he said China enjoys favorable advantages and conditions to maintain sustained growth, including its ultra-large domestic market, a complete industrial system, huge investment in industrial upgrading and its booming digital economy.他驳斥了有关中国经济已见顶的猜测，表示中国拥有保持持续增长的有利优势和条件，包括超大的国内市场、完整的工业体系、在产业升级方面的巨额投资以及蓬勃发展的数字经济。"China's role in the global economy is substantial, as it accounts for around 18 percent of the world economy," Lin said.林毅夫说:“中国在全球经济中的作用是巨大的，因为它占世界经济的18%左右。”"The nation's anticipated growth rate of around 5 percent is poised to contribute one percentage point to global economic expansion, contributing approximately 30 percent of global economic growth, solidifying China's position as the primary driver of global economic advancement."“中国5%左右的预期增长率将为全球经济增长贡献一个百分点，约占全球经济增长的30%，从而巩固中国作为全球经济发展的主要驱动力的地位。”Luo Zhiheng, chief economist at Yuekai Securities, also voiced strong optimism about China's economic prospects, saying the country still enjoys ample room and sufficient policy tools to bolster the economy.岳凯证券首席经济学家罗志恒也对中国经济前景表达了强烈的乐观态度，称中国仍有充足的空间和足够的政策工具来提振经济。He said this year's primary support for the economy could come from forceful infrastructure spending and a new round of large-scale equipment renewal, adding that the country needs to strengthen both fiscal and monetary policies to support the spending.他说，今年对经济的主要支持可能来自强有力的基础设施支出和新一轮大规模设备更新，并补充说，国家需要加强财政和货币政策来支持支出。Luo said the real estate sector and exports may continue to be a drag on China's outlook this year, and more efforts should be made to ensure supply, boost effective demand and stabilize housing prices.房地产行业和出口可能会继续拖累中国今年的前景，应该做出更多的努力来确保供应，促进有效需求和稳定房价。Xu Gao, chief economist at BOC International, said the country needs to take both short-term and long-term countermeasures to tackle issues faced by the economy, including pressures from shrinking demand and weakening expectations.中银国际首席经济学家徐高表示，中国需要采取短期和长期的对策来解决经济面临的问题，包括需求萎缩和预期减弱的压力。"More property and infrastructure investment will help stabilize the overall growth," he said.“更多的房地产和基础设施投资将有助于稳定整体增长。”Xu's views were echoed by Lu Feng, a professor of economics at the National School of Development. He called for strengthened macroeconomic policy adjustment and deepened structural reforms to boost China's supply capabilities and expand domestic demand.徐高的观点得到了国家发展研究院经济学教授陆峰的赞同。他呼吁加强宏观经济政策调整，深化结构性改革，以提高中国的供给能力，扩大国内需求。policy tools政策工具growth target增长指标

Local authorities in Sanhe, Hebei province, apologized to the media for forcing them out of the site of an explosion on Wednesday that killed 7 and injured 27 others, according to a statement published on Thursday morning by the city's command headquarters for the handling of the incident.3月14日上午，河北省三河市爆炸事故处置指挥部发布声明称，3月13日，当地发生爆炸事故，造成7人死亡、27人受伤，并就强迫央视记者离开事故现场向媒体致歉。The statement especially mentioned that several reporters with China Media Group were forced out of the site during their interviews. "Due to the poor communication skills and the use of rough methods by our on-site personnel, misunderstandings and public questioning arose from their conducts, leading to adverse social effects," the statement said, adding "for which we feel deeply responsible and extend our apologies to journalists".声明特别就央视记者在现场直播时，遭当地警方阻挠、驱离事件做出回应：“由于我方现场人员沟通能力差、手段粗鲁，引发误解和舆论质疑，造成不良社会影响，对此我们深感责任并予以追究。我们向记者诚挚致歉。”On Wednesday night, a video clip showed two or three CMG reporters being pushed away during their interviews by a dozen of male personnel at the incident site.3月13日晚，一段视频显示，两三名中央广播电视总台记者在采访过程中被事发现场的十几名男性人员推开。Following the matter, the All-China Journalists Association published an article on its official WeChat account, voicing that journalists have the right to conduct interviews. The article went viral online on Wednesday night and got reposted by many netizens, especially by media workers. 事件发生后，中央记协在其官方微信公众号上发表文章，表示记者有采访的权利。这篇文章于昨晚在网上疯传，并被许多网友、尤其是媒体工作者转发。"During the initial stages of the rescue, on-site personnel had maintained good interaction with media reporters," the official statement of Sanhe said.三河市官方声明称，救援初期，现场人员与媒体记者保持良好互动。But as the rescue work progressed, the experts with the command headquarters conducted professional assessments and discovered that there were still ongoing risks of natural gas leakage at the scene, advising that all non-rescue personnel be evacuated beyond the cordon to prevent secondary disasters. During this process, journalists who persisted in reporting from the scene were forcibly led out of the site, the statement added.但随着救援工作的进展，指挥部专家经过专业评估，发现现场仍存在天然气泄漏风险，建议所有非救援人员撤离警戒线外，防止发生次生灾害。在此过程中，坚持现场报道的记者被强行带离现场。"In our future work, we will learn from this experience, further improve relevant mechanisms and actively establish communication platforms with the media," the statement said. It added that local authorities will genuinely safeguard the rights of journalists to conduct interviews, provide more convenience, and respond promptly to social concerns. "We welcome media friends to supervise our work."声明称，在今后的工作中，我们将吸取这次经验，进一步完善相关机制，积极与媒体建立沟通平台。各地将切实保障记者采访权利，提供更多便利，及时回应社会关切。欢迎媒体朋友监督我们的工作。The explosion that drew media to Sanhe occurred at 7:54 am on Wednesday in the town of Yanjiao, suspected to be caused by a gas leak at a shop, according to another statement by the city's emergency management bureau on Thursday.据三河市应急管理局于今日发布的另一份声明，3月13日上午7时54分，燕郊镇发生爆炸，引起媒体关注，疑似由商店煤气泄漏引起。As of early morning on Thursday, the site had been basically cleaned up. All the injured were sent to hospital and their injuries were not life-threatening. Among them, 14 have been discharged. An investigation is underway about the cause of the explosion.截至3月14日凌晨，现场已基本清理完毕。所有伤者均被送往医院，没有生命危险。其中14人已出院。目前正在对爆炸原因进行调查。life-threateningadj.危及生命的the command headquarters指挥部

The global artificial intelligence surge, both technologically and investment-wise, combined with China's emphasis on new quality productive forces, will boost AI-related A-share performance, which in turn will drive up associated indexes this year, said experts.专家表示，全球人工智能在技术和投资方面的激增，加上中国对新质生产力的重视，将推动人工智能相关的A股表现，这反过来将推动今年相关指数的上涨。While the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index shed 0.41 percent on Tuesday, A-share AI companies registered an average share price increase of 1.15 percent. With this, share prices of these AI companies have jumped nearly 19 percent since Feb 19, when trading resumed after the Spring Festival holiday.2024年3月12日，当基准上证综合指数下跌0.41%时，A股人工智能公司的平均股价上涨了1.15%。受此影响，自2月19日春节假期后复牌以来，这些人工智能公司的股价上涨了近19%。The global AI boom serves as one major impetus, especially after ChatGPT's creator Open AI released text-to-video generator Sora on Feb 16. Nvidia, the major supplier for Open AI's graphics chips, saw its shares hit record highs, overtaking Amazon and Google's parent company Alphabet in terms of market value.全球人工智能的繁荣是一个主要的推动力，尤其是在ChatGPT的创造者Open AI于2月16日发布了文本到视频生成器Sora之后。Open AI图形芯片的主要供应商英伟达(Nvidia)股价创下历史新高，市值超过了亚马逊(Amazon)和谷歌母公司Alphabet。Zhang Yidong, chief global strategist at Industrial Securities, said the global AI phenomenon will not only buoy the US bourse, but also drive up the value of A-share tech companies, thus helping boost A-share performance in general.兴业证券首席全球策略师张忆东表示，全球人工智能现象不仅会提振美国股市，还会推高A股科技公司的价值，从而有助于提振A股的整体表现。More importantly, China promised in this year's Government Work Report to launch an "AI plus" initiative to accelerate the technology's commercial applications. Meanwhile, new quality productive forces, which have been emphasized in the report, also include emerging industries such as AI, computing and humanoid robots. All these suggest an increasing focus on industrial investment, said analysts from Guotai Junan Securities.更重要的是，中国在今年的政府工作报告中承诺，将启动“人工智能+”计划，加快该技术的商业应用。与此同时，报告中强调的新型优质生产力还包括人工智能、计算和人形机器人等新兴产业。国泰君安证券的分析师表示，所有这些都表明，中国越来越关注工业投资。Liu Chenming, chief strategist at GF Securities, said AI will serve as a major force empowering industries' intelligent digitalization in China. The application of AI technologies will help improve total factor productivity and the country's structural transformation and upgrading. This is also in line with this year's Government Work Report which calls for high-quality development, he said.广发证券首席策略师刘晨明表示，人工智能将成为推动中国工业智能数字化的主要力量。人工智能技术的应用将有助于提高全要素生产率，促进国家结构转型升级。他说，这也符合今年政府工作报告提出的高质量发展的要求。Ethan Wang, head of investment strategy for wealth management at Standard Chartered China, said A-share investors should pay particular attention to AI applications in China given the country's advantages in application scenarios in internet and big data modalities, as well as the commercialization of innovative technologies. Specifically, device makers integrating AI services and the commercial use of AI in business scenarios will churn out the most investment opportunities in China, Wang said.渣打银行中国财富管理投资策略主管王昕杰表示，鉴于中国在互联网和大数据模式的应用场景以及创新技术的商业化方面的优势，A股投资者应该特别关注中国的人工智能应用。具体来说，整合人工智能服务和人工智能在商业场景中的商业用途的设备制造商将在中国产生最多的投资机会。Analysts from Kaiyuan Securities suggested A-share investors search for opportunities related to animation along with film and television companies, especially those possessing well-established intellectual property, as the application of multimodal AI will significantly improve their efficiency and reduce costs.开元证券的分析师建议A股投资者寻找与动画和影视公司相关的机会，特别是那些拥有成熟知识产权的公司，因为多模式人工智能的应用将显著提高它们的效率并降低成本。Opportunities can also be found among semiconductor firms as iteration in AI foundation models will drive up computing demand, said experts from China International Capital Corp Ltd.中国国际金融有限公司的专家表示，随着人工智能基础模型的迭代将推高计算需求，半导体公司也可以找到机会。Li Zhan, chief economist at China Merchants Fund, said that technological innovation will be the major investment theme in China for many years to come. Industries which are supported by favorable industrial policies and the country's resources will generate the most investment opportunities, among which AI is included.招商局基金首席经济学家李湛表示，技术创新将是未来许多年中国的主要投资主题。受到有利的产业政策和国家资源支持的行业将产生最多的投资机会，其中包括人工智能。Experts from UBS Global Wealth Management's Chief Investment Office believe that AI will be the fastest growing tech sector globally over the next decade, with the possibility of it growing into the largest tech sector in 10 years' time.瑞银全球财富管理首席投资办公室的专家认为，未来十年，人工智能将成为全球增长最快的科技领域，并有可能在10年内成长为最大的科技领域。UBS瑞士联合银行（United Bank of Switzerland）Ltd.股份有限公司（Limited）

China's focus on developing the high-end manufacturing sector and new quality productive forces will strengthen the world's industrial and supply chains, despite a grim and complex global environment, said industry leaders and business executives on Tuesday.2024年3月12日，行业领袖和企业高管表示，尽管全球环境严峻复杂，但中国重点发展高端制造业和新质生产力将加强世界产业链和供应链。In a rapidly evolving global economy, strategic emerging industries, representing the direction of a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, are set to enhance new quality productive forces and foster innovation, they said.他们表示，在快速发展的全球经济中，战略性新兴产业代表着新一轮技术革命和产业变革的方向，将提高新的优质生产力，促进创新。As the world grapples with challenges like climate change, resource scarcity and technological disruptions, China's commitment to advancing high-end manufacturing, including electric vehicles, machine tools, solar panels, energy storage equipment and the next-generation vessels, is not only reshaping its own economic landscape but also making the global economy and supply chains greener and diversified, said Ye Dingda, chief economist of the Beijing-based China Machinery Industry Federation.总部位于北京的叶定达表示，随着世界应对气候变化、资源稀缺和技术中断等挑战，中国致力于推进高端制造业，包括电动汽车、机床、太阳能电池板、储能设备和下一代船舶，不仅重塑了自己的经济格局，还使全球经济和供应链更加绿色和多样化。Chen Shihua, deputy secretary-general of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, said that one of the key areas where China is expected to make substantial contributions is the realm of electric vehicles and battery technologies.中国汽车工业协会副秘书长陈士华表示，中国有望做出重大贡献的关键领域之一是电动汽车和电池技术领域。With the global automotive industry undergoing a significant shift toward electrification, China's advancements in battery technology and manufacturing are set to play a crucial role in cutting the carbon footprint of transportation and enhancing energy efficiency across the world, Chen said. 随着全球汽车行业向电气化的重大转变，中国在电池技术和制造方面的进步将在减少交通运输的碳足迹和提高全球能源效率方面发挥关键作用。This sentiment is in line with the latest data from the Beijing-based association. China exported 822,000 automobiles in all, including EVs, during the January-February period, up 30.5 percent year-on-year.这一观点与总部位于北京的该协会的最新数据一致。今年1月至2月，包括电动汽车在内，中国共出口82.2万辆汽车，同比增长30.5%。China's ongoing green transformation has also created business opportunities for multinational corporations operating in the country. Ramesh Singaram, president and CEO for Asia at the gas power unit of GE Vernova, a United States-headquartered energy solution and services provider, said that a complementary approach combining gas and renewable power generation is the most effective and sustainable way for China to achieve its dual carbon goals.中国正在进行的绿色转型也为在华经营的跨国公司创造了商机。总部位于美国的能源解决方案和服务提供商通用电气公司（GE Vernova）的天然气发电部门亚洲总裁兼首席执行官拉梅什·辛格拉姆（Ramesh Singaram）表示，将天然气和可再生能源发电相结合的互补方法是中国实现其双重碳目标的最有效和可持续的方式。"Gas power generation, with its inherent flexibility and low emissions profile and the versatility of pumped storage, which offers excellent adjustable performance, is poised to become indispensable components of China's power system," he said, adding that with more than 4,000 employees in over 10 offices and manufacturing sites in China, the company will introduce more solutions and products in the country.他说：“天然气发电具有固有的灵活性和低排放特点，以及抽水蓄能的多功能性，提供了出色的可调性能，有望成为中国电力系统不可或缺的组成部分。”他补充说，该公司在中国拥有10多个办事处和制造基地，拥有4000多名员工，将在中国推出更多的解决方案和产品。Despite facing strong headwinds, including the US restrictions on exporting lithography machines for chipmaking to China through third-party channels and the European Union's initiation of an anti-subsidy investigation targeting Chinese EVs, business leaders said that China's push for innovation in information technology is unwavering.尽管面临强大的阻力，包括美国限制通过第三方渠道向中国出口用于芯片制造的光刻机，以及欧盟发起针对中国电动汽车的反补贴调查，但商界领袖表示，中国推动信息技术创新的步伐坚定不移。Particularly in areas like 5G, artificial intelligence and the internet of things, these factors are expected to revolutionize the way companies in the manufacturing sector operate and interact with consumers.特别是在5G、人工智能和物联网等领域，这些因素预计将彻底改变制造业企业的运营方式和与消费者的互动方式。These technologies are not only driving the development of the manufacturing sector and smart cities, but also enabling more resilient and responsive supply chains, said Zhang Zhiyong, chairman of China Tower Corp Ltd, a Beijing-based mobile communication infrastructure company that runs almost all of China's telecom towers.中国铁塔股份有限公司董事长张志勇表示，这些技术不仅推动了制造业和智慧城市的发展，还使供应链更具弹性和响应能力。中国铁塔股份有限公司是一家总部位于北京的移动通信基础设施公司，运营着中国几乎所有的电信塔。Highlighting the importance of new quality productive forces aimed at emerging and future-oriented industries, Zhang said that integrating the development of a manufacturing powerhouse with the digital economy and industrial informatization is essential.张志勇强调了针对新兴和面向未来的产业的新型优质生产力的重要性，他说，将制造业强国的发展与数字经济和工业信息化相结合是必不可少的。China Tower, a State-owned enterprise, is implementing innovative tasks in strategic emerging industries such as the next generation of mobile communications, computing power networks, 6G and satellite internet.中国铁塔是一家国有企业，正在实施下一代移动通信、计算能力网络、6G和卫星互联网等战略性新兴产业的创新任务。"China's stra

China aims to accelerate research and development of key core technologies and application-oriented technological innovations this year, with a focus on developing a faster bullet train capable of traveling at 450 kilometers per hour and intelligent high-speed rail technologies, said Liu Zhenfang, the president of China State Railway Group, which operates the national railway system.运营国家铁路系统的中国国家铁路集团有限公司董事长的刘振芳表示，中国今年的目标是加快关键核心技术的研发和面向应用的技术创新，重点是开发时速为450公里的更快的子弹头列车和智能高速铁路技术。Liu, who is also a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress, said the company will continue to promote independent research and the industrial application of key core technologies this year, enhancing self-reliance in railway technology.刘振芳是第十四届全国人大代表，他说公司今年将继续推动关键核心技术的自主研究和产业化应用，增强铁路技术的自主能力。"Technological innovation can foster new industries, new models and new momentum," he said. "It is the core element for developing new quality productive forces.他说:“科技创新可以催生新产业、新模式、新动能。”这是发展新质生产力的核心要素。"China's high-speed railways are a successful example of independent innovation in our country, and the overall technological level of China's railways has entered the forefront of the world."“中国的高铁是我国自主创新的成功范例，中国铁路的整体技术水平已进入世界前列。”The group plans to unveil a more advanced bullet train, the CR450-with a top operating speed of 400 km/h and an experimental speed of up to 450 km/h — by next year.该集团计划在明年推出一款更先进的子弹头列车cr450，最高运行速度为400公里/小时，实验速度可达450公里/小时。It plans to complete a prototype this year and begin testing.计划在今年完成一个原型机并开始测试。Liu said achievements in promoting self-reliance in railway technology had been made last year.刘振芳说，去年在促进铁路技术自力更生方面已经取得了成就。"In 2023, the alliance to promote science and technology innovation in the railway sector was established," he said. "The CR450 science and technology innovation project has achieved major breakthroughs."刘振芳说:“2023年，促进铁路部门科技创新的联盟成立了。CR450科技创新工程取得重大突破。”Last year, bullet trains traveled at speeds of 453 km/h on test runs in Fujian province, collecting data on trains running at different speeds on tracks that include tunnels, bridges and curves.去年，子弹头列车在福建省以453公里/小时的速度进行了测试，收集了列车在包括隧道、桥梁和弯道在内的轨道上以不同速度运行的数据。Currently, the fastest bullet trains in China operate at speeds of 350 km/h along several lines, including the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway and the Beijing-Tianjin High-Speed Railway.目前，中国最快的子弹头列车在包括京沪高铁和京津高铁在内的几条线路上以350公里/小时的速度运行。A train traveling at 400 km/h would shorten the journey from Beijing to Shanghai to 2.5 hours.时速400公里的火车将把北京到上海的行程缩短到2.5小时。Liu also said China aims to achieve technological breakthroughs to improve operational safety, enhancing key equipment and infrastructure.刘振芳表示，中国的目标是实现技术突破，以提高运行安全性，加强关键设备和基础设施。"Research efforts will be increased in the application of cutting-edge technologies in the field of railways," he said. “将加大前沿技术在铁路领域应用的研究力度。”"We'll focus on promoting the system's informatization and network security and enhancing the construction of digital railways. We'll also carry out the standardization, interconnection and sharing of railway information systems, aiming to empower the innovative development of railways through digital intelligence."“我们将重点推进系统信息化和网络安全，加强数字铁路建设。我们还将开展铁路信息系统的标准化、互联互通和共享，旨在通过数字智能为铁路的创新发展提供动力。”By the end of last year, China's national railway network extended for 159,000 km, including 45,000 km of high-speed lines. About 80 percent of China's planned high-speed railway network has been completed, with a further 15 percent under construction.截至去年年底，中国全国铁路网延长了15.9万公里，其中包括4.5万公里的高速铁路。中国计划中的高速铁路网大约80%已经完工，另有15%正在建设中。"China's overall level of railway infrastructure has reached the forefront globally, providing the foundation and conditions for further advancement toward a higher level of modernization," Liu said.刘振芳说:“中国铁路基础设施的整体水平已达到全球前列，为进一步向更高水平的现代化迈进提供了基础和条件。”He said China aims to have 165,000 km of track by the end of next year, 50,000 km of which will be high-speed.中国的目标是到明年年底拥有16.5万公里的铁路，其中5万公里将是高速铁路。According to the national plan, by 2035, the railway network in China will reach 200,000 km, with about 70,000 km of high-speed lines, including some high-speed inter-city railways.根据国家规划，到2035年，中国铁路网将达到20万公里，其中高速铁路约7万公里，其中包括一些高速城际铁路。national railway国有铁路new quality productive forces新质生产力

Miao ethnic people in the mountainous area of Southwest China's Guizhou are bringing theirvibrant embroideries to the Milan Fashion Week. #PotsideChats

Science literacy has tripled in the past 12 years in China, Ni Minjing, a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, said on Sunday.3月10日，全国政协委员、上海科技馆馆长倪闽景表示，过去12年，中国的科学素养提高了两倍。Speaking at a member's passage interview on the sidelines of the annual two sessions, Ni, head of the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, attributed the progress to a society-wide efforts to popularize science.倪闽景在接受两会期间会员通道采访时将这一进步归功于全社会科普努力。"For example, CPPCC National Committee has launched a Members' Science Lecture Hall, where many academicians and renowned scientists take the lead in popularizing science," he said, “an increasing number of scientists are taking on part-time roles as vice-principals for science and technology in primary and secondary schools."具体表现为，全国政协推出了委员科普讲堂，很多院士、知名科学家带头科普。越来越多的科学家在中小学兼职担任科技副校长。Ni said global science education is shifting toward learning for innovation, where innovation stems from diverse minds and actions. Playing basketball, joining a chorus competition, and helping with household chores, can all strengthen their mental faculties and reduce the chance of psychological problems and, eventually, increase the likelihood of innovative talents.他还表示，全球科学教育正在转向为创新而学习，创新源于多样化的思想和行动。打篮球、参加合唱比赛、帮忙做家务，都可以增强他们的心智能力，减少出现心理问题的风险，并最终提升培养出创新人才的可能性。He said that top innovative talents share three common traits: first, they are very independent and proactive; second, they have a strong interest in a particular field and are highly focused; third, they are particularly resilient and can persevere. Regardless of exam performance, these three qualities can be nurtured and are the true value and power of education.倪闽景表示，顶尖创新人才有三个共同特点：一是非常独立、主动；其次，他们对某一特定领域有浓厚的兴趣，并且高度专注；第三，他们的韧性特别强，能够坚持下去。无论考试成绩如何，这三种品质都是可以培养的，这才是教育的真正价值和力量.Ni stressed that scientific education is not just about high-tech education. "Everything is open to exploration, and even rural areas are full of scientific resources. Every piece of soil, every flower and every clear night sky presents excellent opportunities for scientific exploration."倪闽景强调，科学教育不仅仅是高科技教育。一切都是开放的，就连农村也充满了科学资源。每一块土壤、每一朵花、每一片晴朗的夜空，都是科学探索的绝佳机会。literacy英/ˈlɪt.ər.ə.si/ 美/ˈlɪt̬.ɚ.ə.si/n.素养Attribute to将A归功于B

President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that China's military should improve its strategic capabilities in emerging spheres, during a meeting with lawmakers from the nation's armed forces.Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, told national legislators from the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force that strategic capabilities in emerging spheres — new frontiers originating from innovation and applications of science and technology — are closely related to the country's socioeconomic development, national security and military power, and are of great significance to modernization efforts and national rejuvenation.The CPC Central Committee has called for the accelerated growth of new quality productive forces since the 20th CPC National Congress, and that provides valuable opportunities for the building of strategic capabilities in emerging spheres, Xi said, asking the armed forces to integrate the new quality productive forces and new-type combat power and strengthen their mutual development.The president stressed that the military must prioritize key projects and fully implement related plans.He called for the integrated planning of naval operations, maritime rights protection and the marine economy in order to boost the nation's sea power.He also called for the improvement of the nation's space capabilities and the formation of a cyberspace defense system, which can help to safeguard the country's internet security.Research of intelligent technologies will be given more attention, and such technologies will be further promoted, according to Xi.He said members of the armed forces should be confident in their creative capacities. They should strive to bolster independent innovation and give momentum to new quality productive forces and new-type combat power, he added.Xi said that emerging spheres will be crucial fields when the military deepens its comprehensive reform, calling for a supportive atmosphere and an optimized policy system.He also noted that the defense technology sector should be further reformed to suit the needs of and developments in emerging spheres.Before addressing the uniformed lawmakers, Xi listened to thoughts and suggestions shared by six military deputies who spoke about topics such as maritime awareness capabilities, artificial intelligence and the management and use of space-based assets.There are 271 national legislators from the armed forces attending the second session of the 14th National People's Congress, which opened in Beijing on Tuesday.Reporter: Zhao Lei

Speaking at a news conference on the sidelines of the annual legislative session, Wang said the recent election on the island was merely a local election within China, and its results "cannot change the fundamental fact that Taiwan is a part of China, nor can it alter the historical trend that Taiwan will inevitably return to the motherland"."Our policy is quite clear — we will continue to strive for peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity. Our bottom line is also quite clear — we will never allow Taiwan to be separated from the motherland," he said.He noted that over 180 countries and international organizations have reiterated their adherence to the one-China principle, supporting China in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity."This fully demonstrates that the one-China principle has become a general consensus in the international community," he said.He warned that any support for "Taiwan independence" constitutes a challenge to China's sovereignty. "If certain countries insist on maintaining official relations with the Taiwan region, that would be an interference in China's internal affairs."There will be a family photo of the whole international community in which all members uphold the one-China principle. It is only a matter of time."The senior diplomat also issued a stern warning to separatist forces within the island, saying that anyone who wants to pursue "Taiwan independence" will inevitably face historical retribution."Internationally, anyone who indulges in and supports 'Taiwan independence' will surely be playing with fire, leading to self-inflicted consequences."Reporter: Xu Wei 

President Xi Jinping called on Wednesday for national political advisers to pool strengths and build broad consensus to contribute to Chinese modernization.He also urged the advisers — members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the nation's top political advisory body — to enhance their capability to participate in State affairs in order to create new prospects for the cause of political consultation and multiparty cooperation.Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when taking part in a joint group meeting during the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee.He said that political advisers from different political parties, organizations, ethnic groups, sectors and all walks of life should conduct in-depth research and actively offer suggestions based on the major strategic tasks laid out by the 20th CPC National Congress in October 2022 and the arrangements made by the Central Economic Work Conference in December 2023.The meeting was attended by members of the CPPCC National Committee from the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, the science and technology sector and the environment and resources sector.Six political advisers delivered speeches on various topics, including strengthening partnerships on industrial and supply chains across the Taiwan Strait, promoting the complete reunification of the motherland, advancing the industrialization of technological innovation achievements, and promoting the high-quality development of the ecological conservation sector.Hearing their remarks, Xi said that the hard-won achievements that China made in social and economic development in the past year are attributed to the united and tenacious efforts of people of all ethnic groups, as well as the dedication and wisdom of the CPPCC members.He pointed out that over the past year, the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang effectively promoted political consultation and participation in and deliberation of State affairs, continued to play a role in democratic oversight of the environmental protection of the Yangtze River, and actively boosted economic and cultural exchanges across the Taiwan Strait.Xi also commended the CPPCC members from the science and technology sector for their active involvement in technological innovation, and those from the environment and resources sector for their contributions to green transformation.He urged the members from the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang to further leverage their advantages in Taiwan-related work, actively unite all patriotic forces at home and abroad, and continuously strengthen the forces that are against "Taiwan independence" and for promoting reunification, thus jointly advancing the process of peaceful reunification of the motherland.Efforts should be made to promote cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation in the fields of technology, agriculture, culture and youth development, and deepen integration and development across various sectors on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, he added.Xi called on the CPPCC members in the science and technology sector as well as the vast number of scientific and technological workers to strengthen basic research and the application of basic research, and to make breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields.He called for practical advice and suggestions to help deepen the reform of the scientific and technological system and the mechanisms for talent development, improve the scientific and technological evaluation system and incentive mechanisms, and further stimulate the innovative vitality and potential of all types of talent.Xi emphasized that CPPCC members in the environment and resources sector should make new contributions to strengthening ecological conservation to support high-quality development.It is important to comprehensively implement the policies of pollution control in a scientific and precise way in accordance with the law, he said, and it is essential to promote green and low-carbon economic and social development.Xi also called for efforts to actively and prudently promote carbon peak and carbon neutrality to inject new impetus and shape new advantages for high-quality development.Reporter: Cao Desheng

President Xi Jinping highlighted on Tuesday the need to develop new quality productive forces tailored to local conditions for high-quality development, amid a new round of technological and industrial transformation.While taking part in a deliberation with his fellow deputies from the delegation of Jiangsu province at the second session of the 14th National People's Congress, China's top legislature, Xi emphasized that developing new quality productive forces does not imply neglecting or abandoning traditional industries.Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, cautioned against herd behavior or speculative bubbles in developing the new quality productive forces. He also called for selective promotion of new industries, models and new driving forces based on local resources, industrial foundations and research conditions.Xi also underscored the importance of leveraging new technologies to upgrade traditional industries, promoting the high-end, intelligent and green transformation of industries.The country must seize opportunities to intensify innovation, nurture and strengthen emerging industries, and foster future industries with forward-looking planning, he said.Xi first proposed the concept of new quality productive forces during an inspection tour in Heilongjiang province in September. With innovation leading, new quality productive forces means advanced productivity freed from traditional economic growth models. It features high technology, high efficiency and high quality, and aligns with the country's new development philosophy.The term refers to new productive forces that emerge from continuous advances in science and technology, driving strategic future and emerging industries that could introduce breakthrough technological advancements in an era of intelligent information.During Tuesday's meeting, Xi said that Jiangsu province has favorable conditions and capabilities for developing new quality productive forces. He emphasized the need for the province to focus on building a modern industrial system with advanced manufacturing as the backbone.As one of China's economic powerhouses, Jiangsu saw its regional gross domestic product increase 5.8 percent year-on-year to 12.82 trillion yuan ($1.78 trillion) in 2023, ranking second among 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, following Guangdong province.The manufacturing industry's added value in Jiangsu reached 4.66 trillion yuan last year, accounting for 36.3 percent of the province's GDP.Xi called for a deeper integration of technological and industrial innovation, consolidating the leading position of traditional industries and accelerating the creation of strategically competitive emerging industry clusters in order to make Jiangsu an important stronghold for developing new quality productive forces.The president also emphasized the need to plan for further comprehensive deepening of major reforms to inject stronger impetus into high-quality development and propel sustained momentum for Chinese modernization.In order to promote the high-level socialist market economy system, efforts should be made to improve systems in terms of property rights protection, market access, fair competition and social credit, and support the growth of the private economy and private enterprises, Xi said.It is essential to deepen reforms in the scientific and technological system and the education and talent systems, and remove obstacles to the development of new quality productive forces, he said.Xi reiterated the necessity to continuously promote a market-based, world-class business environment governed by a sound legal framework, thereby shaping new advantages for a higher level of open economy.He urged Jiangsu to be fully involved in the regional development strategy of the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the Yangtze River Delta, and to enhance coordination with other regional development strategies and build innovation, industry and supply chains with a larger scope to better leverage the radiating driving force of an economically powerful province for regional and national development.Efforts should also be made to continue consolidating and enhancing the positive trend of economic recovery and to boost the confidence of the entire society in development, Xi said.Reporter: Cao Desheng

China's top political adviser, Wang Huning, called on Monday for the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference to make full use of its role as a specialized advisory body, focusing on providing wisdom for the country's modernization goals.Wang, chairman of the 14th CPPCC National Committee, made the remarks while delivering a work report to around 2,100 national political advisers at the opening of the second session of the 14th National Committee of the CPPCC in Beijing, raising the curtain on this year's two sessions, China's biggest annual political event.President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and other Chinese leaders attended the opening meeting, held at the Great Hall of the People. At the meeting, the agenda for the session was reviewed and approved.This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the CPPCC, and it is a crucial year for achieving the goals of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25).Wang said that upholding the leadership of the CPC has always been the fundamental political principle of the CPPCC since the political advisory body was founded, and it remains the fundamental guarantee for the development and progress of its cause.He stressed the need for the CPPCC to act as a specialized consultative body, closely focusing on the major decisions and initiatives of the CPC Central Committee, national strategic needs and significant practical issues in its advisory role."The CPPCC should leverage its group advantages, conduct extensive investigations and research, and gain a deep understanding of the vivid experiences created in practice, the desires and demands of the people, as well as the difficulties and obstacles in policy implementation," he said.Over the past 12 months, the CPPCC National Committee conducted 94 consultations for advisers and officials to exchange ideas.Wang also emphasized the role of the CPPCC in external exchanges and in promoting the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, telling China's stories and spreading the country's voice to the world.After listening to the report, Zhang Yi, a national political adviser and a lawyer from Shanghai, said, "I was greatly encouraged, especially by the call for us advisers to provide suggestions in line with the central tasks of the Party and the country and fulfill our duties for the people."Zhang said that this year's conference is crucial for achieving the goals set in the 14th Five-Year Plan, particularly in relation to China's economic development and legal construction.He said that he would make suggestions regarding the effective regulation of artificial intelligence through legislation, after conducting research over the past year.Tsoi Wing-sing, a national political adviser from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said that in-depth research is crucial in formulating proposals, and this year he would propose a way to leverage Hong Kong's advantages in promoting China's experience in green finance on the global stage.Reporter: Zhang Yi, Yang Yang

China targets economic growth of around 5 percent in 2024, according to a government work report submitted Tuesday to the national legislature for deliberation. 3月5日，提请全国人大常委会审议的政府工作报告显示，中国2024年经济增长目标是5%左右。The country expects to create over 12 million jobs in urban areas and keep the surveyed urban unemployment rate at around 5.5 percent this year, according to the report.今年城镇新增就业岗位1200万以上，城镇调查失业率控制在5.5%左右。 A proactive fiscal policy and a prudent monetary policy will be continued, with the ratio of deficit to gross domestic product (GDP) set at 3 percent and the government deficit to rise by 180 billion yuan from the 2023 budget figure.报告称，将继续实施积极的财政政策和稳健的货币政策，赤字占国内生产总值(GDP)的比重控制在3%，2023年预算赤字增加1800亿元。The country will see 3.9 trillion yuan of special-purpose bonds for local governments to be issued this year, up by 100 billion yuan from last year.今年我国将发行地方政府专项债券3.9万亿元，比去年增加1000亿元。It will also issue ultra-long special treasury bonds over each of the next several years for the purpose of implementing major national strategies and building up security capacity in key areas, starting with 1 trillion yuan of such bonds this year, the report said. The consistency of the macro policy orientation should be enchanced, it said.未来几年还将每年发行超长期特别国债，落实国家重大战略，增强重点领域保障能力。今年将首先发行1万亿元超长期特别国债。增强宏观政策导向的一致性。treasury bonds 国债unemployment rate失业率

China announced on Friday that it will quintuple the transaction limit for foreigners' mobile payments as the country enhances efforts to address payment challenges faced by international visitors.3月1日，中国宣布，将把外国人移动支付的交易限额提高五倍，以此来加大力度解决国际游客面临的支付难题。Zhang Qingsong, deputy governor of the People's Bank of China, the country's central bank, said it will guide major payment institutions like Alipay to raise the single transaction limit of mobile payment for foreigners in China from $1,000 to $5,000 and lift the annual cumulative transaction limit from $10,000 to $50,000.中国人民银行副行长张庆松表示，将指导支付宝等主要支付机构将外国人在华移动支付单笔交易限额从1000美元提高到5000美元，并提高年度累计交易限额从10,000美元到50,000美元。Also to facilitate foreigners' mobile payments in China, Zhang said at a news conference on Friday that the central bank will support payment institutions to enable foreign users to more efficiently link their mobile payment accounts with foreign bank cards and streamline identity authentication procedures.张庆松在周五的新闻发布会上表示，为了便利外国人在中国的移动支付，央行将推动支付应用允许外国用户将移动支付账户与外国银行卡关联，并简化身份认证程序。The move comes as China intensifies efforts to tackle payment difficulties faced by some foreign visitors who rely on bank cards or cash for payment, whereas mobile payment prevails in China.当下移动支付盛行，中国正在加大力度解决部分外国游客因依赖银行卡或现金支付所面临的支付困难。The central bank has been addressing the issue by facilitating foreign visitors' bank card payments in large transactions, promoting their mobile payment via QR codes in small amounts, and guaranteeing cash payment as the last resort.央行一直在致力于这一问题的解决，为外国游客大额交易银行卡支付提供便利，推广二维码小额移动支付，并保障现金支付作为最后手段。Data from the central bank showed that nearly 4 million foreign visitors used mobile payment in China last year and made more than 70 million transactions with a total value of more than 10 billion yuan ($1.38 billion).央行的数据显示，去年有近400万外国游客在中国使用移动支付，并进行了超过7000万笔交易，总价值超过100亿元人民币。Zhang said a guideline, which was approved by the State Council, China's Cabinet, on Feb 23 and will be published soon, promotes the acceptance of foreign bank cards, guarantees the use of cash, improves mobile payment convenience and optimizes account services.张庆松表示，2月23日，中国国务院即将发布已批准的指导意见，推动境外银行卡受理，保障现金使用，提高移动支付便利性，优化账户服务。He added that the PBOC, together with the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, will establish a cross-departmental collaboration mechanism to implement the guideline.他补充道，中国人民银行将会同国家发展改革委、交通运输部、商务部、文化和旅游部建立跨部门协作机制，落实好《意见》。Shi Zeyi, head of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's international exchange and cooperation bureau, said the country will continue to provide offline, manned ticketing services at tourist attractions and optimize foreign tourists' online and offline payment experiences.文化和旅游部国际交流合作局局长石泽一表示，国家将继续在旅游景区提供线下人工售票服务，优化外国游客线上线下支付体验。China's inbound tourism has recovered as the country saw 3.23 million inbound travelers during this year's Spring Festival holiday, the ministry's data showed.旅游部数据显示，今年春节期间，中国入境旅游已恢复至323万人次。Liu Chunsheng, an associate professor at the Central University of Finance and Economics, said China's efforts to make mobile payment services more convenient will improve foreigners' experiences here as mobile payment has become a "daily necessity" in many cases. "This is also a sign that China is devoted to opening its market wider after the COVID-19 pandemic, providing the world with more business opportunities," Liu said.中央财经大学副教授刘春生表示，移动支付在很多情况下已成为日常生活必需品，中国所做的努力将改善外国人在中国的体验。不难看出，新冠疫情以后，中国一直致力于扩大市场开放，为世界提供更多商机。The tone-setting Central Economic Work Conference, held in December, stressed the need to make it easy for foreigners to do business, study and travel in China.12月召开的中央经济工作会议强调，要为外国人来华经商、留学、旅游提供便利。quintuple 英/kwɪnˈtjuː.pəl/ 美/kwɪnˈtuː.pəl/v. 是原来的五倍inbound travelers入境旅游者

The Shenzhou XVII crew conducted their second spacewalk outside the Tiangong space station on Saturday, completing the first repair operation by Chinese astronauts, according to the China Manned Space Agency.据中国载人航天局称，2024年3月2日，神舟17号宇航员在天宫空间站外进行了第二次太空行走，完成了中国宇航员的首次修复操作。The agency said in a news release that mission commander Senior Colonel Tang Hongbo and crew member Lieutenant Colonel Jiang Xinlin returned to the Wentian science module at 1:32 pm after floating for nearly eight hours outside the colossal orbital station. The third crew member, Lieutenant Colonel Tang Shengjie, stayed inside Tiangong to provide support, it said.中国航天局在一份新闻稿中说，在巨大的轨道站外漂浮了近8个小时后，任务指挥官汤洪波大校和机组成员江新林中校于下午1点32分返回了问天实验舱。报道称，第三名机组人员唐胜杰中校留在天宫号内部提供支持。With the cooperation and assistance from ground controllers and the space station's robotic arm, the team completed all their assigned tasks, the agency said.在地面控制人员和空间站机械臂的配合和协助下，该团队完成了所有分配的任务。It was the 15th spacewalk carried out by Chinese astronauts.这是中国宇航员进行的第15次太空行走。During the spacewalk, Tang Hongbo and Jiang repaired damage to parts on the Tianhe core module's solar wings that was caused by tiny space debris. After the repairs, the wings resumed normal operations, the release said.在太空行走过程中，汤洪波和江新林修复了天河核心舱太阳翼因微小空间碎片造成的部件损坏。机翼恢复了正常运行。The duo also checked the condition of the space station's external structure, it noted.两人还检查了空间站外部结构的状况。The spacewalk was the third for Tang Hongbo, who is also the first person to return to the Tiangong space station.这次太空行走是汤洪波的第三次太空行走，他也是第一个返回天宫空间站的人。Wang Ya'nan, chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, said extravehicular repair operations are sophisticated and challenging.《航天知识》杂志主编王亚男表示，舱外维修工作既复杂又具有挑战性。"Repair operation is a very important task for astronauts during their stay inside a space station, because it is vital to fix broken parts so as to avoid safety hazards," he said. "During a repair task, astronauts need to cooperate with each other and ground controllers and usually need the assistance of robotic arms, and they must be familiar with required procedures and maneuvers."他说：“维修作业是宇航员在空间站停留期间的一项非常重要的任务，因为修复损坏的部件以避免安全隐患至关重要。在维修任务中，宇航员需要与地面控制人员合作，通常需要机械臂的帮助，他们必须熟悉所需的程序和操作。”According to Wang, solar wings are most susceptible to external damage, because they are large and thin, making them fragile when hit by space junk.王亚男说，太阳能机翼最容易受到外部损坏，因为它们又大又薄，在被太空垃圾撞击时很脆弱。The Shenzhou XVII astronauts, who are the sixth crew to inhabit the Tiangong space station, arrived at the colossal flying outpost on Oct 26 to take over from their peers in the Shenzhou XVI mission.10月26日，神舟17号的宇航员接替神舟16号的任务，他们是第6批居住在天宫空间站的宇航员，抵达这个巨大的飞行前哨。The crew performed their first spacewalk on Dec 21, completing a host of tasks including carrying out test repairs.12月21日，宇航员进行了首次太空行走，完成了包括测试维修在内的一系列任务。They are scheduled to wrap up their spaceflight at the end of April and will hand over the Tiangong space station to the Shenzhou XVIII crew before returning to Earth.按计划，他们将在4月底结束太空飞行，并在返回地球之前将天宫空间站移交给神舟18号机组人员。wrapv.包，裹，包装；用（手臂、指头或腿）围紧，用……绕住space junk太空垃圾

China's policymakers pledged on Thursday to further invigorate the economy, prevent and defuse risks and improve social expectations as they deliberated on the draft of the Government Work Report before the opening of the national legislature's annual session next week.The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the Party's core leadership, highlighted at a meeting the need to build up the momentum of the nation's economic recovery and make sustained efforts to push for the quality and reasonable growth of the economy.The meeting was presided over by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee.The draft of the report, which set out priorities for the central government's work this year, will be reviewed by national lawmakers during the upcoming second session of the 14th National People's Congress, which is due to open on Tuesday.The report was also deliberated in February at a plenary session of the State Council, China's Cabinet.Premier Li Qiang also presided over a meeting in January to solicit opinions from experts, business leaders and representatives from sectors such as education, scientific research, culture, health and sports on a draft of the report.The policymakers underscored on Thursday China's accomplishments over the past year, highlighting the challenges posed by a complex international landscape and the substantial tasks of reform, development and stability.The nation has navigated external pressures and internal difficulties, making concerted efforts to achieve a stable transitioning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, securing economic recovery and substantial progress in high-quality development, said a statement issued after the meeting.Official statistics showed that China's GDP expanded 5.2 percent year-on-year in 2023 to 126.06 trillion yuan ($17.53 trillion), surpassing the government's preset annual growth target of around 5 percent.The nation created 12.44 million new jobs last year, with its surveyed unemployment rate in urban areas standing at 5.2 percent.With this year marking the 75th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China and being a critical year for fulfilling the goals set out in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), the policymakers emphasized accelerated steps to foster a new development pattern, advance high-quality development and further deepen reform and opening-up.They also called for steps to work toward a high level of self-reliance in science and technology, bolster macro regulation and coordinate measures in boosting domestic demand and deepening supply-side structural reform.The government's proactive fiscal policy must be moderately intensified toward greater quality and efficiency, while the nation's prudent monetary policy should be flexible, moderate, precise and effective, the policymakers said.The meeting highlighted the necessity to maintain the consistency of macroeconomic policy orientations to create a stable, transparent, and predictable policy environment.The nation must vigorously promote the construction of a modern industrial system and accelerate the development of new productive forces, which feature high technology, high efficiency and high quality, and are aligned with the country's new development philosophy, the policymakers stressed.More steps will be taken to boost domestic demand, deepen reform, expand high-level opening-up, and effectively prevent and defuse risks in key sectors, they added.The meeting reiterated the nation's commitment to work related to farmers, the agricultural sector and rural areas, saying that rural vitalization and urban-rural integration must be advanced.The nation will continue to bolster its efforts in building an ecological civilization and pushing forward green and low-carbon development, the policymakers said. They also underscored the need to continue improving the public's well-being and innovating social governance.It is important to strengthen the government's self-improvement, combat formalism and bureaucracy, and strive to fulfill the economic and social development goals for the year, they added.Reporter: Xu Wei

Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said on Wednesday that the city's economy is set to grow this year by around 2.5 percent to 3.5 percent, while the outlook for 2025 to 2028 is an average expansion of 3.2 percent.2月28日，香港财政司司长陈茂波表示，今年香港经济预计增长2.5%至3.5%左右，而2025年至2028年有望平均增长3.2%。Chan announced the expected growth figures as he delivered the special administrative region's 2024-25 budget. Last year, the city's economy grew 3.2 percent.陈茂波在提交特别行政区2024-2025年度财政预算案时公布了预期增长数字。去年，全市经济增长3.2%。While Hong Kong's economic development will be sustained and solid in the medium term, the SAR government will implement a comprehensive fiscal consolidation program to contain operating expenditure growth and increase revenue as the city has incurred four budget deficits over the past five financial years.尽管中期看来香港经济发展将持续稳健，特区政府仍将实施全面的财政整顿计划，以遏制营运开支增长并增加收入，因为香港在过去五个财政年度已出现四次财政赤字。He said that Hong Kong's anticipated economic growth would take place amid "the gradual revival in global demand, the anticipated progressive declines in interest rates in the United States and the euro area, and the country's focus on promoting high-quality development".陈茂波表示，当下全球需求逐步复苏，美国和欧元区利率预期逐步下降，国家大力重点推动高质量发展，这都将推动香港实现预期的经济增长。Amid the subdued economic environment, the SAR government revised its forecast consolidated deficit for the 2023-24 financial year to HK$101.6 billion ($13 billion), 86 percent higher than the figure forecast by Chan last February. Meanwhile, the city's fiscal reserves are expected to fall to HK$733.2 billion by the end of March this year, from HK$834.7 billion in the previous year.在经济环境低迷的情况下，特区政府将2023-2024财年综合赤字预测修订为1,016亿港元，比他去年2月预测的数字高出86%。与此同时，预计到今年3月底，香港的财政储备将从去年的8,347亿港元降至7,332亿港元。For the 2024-25 financial year, the administration forecasts another budget deficit of HK$48.1 billion after taking account of bond issuance proceeds, and fiscal reserves will decrease to HK$685.1 billion by the end of March 2025. Total government expenditure and revenue for the year are estimated to be HK$776.9 billion and HK$633 billion, respectively.在2024-2025财年，政府预计将发债所得款项计算在内，财政赤字将再达481亿港元，财政储备将于2025年3月底减少至6,851亿港元。 全年政府开支及收入总额预计分别为7,769亿港元和6,330亿港元。"I welcome the budget's fiscal consolidation program, which focuses on restoring fiscal balance while fully taking into account the financial constraints of the public and businesses," said Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu.香港特别行政区行政长官李家超表示：“我支持预算案的财政整顿计划，这次计划的重点是恢复政府财政平衡，同时充分考虑公众和企业面临的经济难题”。Tan Yueheng, a member of the Legislative Council, said, "The budget strikes an appropriate balance between considering people's livelihood expenditure and supporting development momentum, embodies the dual combination of proactive government and an efficient market, and also takes into consideration the long-term sustainability of public finance".立法会议员谭粤恒表示，预算案在考虑民生支出和支持发展动力之间取得了适当的平衡，体现了政府积极主动和市场有效的双重结合，也考虑到了公共财政长远发展的可持续性”。Federation of Hong Kong Industries Chairman Steve Chuang said that amid challenges such as the fiscal deficit, an uncertain external environment and high interest costs, Hong Kong should "adhere to the prudent public finance principle of living within our means, while continuing to invest in innovative technologies and new industries and support small and medium-sized enterprises, reflecting the government's flexibility in financial management".香港工业总会主席庄志天表示，面对财政赤字、外围环境不明朗及利息成本高企等因素构成的挑战下，香港应坚持量入为出的审慎的公共财政策略，同时继续投资创新科技和新兴产业，支持中小企业，保证政府财政管理的灵活性。Finance Secretary Chan added that while budget deficits in recent years have limited the government's space in introducing relief measures, he understood the problems faced by some residents, so some of these measures will be maintained but on a reduced scale.财政司司长陈茂波补充道，虽然近年的财政赤字限制了政府推出纾困措施的空间，但他理解部分居民面临的问题，因此会保留部分措施，但规模会有所缩减。Another prominent measure in the budget is that, starting from Wednesday, property purchasers do not need to pay special stamp duty, buyer stamp duty or new residential stamp duty when buying residential properties in Hong Kong.预算案中的另一项重要措施是，从2月28日开始，购房者在香港购买住宅物业时无需缴纳特别印花税、买方印花税或新住宅印花税。The SAR government will also issue HK$120 billion worth of bonds in 2024-25 to enhance financial inclusiveness and public participation in infrastructure and sustainable development.特区政府将在2024-2025财年再次发行1,200亿港元债券，以提升金融普惠性以及增加公众对基建和可持续发展的参与度。fiscal consolidation财政整顿public participation公众参与financial inclusiveness金融普惠性

Senior Colonel Tang Hongbo ended his 216th day in orbit on Tuesday, extending his lead as the Chinese astronaut to have spent the longest time in space.2024年2月27日，汤洪波大校结束了他在轨道上的第216天，成为中国在太空中停留时间最长的人。The 48-year-old from Hunan province is a member of China's second generation of astronauts and mission commander of the ongoing Shenzhou XVII mission. He is also the first person to have returned to China's Tiangong space station.这位48岁的湖南人是中国第二代航天员，是正在进行的神舟十七号任务的指挥官，也是第一个返回中国天宫空间站的人。Tang made his first journey into space in June 2021, on the three-month Shenzhou XII mission, becoming one of the space station's first inhabitants.汤洪波于2021年6月首次进入太空，执行了为期三个月的神舟十二号任务，成为空间站的首批居民之一。During that mission, he spent 92 days and four hours in orbit.在那次任务中，他在轨道上待了92天4小时。On Oct 26, Tang and two crewmates, Lieutenant Colonel Tang Shengjie and Lieutenant Colonel Jiang Xinlin, set out on the Shenzhou XVII mission, arriving at the Tiangong station that afternoon.10月26日，汤洪波和两名队友唐胜杰、江新林出发执行神舟十七号任务，并于当天下午抵达天宫站。By noon on Monday, Tang Hongbo's current mission had lasted 123 days, taking his total time in orbit to 215 days.截至2024年2月26日中午，汤洪波目前的任务已经持续了123天，他在轨道上的总时间为215天。That meant he surpassed Chen Dong, who previously held the record for the longest time in-orbit for a Chinese astronaut after spending a total of 214 days and 15 hours in orbit on two space missions.这意味着他超越了陈冬。此前陈冬保持了中国宇航员在轨道上停留时间最长的记录，在两次太空任务中，共在轨道上停留了214天15小时。The Shenzhou XVII mission crew is scheduled to spend over two more months in orbit, which means Tang Hongbo will return to Earth having clocked about 280 days of orbital flight.神舟十七号任务人员计划在轨道上再呆两个多月，这意味着汤洪波将在完成约280天的轨道飞行后返回地球。He has also made two space flights within the shortest interval — two years and one month — of any Chinese astronaut.他还完成了两次太空飞行，这是中国宇航员中间隔时间最短的一次——两年零一个月。Twenty Chinese astronauts have been in space on 12 space flights.在12次太空飞行中已经有20名中国宇航员进入太空。Among them, Tang Hongbo, Chen Dong and Jing Haipeng — the first Chinese astronaut with four spaceflights — each have more than 200 hours in orbit.其中，汤洪波、陈冬和景海鹏——中国首位进行过四次太空飞行的宇航员——每人在轨道上飞行了200小时以上。Oleg Dmitriyevich Kononenko, a 59-year-old Russian cosmonaut, boasts the longest time in space of any astronaut in the world. He has accumulated more than 900 days in orbit during his five flights to the International Space Station, including his current one-year flight.现年59岁的俄罗斯宇航员奥列格·德米特里耶维奇·科诺年科(Oleg Dmitriyevich Kononenko)自称是世界上在太空停留时间最长的宇航员。在5次飞往国际空间站的任务中，他已经在轨道上累计了900多天，包括这次为期一年的飞行。Orbitn.（环绕地球、太阳等运行的）轨道Boastv.有（值得自豪的东西）；吹嘘，夸耀

The number of passenger flights allowed to be operated by Chinese airlines between China and the United States is set to increase from next month, in the latest step taken to boost direct flight connectivity between the two countries.从2024年3月开始，中国航空公司允许运营的中美客运航班数量将增加，这是促进两国直航互联互通的最新举措。The US Department of Transportation said on Monday that from March 31, Chinese carriers could operate a total of 50 round-trip passenger flights a week, up from the current 35.2024年2月26日，美国交通部(Department of Transportation)表示，从3月31日起，中国航空公司将从目前的每周35架次增加到每周50架次往返客运航班。The move "is a significant step forward in further normalization of the US-China market in anticipation of the Summer 2024 traffic season", the department said in a statement.该部门在一份声明中表示，此举“是在2024年夏季交通旺季之前，美中市场进一步正常化的重要一步”。The increase comes months after President Xi Jinping met with US President Joe Biden in San Francisco in November last year.继去年11月习近平总书记和美国总统拜登在旧金山会晤的数月后，出现了这一增长。During the meeting, the leaders agreed to strengthen bilateral dialogue and cooperation in various fields, including significantly increasing flights between the two countries.在会晤中，两国领导人同意在各领域加强对话与合作，包括大幅增加两国之间的航班。China and the US have been working to increase the number of passenger flights between the two countries, after it fell sharply following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. 中国和美国一直在努力增加两国间的客运航班数量，此前新冠肺炎疫情爆发后，两国间的客运航班数量急剧下降。In May 2023, the US Department of Transportation allowed Chinese carriers to operate 12 round-trip passenger flights per week. The number was then increased several times, till it reached 35 in November.2023年5月，美国交通部允许中国航空公司每周运营12个往返客运航班。之后，这个数字又增加了几倍，直到11月达到了35个。The latest increase to 50 will bring the market to nearly one-third of pre-pandemic levels, according to Reuters, which said more than 150 weekly round-trip passenger flights were allowed by each side before the pandemic hit.据路透社(Reuters)报道，最新的50次增长将使市场达到疫情前水平的近三分之一。路透社表示，疫情爆发前，双方每周允许往返客运航班超过150架次。China has called for joint efforts with the US to support and encourage people-to-people exchanges.中方呼吁与美方共同努力，支持和鼓励双方人与人的交流。It has also taken a series of measures to attract foreign travelers, including those from the US, over the past months.在过去的几个月里，中国还采取了一系列措施来吸引包括美国游客在内的外国游客。Last month, the Chinese embassy and consulates-general in the US simplified the documents which applicants for a tourist visa are required to submit.上个月，中国驻美国大使馆和总领事馆简化了申请旅游签证所需提交的文件。bilateraladj.双边的dialoguen. 对话

A media center was put into use on Tuesday in Beijing, ready to serve the influx of international reporters who will cover the upcoming annual two sessions of the nation's top legislative and political advisory bodies.2024年2月27日，北京的一个媒体中心于投入使用，为报道即将到来的“两会”的国际记者们做好了服务的准备。The two sessions — the second session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the second session of the 14th National People's Congress — will open on March 4 and 5, respectively.两会——中国人民政治协商会议第十四届全国委员会第二次会议和第十四届全国人民代表大会第二次会议将分别于3月4日和5日开幕。The center, at the Media Center Hotel in Beijing, said in a news release on Tuesday that over 3,000 reporters have registered to cover the event, including about 1,000 from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and abroad.位于北京媒体中心酒店的新闻中心在周二的一份新闻稿中说，已经有3000多名记者注册报道这次活动，其中包括约1000名来自香港、澳门、台湾和国外的记者。The center said it is equipped with a news conference hall and several interview rooms, which news outlets are welcome to use.该中心表示，它配备了一个新闻发布厅和几个采访室，欢迎新闻媒体使用。"Digital versions of the main conference documents will be provided to journalists, eliminating the need for media reporters to wait in long queues on-site to collect them," the release said, adding that venues will also be available for conducting interviews at the hotels where NPC deputies and members of the CPPCC National Committee stay.“主要会议文件的电子版将提供给记者，不再需要媒体记者在现场排队领取，”公告称，还将提供在全国人大代表和全国政协委员下榻的酒店进行采访的场所。Shortly after the media center opened on Tuesday morning, correspondents and videographers, including those from Hong Kong Cable Television and Phoenix Satellite Television, streamed into the center for a glimpse of the venue and exchanged contact information with peers.周二上午，媒体中心开放后不久，包括香港有线电视(Hong Kong Cable Television)和凤凰卫视(Phoenix Satellite Television)的记者和摄像师涌入中心，一睹会场，并与同行交换了联系信息。A staff member at the center, who asked not to be named because he was not authorized to speak with the media, said his colleagues had handled a number of phone calls from foreign reporters who sought help with registration or requested additional information about the two sessions.该中心的一名工作人员说，他的同事接了很多外国记者的电话，他们寻求帮助登记，或要求提供有关两会的更多信息。由于无权接受媒体采访，他要求不具名。"Journalists typically want more information than what is officially available," he said.他说：“记者通常希望获得比官方提供的更多的信息。”The multimedia hall on the second floor has been repurposed into a news conference hall, with more than 150 seats facing a podium with eight chairs and a blue background. At the back of the hall, stands have been set up for videographers.二楼的多媒体大厅被改造成新闻发布会大厅，150多个座位面对着一个有8把椅子和蓝色背景的讲台。在大厅的后面，为摄像人员设置了看台。Free refreshments such as cake and coffee were available in the media center's cafeteria. At this year's two sessions, media access for in-person interviews and on-site reporting will be fully restored to pre-pandemic levels.媒体中心的自助餐厅提供免费的点心，如蛋糕和咖啡。在今年的两会上，媒体面对面采访和现场报道的机会将完全恢复到疫情前的水平。Workers mopped the floors while others tested scanning machines at security checkpoints and erected glass-front display counters to be filled with commemorative stamps and postcards issued by China Post.工作人员在拖地，其他人在安检点测试扫描仪，并在玻璃柜台上摆放中国邮政发行的纪念邮票和明信片。A TV correspondent from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, who only gave her name as Emily and worked with a laptop in the cafeteria after completing some footage, said it is her first time to cover the two sessions. "Not many reporters have shown up yet," she said, "but maybe in just a few days, the place will be packed."来自香港特别行政区的电视记者艾米丽(Emily)说，这是她第一次报道两会。在完成了一些镜头后，她在食堂用笔记本电脑工作。“到目前为止还没有很多记者来，”她说，“但也许几天后，这个地方就会挤满人。”Sessionsn.会议correspondentn.通讯员

Sienna Stoneking, a freshman at Muscatine High School in the US state of Iowa, could not conceal her excitement when recalling her first trip to China, which she made last month with the encouragement of President Xi Jinping."If anyone is thinking of taking a trip there, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and go for it!" she said.More than 20 students from the high school, including Stoneking, participated in an exchange visit to Beijing, Shanghai and Hebei province from Jan 24 to 30.After wrapping up their tour of China, the students wrote a letter to Xi, sharing their joy during the trip and thanking him for the invitation."More than ever now, this trip motivated me to take a deeper dive into the culture, and someday I hope to become fluent (in Mandarin) and take many more trips," Stoneking said.Xi replied to the young US visitors on Saturday, the Chinese Lantern Festival, which marked the first full moon of the Year of the Dragon. Xi also sent them New Year cards.In his reply, Xi noted that Lantern Festival has long been an important moment for the Chinese people to express their hope for a better life.He extended holiday wishes to the teachers and students of the school, and encouraged more US youths to come to China for exchanges and study.The young visitors became the first group of United States high school students to visit China under a program that aims to invite 50,000 young people from the US to go to China in the next five years for exchanges and study. Xi announced the program in San Francisco in November during his visit to the US.Xi welcomed the school's students to be part of the program when he replied last month to Sarah Lande, one of his "old friends" from Iowa. Lande had hosted Xi in the Iowa city of Muscatine when Xi first visited the US in 1985 as a county-level official from Hebei province.When the US students arrived in Beijing, one of their gifts to Xi was a school flag written with Chinese characters .The students' letter addressed to Xi featured beautifully written Chinese characters as well as vividly hand-painted dragon, Great Wall and giant panda depictions.In his reply on Saturday, Xi said he was happy that the students had visited several Chinese cities, where they saw pandas, tasted Chinese delicacies, experienced Chinese culture and had a lot of fun.Learning that the US students had made many Chinese friends during the trip and had invited them to visit their hometown in the US, Xi said he was touched by their friendship.Stoneking told China Daily: "I feel honored to have the opportunity to communicate with President Xi Jinping. It's still so shocking to me the connection we share with China."She added that she and a classmate "agreed that if we were given the chance to go to college there, we would take a plane in a heartbeat".Dan Stein, chairman of the Muscatine-China Initiatives Committee and a native of Muscatine, accompanied the students for much of the China trip."It was the first time for the students to leave the United States or, for a lot of them, even to travel on an airplane," he said."It's one thing to see in a video or on TV about another country. But to go there firsthand and taste the food and see the sights and smell the air, feel the culture, I think that was what the trip accomplished," he said."I'm hopeful that we can continue to have more exchanges. And at the same time, we want more Chinese people to also come visit us in the US so they can see the same thing and feel it firsthand," he added.'Seeing is believing'In 1985, Xi visited Muscatine as secretary of the Communist Party of China Zhengding county committee in Hebei province.In his reply letter on Saturday, Xi cited a Chinese saying that "seeing is believing", noting that the warm and friendly people he met in the US in 1985 left an indelible impression.Likewise, it is believed that through this exchange visit, the students can gain a more intuitive and in-depth understanding of China and the Chinese people, Xi said.Xi encouraged the Muscatine High School students to revisit China, and he encouraged more young people from the US to come to China for exchanges and study.He added that they can get firsthand experience of the real China in a multidimensional and comprehensive manner, foster genuine friendship with Chinese youths, and learn from one another so that they can jointly contribute to a stronger friendship between the people of the two countries.The students visited Beijing Zoo to see giant pandas and listened to briefings about wildlife protection. While in Beijing, they also joined local high school students at a cultural experience center to learn about traditional Chinese medicine and the evolution of Chinese characters, and they tried on Peking Opera costumes.During their trip to Shijia­zhuang, the provincial capital of Hebei, they toured Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School, tried the Chinese folk art of paper-cutting, and made dumplings together with their Chinese peers."All of

Zong Qinghou, the founder and chairman of Hangzhou Wahaha Group, China's leading beverage manufacturer, passed away on Sunday at the age of 79.中国领先的饮料制造商杭州娃哈哈集团创始人兼董事长宗庆后于周日去世，享年79岁。As one of the most respected representatives of China's first generation of entrepreneurs since the country embarked on reform and opening-up in 1978, Zong's down-to-earth style and innovative spirit greatly impressed the public.作为1978年改革开放以来中国第一代企业家中最受尊敬的代表之一，宗庆后的脚踏实地的作风和创新精神给世人留下了深刻的印象。Experts said Zong's rags-to-riches life story will surely inspire more Chinese entrepreneurs to focus on the real economy and run their businesses in a pragmatic and steady manner.专家表示，宗庆后白手起家的人生故事必将激励更多中国企业家聚焦实体经济，务实稳健地经营企业。Born in 1945 in Suqian, Jiangsu province, Zong took over a small grocery store at a school in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, in 1987, and worked as a distributor of soft drinks and popsicles for children.宗庆后1945年出生于江苏宿迁，1987年接管了浙江杭州一所学校的一家小杂货店，从事儿童软饮料和冰棍经销。In 1989, he founded Hangzhou Wahaha Nutritional Food Factory, which became Hangzhou Wahaha Group two years later after the acquisition of a local canned food factory on the verge of bankruptcy.1989年，他创办了杭州娃哈哈营养食品厂，两年后收购了当地一家濒临破产的罐头厂，成为杭州娃哈哈集团。In 1996, Zong launched Wahaha AD calcium milk, which became a great hit with Chinese consumers.1996年，宗庆后推出娃哈哈AD钙奶，受到中国消费者的欢迎。The company's products now cover more than 200 categories, including purified water, milk and yogurt drinks, carbonated drinks, fruit and vegetable juice, tea and coffee drinks, with its sales revenue reaching 51.2 billion yuan ($7.1 billion) in 2022. It has nearly 30,000 employees and 81 production bases nationwide.该公司产品目前涵盖纯净水、牛奶及酸奶饮料、碳酸饮料、果蔬汁、茶和咖啡饮料等200多个品类，2022年销售收入达到512亿元人民币。全国81个生产基地，雇佣 3万名员工。As one of the most iconic figures in Chinese business history, Zong was ranked as the country's richest person in 2010, 2012 and 2013 by business magazine Forbes.作为中国商业史上最具标志性的人物之一，宗庆后在2010年、2012年和2013年先后被商业杂志《福布斯》评为中国首富。However, Zong led a simple and thrifty life. He lived frugally, and it was common to see him dressed in a white shirt and black cloth shoes. He once said, "I am an ordinary person, but luckily I was born in such an era." He said that Wahaha would not exist without reform and opening-up.然而，宗庆后却过着简朴节俭的生活。他生活俭朴，经常看到他穿着白衬衫和黑布鞋。他曾说过：“我是一个普通人，但幸运的是我出生在这样一个时代，没有改革开放就没有娃哈哈。“He said that Chinese entrepreneurs should fulfill their social responsibilities, and create wealth for the people, adding that they should create more employment opportunities and participate in public welfare activities, contributing to the country's economic and social development.他表示，中国企业家要履行社会责任，为人民创造财富，创造更多就业机会，参与公益活动，为国家经济社会发展作出贡献。Zong was a deputy to the 10th, 11th and 12th National People's Congress, China's top legislature.宗庆后是中国最高立法机关第十届、第十一届和第十二届全国人民代表大会代表。Pan Helin, co-director of the Digital Economy and Financial Innovation Research Center at Zhejiang University's International Business School, said, "As a representative of the first generation of Chinese entrepreneurs after the start of reform and opening-up, Zong always focused on the real economy and was not involved in finance and property."浙江大学国际商学院数字经济与金融创新研究中心联席主任盘和林表示：“作为改革开放后第一代中国企业家的代表，宗庆后始终关注实体经济，不涉足金融、地产。”Zong turned a small drinks business into a beverage conglomerate, and his down-to-earth entrepreneurial spirit, perseverance and courage to face difficulties will encourage further generations of Chinese entrepreneurs to expand their businesses step by step, Pan said.宗庆后将一家小型饮料企业发展成为饮料集团，他脚踏实地的创业精神、坚忍不拔的毅力和迎难而上的勇气，将激励一代又一代的中国企业家一步步拓展事业。Guo Tao, deputy head of the China Electronic Commerce Expert Service Center, said Zong's deep understanding and insightfulness regarding the real economy not only laid a solid foundation for the company's development, but also made a contribution to the development of China's manufacturing sector. Moreover, Zong attached great importance to technological innovation, which was conducive to ensuring the quality and diversity of Wahaha's products in a highly competitive market, and providing strong impetus to the company's sustainable growth, Guo said. "Zong's management philosophy has set an example for the development of China's private economy."中国电子商务专家服务中心副主任郭涛认为，宗庆后对实体经济的深刻理解和洞察不仅为公司的发展奠定了坚实的基础，也为中国制造业的发展做出了贡献。此外，他高度重视技术创新，有利于在激烈的市场竞争中保证娃哈哈产品的质量和多样性，为公司的可持续发展提供强劲动力，宗庆后的管理理念为中国民营经济的发展树立了榜样。rags-to-richesadj. 白手起家的down-to-earthadj. 脚踏实地的；接地气的

The emergence of text-to-video artificial intelligence technology has the potential to revolutionize advertising, movie trailers and short video industries, as Sora, a new AI model developed by US-based AI research company OpenAI — creator of chatbot ChatGPT — has recently become a global sensation, experts said.美国人工智能研究公司OpenAI，即聊天机器人ChatGPT的创建者，开发的新人工智能模型Sora最近引起了全球轰动。对此，专家表示文生视频人工智能技术的出现有可能彻底改变广告、电影预告片和短视频行业。They added the multimodal large language model, which possesses the ability to generate high-resolution video clips based on given text prompts, is an undeniable future development direction for generative AI, and will inject strong impetus into a new round of industrial development.专家补充道，多模态大语言模型能根据给定的文本提示生成高分辨率视频片段。不可否认，这将是生成式人工智能未来的发展方向，会为新一轮产业发展注入强劲动力。Chinese tech firms should pool more resources into accumulating more training data, improving computing capacities and cultivating talent in the field of AI-powered video generation models, said industry observers.行业观察人士表示，中国科技公司应集中更多资源来积累更多训练数据、提高计算能力并培养人工智能视频生成模型领域的人才。AI-related stocks continued to rally in the A-share market, with Chinese cloud video solution providers Hangzhou Arcvideo Technology Co Ltd and BizConf Telecom Co Ltd seeing their shares surge by the daily limit of 20 percent on the Shanghai bourse's STAR Market on Tuesday.A股市场人工智能相关股票继续上涨，中国云视频解决方案提供商杭州虹视科技有限公司和会畅通讯有限公司的股价周二在上海证券交易所科创板涨停，涨幅达20%。Sora can generate videos up to a minute long while maintaining visual quality and adherence to user prompts, OpenAI said. It is able to generate complex scenes with multiple characters, specific types of motion, and accurate details of the subject and background. The model understands not only what the user has asked for in the prompt, but also how those things exist in the physical world.OpenAI表示，Sora可以生成长达一分钟的视频，能按照用户输入的提示产出视频并确保视频质量。它能够生成包含多个角色、特定类型的运动的复杂场景，并能准确展示主体和背景的细节。该模型不仅能理解用户在提示中提出的要求，还了解这些东西在物理世界中的存在方式。Liu Xingliang, director of the Beijing-based Data Center of China Internet, a research institute specializing in the internet industry, said Sora is undoubtedly a major breakthrough for AI.专门研究互联网行业的研究机构中国互联网数据中心主任刘兴亮表示，Sora无疑是人工智能的重大突破。"It not only demonstrates AI's advanced ability to understand and create complex visual content, but also brings about unprecedented opportunities and challenges for content creation, entertainment and film and television production industries. The video-generation model will help video content creators to turn their ideas into reality at a faster speed and at a lower cost, and offer audiences richer and more diverse visual experiences," Liu said, adding that AI is expected to play a more important role in all aspects of human lives in the future.刘兴亮表示，Sora不仅展示了人工智能理解和创建复杂视觉内容的先进能力，也为内容创作、娱乐和影视制作行业带来了前所未有的机遇和挑战。视频生成模型将帮助视频内容创作者转变想法，人工智能未来有望在人类生活的各个方面发挥更重要的作用。He said with advancements in AI technology, traditional film and TV production processes along with related business models will likely be reshaped, but it does not necessarily mean the demise of legacy industries, and more efforts are needed to explore new artistic forms and expression methods by integrating AI technology.他表示，随着人工智能技术的进步，传统影视制作流程以及相关商业模式可能会被重塑，但这并不一定意味着传统产业的消亡，还需要更多努力实现人工智能技术与已有技术融合，探索新的艺术形式和表现方式。Chinese AI firms have stepped up the push to expand their presence in the AI video generation sector. Cloudwalk Technology said it has a layout in text-to-image and text-to-video multimodal LLMs and launched a digital human generation platform, while Sumavision said it has invested heavily in video content production, and will continue to explore AI-generated content technology.中国人工智能公司努力扩大在人工智能视频生成领域的影响力。云从科技表示在文生图像、文生视频多模态大模型领域有所布局，并推出了数字人生成平台，而Sumavision则表示在视频内容制作上投入了大量资金，并将继续探索AI生成内容技术。Pan Helin, co-director of the Digital Economy and Financial Innovation Research Center at Zhejiang University's International Business School, said as a disruptive technology and milestone in AI progress, Sora will improve the efficiency of video creation, and have an impact on short-video editing and advertising industries.浙江大学国际商学院数字经济与金融创新研究中心联席主任盘和林表示，Sora作为颠覆性技术和人工智能进步的里程碑，将提高视频创作效率，并对短视频产生影响编辑和广告行业。"Talent, data and computing power are key to video generation models," Pan said, adding the process of developing such models necessitates higher requirements for computing capacity, algorithms and high-quality data, and more efforts are required to bolster the circulation of data elements.盘和林表示，人才、数据和算力是视频生成模型的关键。模型的开发过程对计算能力、算法和高质量数据提出了更高的要求，需要加大力度促进数据的流通。Meanwhile, the use of text-to-video AI models raises concerns about ethics, copyright protection, personal privacy leakage and data security, experts said. How to ensure the authenticity and transparency of the content has become an important issue, and more efforts are needed to formulate rules and regulations to ensure the healthy development of such technology.与此同时，专家表示，文生视频人工智能模型应用引起了人们对道德、版权保护、个人隐私泄露和数据安全的担忧。如何保证内容的真实性和透明度成为重要问题，还需要加大力度制定规章制度来保证此类技术的健康发展。Zhou Hongyi, founder of Chinese cyb

China's domestically developed single-aisle passenger jet C919 netted 40 new orders from Xizang Airlines at the opening day of the Singapore Airshow on Tuesday, while its debut at an overseas air show signals the model's official entry into the global civil aircraft market, said an industry expert.2024年2月20日，在新加坡航展开幕日，中国自主研发的单通道客机C919从西藏航空获得了40架新订单，同时这也是它在海外航展上的首次亮相。一位行业专家表示，这标志着该机型正式进入全球民用飞机市场， Xizang Airlines, a regional carrier based at Gonggar Airport in Lhasa, Xizang autonomous region, signed a deal with Commercial Aircraft Corp of China for 40 C919 aircraft in the plateau variant. The variant meets transportation requirements in high-altitude areas by shortening the fuselage and featuring high-altitude modifications.西藏航空是一家位于西藏自治区拉萨市贡嘎机场的区域性航空公司，与中国商用飞机股份有限公司签署了40架C919高原变型客机的协议。这种变体通过缩短机身和高原改造来满足高原地区的运输需求。"The C919 aircraft participated in an overseas air show for the first time, promoting its global sales. We hope that the model will gain new orders from overseas carriers," said Lin Zhijie, a civil aviation industry analyst.民航业分析师林智杰称：“C919飞机首次参加海外航展，将推动其全球销售。我们希望该机型能从海外航空公司那里获得新订单，”So far, the C919, comparable with the narrow-body Airbus A320 and the Boeing B737 series, has netted more than 1,100 orders from home and abroad. Two C919 and three ARJ21 regional aircraft made their debut at the Singapore Airshow.迄今为止，与窄体空客A320和波音B737系列相当的C919已从国内外获得了1100多架订单。两架C919和三架ARJ21支线客机在新加坡航展上首次亮相。As the global air travel market continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the C919 is expected to meet growing travel demand and break the market duopoly of Boeing and Airbus.随着全球航空市场从新冠疫情中持续复苏，C919有望满足不断增长的旅行需求，打破波音和空客的市场双头垄断。Xizang Airlines also signed an agreement with COMAC, the aircraft's manufacturer, for an order of 10 ARJ21 jetliners in the plateau variant.西藏航空还与C919的制造商中国商飞签署了一项协议，订购10架ARJ21高原变型喷气式客机。The ARJ21 is China's first home-developed regional passenger jet, and the plateau variant has good crosswind resistance at high-altitude airports.ARJ21是中国首架自主研发的区域性喷气式客机，其高原变型在高海拔机场具有良好的侧风阻力。Currently, more than 110 ARJ21 aircraft are in commercial operation, with most operating at regional airports.目前，超过110架ARJ21飞机在商业运营中，其中大多数在区域性机场运营。Meanwhile, Henan Civil Aviation Development and Investment Group signed an order with COMAC for six ARJ21 aircraft.与此同时，河南民航发展投资有限公司与中国商飞签署了6架ARJ21飞机的订单。Airports located at an altitude above 1,500 meters and below 2,438 meters are considered high-altitude, and those at 2,438 meters and above are ultra-high-altitude airports. Such airports face significant difficulties due to the high altitude and sparse oxygen.海拔在1500米以上、2438米以下的机场被视为高海拔机场，而海拔在2438米以上的机场则为超高海拔机场。这类机场由于海拔高、氧气稀薄而面临重大困难。High-altitude airports are mainly in China, Nepal, Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador. Among the top 10 airports with the highest altitudes worldwide, China has eight, according to industry reports.高海拔机场主要分布在中国、尼泊尔、秘鲁、玻利维亚和厄瓜多尔。根据行业报告，在全球海拔最高的10个机场中，中国有8个。The C919's high-altitude variant has 140 to 160 seats, and its takeoff and landing performance meets the requirements of all ultra-high-altitude airports in China. The regular C919 passenger jet has 158 to 192 seats and a flying range of 4,075 to 5,555 kilometers, COMAC said.C919的高原变型有140至160个座位，其起降性能满足中国所有超高海拔机场的要求。常规C919客机有158至192个座位，航程为4075至5555公里，中国商飞表示。"China boasts the world's biggest demand for high-altitude planes. The C919's plateau variant has a smaller passenger capacity, shorter fuselage and lighter weight. Corresponding modifications have been made to the engine and the oxygen system," Lin said. "The plateau variant is of great significance for meeting the travel demand of passengers in high-altitude regions of China," he added.林智杰称：“中国对高原飞机的需求居世界首位。C919的高原变型载客量较小、机身较短、重量较轻，对发动机和氧气系统进行了相应的改造。高原变型对于满足中国高原地区旅客的出行需求具有重要意义。” The Civil Aviation Administration of China has been implementing an initiative to better integrate regional connectivity with the trunk air travel market during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period.在“十四五”（2021-2025年）期间，中国民用航空局一直在实施一项举措，以更好地将区域连通性与干线航空旅行市场相结合。"China should further promote the development of the regional aviation market and launch more regional routes, and build a group of specialized and scaled regional carriers," said Li Guijin, a professor at the Beijing-based Civil Aviation Management Institute of China.“中国应进一步推动区域航空市场的发展，开辟更多的区域航线，并建设一批专业化、规模化的区域航空公司，”中国民航管理学院的李晓津教授说。The C919 aircraft made its first commercial flight in May 2023. So far, four C919 jets have been put into commercial operations by Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines and they have handled more than 110,000 passenger trips.C919飞机于2023年5月进行了首次商业飞行。迄今为止，总部位于上海的中国东方航空已将四架C919飞机投入商业运营，处理了超过11万人次的旅客出行。All four C919 planes were put into operation during the Spring Festival travel rush, which started on Jan 26 and will conclude on Mar 5.这四架C919飞机均在春运期间投入运营，春运从1月26日开始，将持续至3月5日。The planes operate on regular round-trip routes connecting Shanghai Hongqiao and Beijing Daxing international airports, as well as Shanghai Hongqiao an

China reiterated on Monday its determination to persist with the key strategy of reform and opening-up in order to address the risks and challenges faced on its development path, as a key meeting set the tone for the overall deepening of reforms this year.President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remark when presiding over the fourth meeting of the central commission for deepening overall reform of the 20th CPC Central Committee, which he heads.It was stressed at the meeting that China will continue to work on reform measures to expand domestic demand, boost confidence, ensure the public's well-being and fend off risks, according to a statement released after the meeting.Efforts should be focused on resolving the most crucial and pressing issues through reforms to remove barriers hindering the smooth advancement of Chinese modernization, it said.It was agreed at the meeting that this year's primary task is to plan for further steps to advance the overall deepening of reforms.Efforts must be made to fully mobilize enthusiasm for reform throughout society, further consolidate the consensus on reform and rally the entire Party and the whole nation to carry forward and complete major reform tasks, the meeting said.The meeting reviewed and adopted guidelines regarding land administration system reform, promoting the overall green transition of China's socioeconomic development, enhancing the grassroots emergency management capacity, and accelerating the formation of fundamental systems supporting comprehensive innovation.Xi said at the meeting that a land administration system that can better coordinate macro policies with regional development should be established in order to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the allocation of land resources.Noting that the comprehensive green transition of socioeconomic development is the fundamental strategy for addressing issues relating to resources, the environment and the ecology, Xi underscored the importance of making coordinated efforts to reduce carbon emissions, reduce pollution, expand green areas and promote economic growth.The concept of green development must be considered during the whole process of socioeconomic development, he said.Xi added that it is necessary to enhance emergency management capabilities at the primary level to prevent and mitigate major safety risks, so that various disasters and accidents could be handled in a prompt and effective way.Reporter:  Mo JingxiXinhua contributed to this story.

 The generosity US lawmakers have displayed in approving sizable military assistance to Israel — about $32 billion over the past month — is in stark contrast with their stinginess toward Ukraine.美国议员在批准向以色列提供大量军事援助方面表现出的慷慨——过去一个月约 320 亿美元——与他们对乌克兰的吝啬形成鲜明对比。这直接反映在各自的实际情况中。That is directly reflected in the respective situations on the ground. While the Ukrainian forces withdrew from Avdiivka last week, a key town which in recent months had become one of the most fiercely contested battles on the eastern front, because of critical shortages of ammunition, Israel is continuing to carry out large-scale bombing of Rafah, the city on the southern edge of the Gaza Strip where 1.4 million Palestinians have fled. Interestingly, US President Joe Biden tells Tel Aviv enough is enough and Kyiv never to give up.  上周（2024年2月第3周），由于弹药严重短缺，乌克兰军队撤离了阿夫迪夫卡（Avdiivka），这是近几个月来东部战线争夺最激烈的战役之一的关键城镇，而以色列则继续对拉法（Rafah）实施大规模轰炸，这是加沙地带南部边缘的城市，有 140 万巴勒斯坦人逃离。有趣的是，美国总统乔·拜登告诉特拉维夫（TEL AVIV）够了，而告诉基辅（Kyiv）永远不要放弃。It is the moral pressure from the international community over the heavy loss of civilian lives in Gaza that has prompted the Biden administration to fake its discontent at Tel Aviv going too far. Its true intention is that Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu government should take advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime chance of the Hamas-led Oct 7 attacks to get things done over the Palestinian question once and for all, while avoiding open conflict with Iran. 正是国际社会因加沙平民大量死亡而施加的道德压力，促使拜登政府假装对特拉维夫做得太过分表示不满。它的真正意图是以色列的本雅明·内塔尼亚胡政府应该利用哈马斯领导的 10 月 7 日袭击这一千载难逢的机会，一劳永逸地解决巴勒斯坦问题，同时避免与伊朗发生公开冲突。The US' aim is for a stronger Israel to help offset the US' withdrawal from the Middle East to a certain extent. Neither the Israeli hostages nor Palestinian civilians have ever been the consideration of Washington or Tel Aviv. 美国的目标是建立一个更强大的以色列，在一定程度上帮助抵消美国从中东的撤军。无论是以色列人质还是巴勒斯坦平民，都从未成为华盛顿或特拉维夫的考虑因素。The US' strong support also provides the Netanyahu government a golden chance to pull through its domestic troubles that would have flared up resulting in its step-down were it not for the crusade it started under the excuse of self-defense and "counterterrorism".美国的强有力支持也为内塔尼亚胡政府提供了一个千载难逢的机会，帮助其摆脱国内困境，否则，如果不是以自卫和“反恐”为借口发动十字军东征，这些困境早就爆发了，导致其下台。In a similar light, it is also too early to predict the Ukrainian forces' withdrawal from Avdiivka represents a turning point in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as Kyiv can use it as a leverage to prompt the US lawmakers to give a green light to more aid. No wonder Biden directly tied the Ukrainian withdrawal from Avdiivka to the US Congress not approving additional military aid for Ukraine, seeking to make the most from the incident to pass the buck for the Ukraine quagmire to the Republicans. 同样，现在预测乌克兰军队撤出阿夫季夫卡是俄乌冲突的转折点还为时过早，因为基辅可以将其作为杠杆，促使美国议员为提供更多援助开绿灯。难怪拜登直接将乌克兰撤出阿夫迪夫卡与美国国会不批准向乌克兰提供额外军事援助联系起来，试图充分利用这一事件，将乌克兰泥潭的责任推给共和党人。Actually neither the Republicans nor the Democrats would like to see a quick end to the Ukraine crisis as they both want to claim the credit for engineering an end to it under their respective government after winning the upcoming presidential election. 实际上，无论是共和党人还是民主党人，都不希望乌克兰危机迅速结束，因为他们都希望在赢得即将到来的总统选举后，在各自政府的领导下，为结束危机邀功。That being said, until Washington thinks the political value of the Gaza and Ukraine crises have been exhausted, neither one will have a quick end.话虽如此，但在华盛顿认为加沙和乌克兰危机的政治价值被耗尽之前，这两个危机都不会很快结束。Ammunitionn. 弹药Quagmiren. 沼泽地

Spring Festival ended on an uplifting note for the movie market this year as it shattered multiple previous records to become the highest-grossing Chinese New Year holiday in the history of domestic cinema.2024年春节档电影市场迎来了开门红，打破了多项纪录，成为国内电影史上票房最高的春节档。Statistics from the China Film Administration, the nation's top industry regulator, showed that during the holiday period from Feb 10 to Saturday, the country grossed a whopping 8.02 billion yuan ($1.12 billion) from 163 million tickets, surging 18.47 percent and 26.36 percent, respectively, compared with the same period last year.中国最高行业监管机构中国电影管理局的统计数据显示，2月10日至2月17日的假期期间，全国1.63亿张门票收入高达80.2亿元人民币（11.2亿美元），与去年同期相比分别飙升18.47%和26.36%。Seizing a lot of attention due to actress-director Jia Ling's weight loss of up to 50 kilograms in one year, YOLO — a comedy recounting Jia's portrayal of an oversized woman striving to become her better self — earned 2.72 billion yuan, topping the festival box-office charts.在喜剧电影《YOLO》中，导演兼演员贾玲饰演的超重角色努力成为更好的自己，一年减重50公斤，电影受到广泛关注，票房收入27.2亿元，位居春节档票房榜首。Pegasus 2, the sequel to a 2019 blockbuster racing film by writer-director Han Han, ranked second at the box office with 2.4 billion yuan. Boonie Bears: Time Twist, the latest installment in the Boonie Bears animated film series, took the third spot with 1.39 billion yuan, and Zhang Yimou's Article 20 ranked fourth with 1.33 billion yuan.由韩寒编剧兼导演的2019年赛车大片的续集《飞驰人生2》以24亿元人民币位居票房第二。《熊出没》动画电影系列的最新作品《熊出没之时空扭曲》以13.9亿元人民币位居第三，张艺谋的《二十条》以13.3亿元人民币位居第四。A report from Maoyan, one of the country's largest ticketing services, revealed that 39.2 percent of the audiences purchased movie tickets while returning to their hometowns or traveling, which was the highest in the past four years.中国最大的票务服务商之一猫眼的一份报告显示，39.2%的观众在回乡或旅游时购买了电影票，为过去四年来的最高值。Additionally, up to 58.9 percent of the total box-office revenue was earned in the third- and fourth-tier cities, the highest in five years.此外，三四线城市占总票房收入的比例高达58.9%，为五年来最高。Despite a total of eight movies opening simultaneously on the first day of the Year of the Dragon, four titles, or half of them, canceled screenings one after another starting on Feb 14, announcing that the screenings would resume at a more suitable time.尽管龙年大一共有八部电影同时上映，但从2月14日开始，有一半电影相继取消放映，并宣布将在更合适的时间恢复放映。Viva La Vida, a moving tale about two lovers fighting severe diseases, was the first to make the unusual decision, followed by Andy Lau-starring The Movie Emperor and the animated film Huang Pi: God of Money on Feb 16, and then another animated feature, Ba Jie, on Feb 17.讲述两个恋人与重病作斗争的感人故事《人生万岁》率先宣布撤档。随后刘德华主演的《红毯先生》和、2月16日上映的动画电影《黄貔：天降财神猫》，以及另一部原本预计2月17日上映的动画电影《八戒之天蓬下界》也做出了同样的决定。News and reviews about the highest-grossing blockbusters and the unprecedented scale of cancellations stirred widespread discussions online, accumulating a total of 46 billion clicks on related topics on the popular social media platform Sina Weibo.票房成绩最高电影的相关新闻和评论层出不穷。前所未有的停播规模也在网上引发了广泛讨论，热门社交媒体平台新浪微博上相关话题的点击量累计达460亿次。Yin Tengyu, a senior analyst with Maoyan's research division, said these instances served as a reminder for Chinese film companies to exercise greater caution when choosing appropriate screening times, as well as assessing whether the themes of the movies align with the holiday atmosphere.猫眼研究部高级分析师尹腾宇表示，这些事件提醒中国电影公司要更加谨慎地选择合适的放映时间以及评估电影主题是否与节日气氛相符。"However, the overall performance of the movie market was quite satisfactory. In addition to the box-office success, the ratings of the festival blockbusters were mostly high," said Yin, adding that the robust start of the Chinese New Year bodes well for the domestic film industry, which is expected to see faster and better recovery.尹腾宇表示：“不过，电影市场的整体表现还算令人满意，除了票房上的成功外，节庆大片的收视率也大多很高，农历新年的强劲开局对电影来说是个好兆头。国内电影产业有望更快更好恢复”。bode well for对...说是好兆头boxoffice票房

China's tourism market showed a better-than-expected performance over the just-ended eight-day Spring Festival holiday, which started on Feb 10.从2月10日起，为期8天春节假期刚刚结束，中国旅游市场表现好于预期。Some overseas destinations also offered goodwill gestures and created a festive atmosphere for Chinese travelers, and Spring Festival, or Lunar New Year, has officially been listed as a United Nations floating holiday starting this year, which means UN bodies are encouraged to avoid holding meetings on that day.一些海外热门景点也纷纷释放善意，为中国游客营造了节日气氛，而从今年开始，春节已被正式列为联合国浮动假期，联合国机构需要尽量避免在春节当天举行会议。The latest figures from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism showed that traveler numbers as well as tourism-related revenue during the holiday reached record highs, thanks to people's ever-stronger desire to travel, ample market supplies and good tourism policies.文化和旅游部最新数据显示，人民群众旅游意愿不断增强、市场供给充足和旅游政策大力推动，节日期间出游人次和旅游收入创历史新高。The ministry said on Sunday that the domestic tourism market saw 474 million trips during the holiday, up 34.3 percent year-on-year. The number marked a 19 percent increase compared with the same holiday period in 2019.旅游部周日表示，长假期间国内旅游市场接待游客4.74亿人次，同比增长34.3%。与2019年同期假期相比增加了19%。Domestic tourism-related revenue reached 632.69 billion yuan ($87.95 billion) during the holiday, a striking increase of 47.3 percent year-on-year and 7.7 percent growth from the same holiday period in 2019.假期期间国内旅游相关收入达到6326.9亿元人民币（合879.5亿美元），同比增长47.3%，较2019年同期增长7.7%。"I haven't seen so many people jammed in alleys! The food stores and stands along the alley were crowded with people, and I felt like I was floating with the crowds rather than walking by myself," said Lin Jieyi, a 29-year-old who visited Changsha, Hunan province, with her husband during the holiday.29岁的林杰伊在假期期间和丈夫一起去了湖南长沙，她表示：“我从没见过这么多人挤在巷子里！巷子里的食品店和摊位都挤满了人，我感觉自己只能跟着人潮移动，脚也不听使唤了”。"I love the city, which is filled with a festive atmosphere. The food here is very delicious, and I almost stuffed myself with rice noodles, pork cooked with peppers, and milk tea every day," she added.她补充道：“我喜欢这座充满节日气氛的城市。这里的食物非常美味，我每天都在炫辣椒猪肉米粉、喝奶茶”。Xiao Peng, a researcher with travel portal Qunar, said that the longer holiday this year — it usually lasts seven days in other years — made tourism-focused trips a more popular choice among the Chinese.旅游门户网站去哪儿网的研究员肖鹏表示，往年春节假期通常为7天，今年假期较长，更多中国人选择出门旅行。Southern destinations with warmer climate or tropical views, such as Kunming, Yunnan province, and Sanya, Hainan province, remained top choices for tourists, according to travel agencies. Return-flight tickets in economy class departing Sanya were sold out early, leaving only tickets in business or first class.据旅行社称，气候温暖或拥有热带景观的南方旅游景点，如云南省昆明市和海南省三亚市，仍然是游客的首选。三亚出发的返程经济舱机票早早售空，只剩下公务舱或头等舱机票。Tuniu, another travel portal, said that destinations and museums with a rich cultural atmosphere or those highlighting cultural elements of the dragon were favored by travelers marking the beginning of the Year of the Dragon.另一家旅游门户网站途牛表示，龙年伊始，文化氛围浓郁或突出龙文化元素的旅游景点和博物馆受到旅客的青睐。In addition, some northern destinations with snow and ice views also proved popular during the holiday. Among them, Harbin Ice-Snow World in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang received 329,000 visits from Feb 10 to Wednesday — the first five days of the holiday — with the traveler number marking a surge of 115 percent from the previous year, according to Harbin's culture and tourism bureau.此外，一些北方的冰雪旅游城市也在春节期间广受欢迎。据哈尔滨市文旅局介绍，2月10日至2月15日（前五天），黑龙江哈尔滨冰雪大世界共接待游客32.9万人次，同比增长115%。In addition to the prosperous domestic tourism, the inbound and outbound tourism market also delivered a surprisingly good performance during the holiday. The Culture and Tourism Ministry said that around 3.6 million overseas trips were made during the holiday, while the Chinese mainland received about 3.23 million visits from overseas travelers.除了国内旅游繁荣之外，假期期间出入境旅游市场也呈现出令人意外的好表现。文化和旅游部表示，长假期间出国旅游人数约360万人次，其中内地接待海外游客约323万人次。A total of 13.52 million inbound and outbound trips were made during the holiday, marking a nearly threefold increase from the holiday period last year, according to the National Immigration Administration.据国家移民管理局统计，假期期间，全国出入境旅游1352万人次，比去年假期增长近3倍。Travel portal Trip.com Group said that among the top 10 overseas destinations, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia were the biggest winners, with total bookings to the three destinations marking growth of over 30 percent at the group's platform, thanks to their visa-free policies for Chinese travelers.旅游门户携程集团表示，十大出境旅游目的地中，新加坡、泰国和马来西亚是最大赢家，受益于对于中国游客的免签政策，这三个目的地的总预订量增长超过30%。Some festive celebrations and folk shows such as lion dancing, traditional Han costume shows and Chinese cuisine shows were organized at overseas destinations like Bangkok and Paris during the holiday, allowing Chinese travelers and local residents to become immersed in cultural ambience.假期期间，曼谷、巴黎等海外目的地举办了舞狮、汉服表演、中国美食表演等节庆庆典和民俗表演，让中国游客和当地居民沉浸在文化氛围中。Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy, said that the industry's performance over the holiday exceeded expectation

For the Chinese people, the eternal theme of the Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year, remains family reunion, yet an increasing number of Chinese are choosing to integrate travel into their holiday traditions.The change was seen this year as the Spring Festival holiday spanned eight days -- possibly nine with a flexible one-day paid leave -- surpassing the usual one-week holiday in previous years.According to data released Saturday by Chinese travel website Mafengwo, Monday and Tuesday saw peak travel activity."We made a random decision to drive to the historic city of Datong (in northern China) on Monday but were surprised to see a large number of tourists. Local hotel chains are almost always full, and restaurants almost always have a waiting line," said a tourist surnamed Li.NEW TRENDS IN DOMESTIC TOURISMAccording to Mafengwo, family travel accounted for 45 percent of all trips during the holiday, reflecting a trend that young people return home for family reunions before embarking on trips with their families, taking advantage of the extended holiday period.Beijing, Xi'an and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area were among the most popular tourist destinations, said Mafengwo, adding that visiting museums, grottoes, temples and other historical and cultural places was another highlight of this year's Spring Festival travel after temple fairs and folk activities.A report by travel portal Tuniu.com showed an emerging trend for cross-regional travel between the northern and southern parts of the country during the holiday.Harbin, capital of northeastern Heilongjiang province, maintained its growing popularity among people from the South who are eager to explore an ice-and-snow world, while tropical cities such as Sanya, Xishuangbanna, and Beihai remained favored destinations for northlanders seeking winter getaways.SURGING OUTBOUND TOURISMData from multiple online travel platforms showed that on the first day of the eight-day holiday, outbound travel bookings already surpassed the 2019 figure, with Southeast Asian countries, particularly those with visa-free policies for Chinese nationals, emerging as red-hot destinations.From Feb 10 to 13, bookings for hotels in Bangkok tripled year on year, while reservations for Singaporean hotels reported a stunning growth of 800 percent, according to the travel platform LY.com.Several European destinations have introduced unique strategies to attract Chinese tourists. A Michelin-starred restaurant in downtown London has launched a menu specially designed for the Year of the Loong (Dragon), while a railway for the well-known scenic spot Jungfrau in Switzerland has been decorated with Chinese elements to greet Chinese tourists between Feb 8 and 20.With a substantial rise in outbound tourism, this holiday is projected to see a daily port clearance of 1.8 million people nationwide, more than triple that of the previous year and nearly reaching the level of 2019, according to the National Immigration Administration.According to a market forecast by Ctrip, a leading travel platform in China, the eight-day holiday would mark the country's first travel rush of the year, with a notable increase in international travel being one of the highlights."Destinations in Southeast Asia have continued to gain traction as many in China opted for the region for an escape from the winter season," said Gao Tao, from Tuniu. "The tourism industry has gone through a rough patch in the past three years due to the pandemic. But it is now poised for a growth spurt, particularly in outbound tourism."In 2023, China saw its outbound passenger trips exceed 87 million, and this figure is projected to reach 130 million in 2024, according to a paper published by the China Tourism Academy.UPWARD MOMENTUMExperts believe that the revved-up Spring Festival tourism consumption heralds an upward momentum in the tourism sector in 2024.In a recent report, the China Tourism Academy estimated that over 6 billion domestic trips will be made in 2024, and the total number of inbound and outbound travelers is expected to exceed 260 million."With the recovery of the economy, the resumption of international flights and the relaxation of visa policies, it is expected that the scale of domestic tourism consumption will continue to grow in 2024, and the scale of outbound tourism will be comprehensively advanced," said Qi Chunguang, vice president of Tuniu.

China is launching a campaign targeting production safety accidents in coal mines following a newly enacted administrative regulation focused on the problem.中国正在开展一场针对煤矿生产安全事故的运动，此前刚刚颁布了一项针对这一问题的行政法规。The regulation was passed at the executive meeting of the State Council, China's Cabinet, last December and will be implemented in May.该条例于2023年12月在国务院常务会议上通过，将于2024年5月实施。Huang Jinsheng, head of the National Mine Safety Administration, said at a news conference held by the State Council Information Office on Sunday that coal mining, a traditionally high-risk industry, has always been a priority for production safety officials.2024年2月4日，国家矿山安全监察局局长黄锦生在国务院新闻办举行的新闻发布会上表示，煤矿作为传统的高危行业，一直是生产安全官员的首要关注点。He emphasized that as the nation seeks to further its socioeconomic development, there have been outstanding issues in coal mine production, such as the "inadequate implementation of safety production responsibilities, incomplete investigations, lax oversight of risks and hidden dangers, and an imperfect management system".他强调，随着国家寻求进一步的社会经济发展，煤矿生产中存在一些突出问题，如“安全生产责任制落实不到位、调查不全面、风险监管松懈、隐患多、管理制度不完善”等。The latest regulation was formulated against this backdrop, said Huang, noting that it's a foundational regulation in mining production safety, comprehensively summarizing the results of safety work in the field in recent years.黄锦生说，该条例就是在此背景下制定的。它是煤矿安全生产的基础性法规，全面总结了近年来该领域安全工作的成果。"The adoption of the regulation will help further implement the primary responsibility of coal mine enterprises in terms of safety production, and further strengthen supervision and monitoring responsibilities," he said.他说：“该条例的通过将有助于进一步落实煤矿企业在安全生产方面的主体责任，进一步加强监督和监测责任。” Production accidents in coal mines across the country have occurred frequently in recent times.近期，全国各地煤矿生产事故频发。In November, there was a major gas explosion at a coal mine in Heilongjiang province. The following month in Heilongjiang, there was an underground mine cart accident at another mine. The combined accidents resulted in 23 deaths and 13 injuries.11月，黑龙江省一煤矿发生重大瓦斯爆炸事故。12月，黑龙江另一煤矿发生井下矿车事故。两起事故共造成23人死亡，13人受伤。Also last month, another explosion happened at a coal mine in Henan province, causing 16 fatalities.就在上个月，河南省一煤矿又发生爆炸事故，造成16人死亡。According to the nation's chief mining production regulator, the regulation clearly stipulates that coal mine production should prioritize people's lives and property, adhering to the principle of "safety first".据国家煤矿生产监管部门负责人介绍，该条例明确规定，煤矿生产应当优先保障人民群众生命财产安全，坚持“安全第一”的原则。The regulation requires coal mine enterprises to regularly conduct safety inspections of their mines, marking the first time the relationship between coal mine enterprises and mines has been explicitly defined in administrative regulations.该条例要求煤矿企业定期对所属煤矿进行安全检查，这是行政法规中首次明确界定煤矿企业与煤矿之间的关系。The regulation also specifically demands that governments at the county level and above supervise and inspect coal mine enterprises, especially front-line production workplaces, said Huang, stressing that doing so increases the accountability of government officials.黄锦生说，该条例还特别要求县级以上政府监督和检查煤矿企业，特别是一线生产场所，这样做提高了政府官员的责任感。It's worth noting some local governments have allowed mines lacking safety guarantees to operate to ensure coal production and supply. Some grassroots governments "turn a blind eye" to illegal activities in coal mines within their jurisdictions, "even providing protection", according to another senior mining supervision official.值得注意的是，一些地方政府允许缺乏安全保障的矿山继续运营，以确保煤炭的生产和供应。另一位高级矿业监管官员表示，一些基层政府对辖区内煤矿的非法活动“视而不见”，“甚至提供保护”。Zhou Dechang, deputy head of the NMSA, underscored that safety must come first before ensuring coal production and supply.国家矿山安全监察局副局长周德昶强调，在确保煤炭生产和供应之前，安全必须放在首位。"They (local governments) cannot knowingly allow mines with significant safety risks to operate without shutting them down. Once a production safety accident occurs, ensuring coal mine production and supply is not an excuse to evade accident responsibility," he said.周德昶表示：“他们（地方政府）不能明知矿山存在重大安全隐患而允许其继续运营而不关闭。一旦发生生产安全事故，确保煤矿生产和供应并不是逃避事故责任的借口。”"Those who are directly responsible must be held accountable, and those suspected of illegal crimes should be transferred to judicial authorities for criminal prosecution."“对直接负责的人员必须追究责任，对涉嫌违法犯罪的人员应当移送司法机关追究刑事责任。”Some local coal mine enterprises prefer to pay the relatively low cost of the fines rather than comply with the law, production regulators said.生产监管部门表示，一些地方煤矿企业宁愿支付相对较低的罚款，也不愿遵守法律，。Xue Jianguang, director for policy and regulation at the NMSA, said penalties imposed by previous laws and regulations were too light.国家矿山安全监察局政策法规处处长薛剑光表示，此前法律法规规定的处罚过轻。To address this, the regulation further increases the cost of illegal activities for enterprises, including raising the minimum amount of fines, Xue said.薛剑光说，为了解决这一问题，该条例进一步增加了企业的违法成本，包括提高罚款的最低数额。"According to China's Production Safety Law, the minimum fines for enterprises involved in minor accidents is 300,000 yuan ($42,100); in relatively big accidents, 1 million yuan; and in major accidents 2 million yuan," he said.

随着龙年临近，龙年的英文翻译又吵上热搜了。目前英语里常用的翻译是The Year of the Dragon，但英语受众看到dragon和我们在脑海里浮现的龙的形象完全不一样。2024 is“The Year of the Dragon” on Chinese lunar calendar, but whether that’s the proper translation of the imaginary animal that’s an iconic symbol of China has aroused heated debate.从神话传说上看，欧美文学家想象中的龙是顶级怪物，拥有堪称天花板的顶级战斗力。双翅一展开就能遮天蔽日，血盆大口一张就能喷出火焰。拥有这种技能的龙往往以恶龙的形象出现，飞沙走石为害人间，也特别喜欢从村民处搜刮财富囤积到洞里。欧洲神话里特别爱描绘这样的龙，风靡世界的神话传说《指环王》里就有条巨龙史矛革身形巨大，甚至由于常年睡在黄金珠宝堆里而给自己覆盖了一身刀枪不入的铠甲。Influenced by Greek mythology, the dragon is the keeper of treasures, so the dragon represents the evil symbol of greed and destruction. In addition to the image of“Saint George slaying the dragon” in the medieval manuscripts of Europe, there is also the Great Red Dragon in the Christian Bible, Book of Revelation, which refers to Satan in the end times.所以欧洲神话中的勇士往往是屠龙者，干掉一条恶龙才能证明自己的实力，在这一过程中也能取得财宝充盈自己的库房，在众望所归中成为一片土地的君王。英格兰《圣乔治与龙》中，恶龙要求人类献祭人做它的食物，英雄圣乔治则拔剑斩杀了恶龙才获得影响力，从而晋位英格兰的守护神。更有甚者，拥有强大力量的英雄一旦受到邪恶力量沾染，自己也会变成龙。日耳曼神话《尼伯龙根的指环》中，王子法夫尼尔就因为贪恋财宝而杀害自己的国王父亲还抢夺兄弟的财物，最终受到宝石诅咒而变成了巨龙，守着自己抢来的财宝过日子去了。还有就是大家喜闻乐见的桥段“屠龙者变成新的巨龙”，总之欧洲神话里的dragon基本上没有好东西。从生物学上来说，欧洲人想象的这种两个翅膀四条腿的dragon更像是一种很高等很罕见的爬行动物。Dragon的头很像蜥蜴，尖牙利爪和皮肤上厚厚的疙瘩鳞片也都能从恐龙和鳄鱼身上找到原型。与中国鲤鱼跳龙门的传说对应，欧洲有些神话本身就把蜥蜴和龙视为近亲。ForEuropeans, dragon is usually a monster keeping distances away from people, a symbol of darkness. With four legs and two huge black wings,they can spit fire or even poison gas out of their mouth, with great destructive power.其实生物学分类本来就把dragon往爬行动物上靠，鸟和龟鳖都是主龙类。听起来吓人，其实就是蜥蜴的后代……就这样的dragon，是怎么跟我们的龙对应上的？这完全不是一回事好嘛。中国神话中的龙也很强大，但其强大不一定在力量，而在于象征着祥瑞、和平与喜气。中国龙是可爱的，当听说叶公喜欢自己时，能从高高的天上降下去拜访这位粉丝；中国龙甚至是需要上班打卡的，四海的龙王都有兴风布雨之责，《西游记》里的泾河龙王因为违反工作纪律还被咔擦了。中国龙的强大，在道而不在力，与dragon不是一条道上的。Contrary to the evil image of European dragons, Chinese dragons traditionally symbolize potent and auspicious power, strength, and good luck.They even have jobs with strict disciplines, as in Chinese legends dragons were appointed heads of the four seas where they must keep order, as well as the job of bringing rain to the earth.翻翻历史书，这个乱拉郎配的锅应该谁背已经没法考证了。我们唯一能知道的是，在鸦片战争后英国传教士马礼逊编写的首部英汉汉英字典中，龙就和dragon互译了。他也是首位把基督教圣经翻译成中文的人，在他做的《圣经》中文版中，他把英文中的dragon都翻译成了“龙”。不知道他怎么想的，或许当时他考虑的是中西方传说中最强大的生物互相对应？从那以后，在绝大部分场合龙和dragon都是互译关系。电影《卧虎藏龙》英文名为“Crouching tiger, hidden dragon”。无论如何，dragon和龙字并不直接对应却被直接互译，已经在一定程度上导致了文化误解，毕竟中国龙和西方dragon形象的建构千差万别。误解到什么地步呢？2012年，美国著名经济学家威廉·恩道尔写了本书《目标中国：华盛顿的“屠龙”战略》(Target China: How Washington and Wall Street plan to cage the Asian dragon)，揭露了美国政客是怎么计划“屠”中国这条“龙”的。In 2012, US economist William Engdahl had written a book Target China: How Washington and Wall Street plan to cage the Asian dragon, in which he revealed how US politicians planned to “slay” the Chinese “dragon”.其实在我们的东邻日本，中国龙和西方dragon还不是一个词。日语中有两个概念都跟龙有关，一个概念是从中国传入的两个汉字“龍”或“竜”，另外一个是西方传来的dragon音译“ドラゴン”，有一定混用的情形但总体还是能区分开的。两个汉字又有区分，龍常见于姓名，竜则更倾向于与dragon合流，比如恐龙在日语中写作恐竜而非恐龍。从日语里也能看出，中国龙和西方dragon完全不是一回事。In the Japanese language with a shared cultural ground with China, Western dragon and Chinese loong are written in different characters that mix sometimes but generally are separated.中国大陆以外的场合，也有人在表达时注意区分龙和dragon。上个世纪九十年代曾经火遍经济学界的概念“亚洲四小龙”，英文表述就是”four tigers”而不是“four dragons”。在龙的英文表达问题上我们似乎可以更讲究一些区分。这个区分也有现成的例子可以借鉴。龙的英文音译叫loong，新加坡总理李显龙就叫Lee Hsien Loong，美国功夫巨星李小龙则叫Bruce Lee Siu Loong，loong作为龙的英文是没有问题的，至少比dragon少了许多误解。或许loong取代dragon做中国龙还需要时日，但支持的朋友们不妨先用起来。TheWesternconcept of dragon is not so consistent with the image of Chinese dragon. If you want to express the content related to the Chinese dragon, then you should choose“loong”, saying “Iwas born in the year of the loong” or“Happy theYear of Loong”. 记者：张周项

Beijingers usually have spring pancakes at the start of spring, that’s what they call “a bite of spring”. Spring pancakes are not pancakes in the Western sense made from batter, but more like burritos. Here’s how you eat them like a pro. # ChinasHiddenTreasures

Lost for a century and taking 120 hours to prepare, this hotpot was loved by Empress Dowager Cixi, and is now available to everyone. This video unveils the mask of a long-lost Chinese imperial delicacy—chrysanthemum hotpot. #ChinasHiddenTreasures

Forty minutes from downtown #Beijing, you’ll find the bustling Shahe Market where you can taste mouth-watering local food, find some bargains, and immerse yourself in the lively festive atmosphere of the upcoming Spring Festival. Come and see a different side of Beijing city. #ChinasHiddenTreasures 

After the European Union approved a four-year €50 billion ($53.86 billion) aid package to Ukraine last week, it was widely regarded as only being a matter of time before the US Congress would give the nod to the new military aid that the Joe Biden administration has long demanded for US proxies and allies on various fronts.继上周欧盟批准对乌克兰为期四年、金额达500亿欧元（合3865亿人民币）的援助计划后，人们普遍认为美国国会批准拜登的新军事援助只是时间问题。拜登政府长期以来在各方面都要求美国的代理人和盟友进行此类军事援助。Senators on Sunday released the highly anticipated $118 billion package for Ukraine, Israel and other allies of the United States, which, as demanded by Republicans, is paired with border enforcement policy.2月4日，参议员们公布了备受期待的针对乌克兰、以色列和美国其他盟友的一揽子计划，所需金额高达1180亿美元。按照共和党的要求，该计划与边境执法政策相结合，以推进计划平稳落地。That the Biden administration is required to strengthen federal border control in Texas and other border states, something that many Republicans insist is still not strong enough, was made the prerequisite for the military aid package after days of hard debate showed the extent to which some in the country's divided legislature are willing to take advantage of grave geopolitical situations in various parts of the world to realize their domestic agenda.许多共和党人坚称边境管控力度不够，要求拜登政府加强对得克萨斯州和其他边境州的联邦边境管制，经过几天的激烈辩论后，这一要求变成了军事援助计划的先决条件，这表明美国热衷于利用世界各地严峻的地缘政治局势来实现其国内议程。The aforementioned proposal to make border control a condition for the approval of the military aid package quickly ran into a wall of opposition from top House Republicans, including Speaker Mike Johnson. The Senate was expected this week to hold a key test vote on the legislation, but within hours of the text being released Johnson said on social media that it would be "dead on arrival" if it reaches the House.上述将边境管制作为批准军事援助计划的条件的提议很快遭到了包括议长迈克·约翰逊在内的众议院共和党高层的反对。预计参议院本周将对该法案进行关键的测试投票，但在消息发布数小时后，约翰逊在社交媒体上表示，一旦法案提交至众议院，必将“胎死腹中”。As the US media observed, the coming days will be "a crucial test" of whether congressional leaders can once again muscle their members to support such a package that is designed to assert the US' global commitment, and also shows the country's division on its own woes — only by leveraging bipartisan consensus on geopolitics can the two parties seek to accomplish their interest exchanges.正如美方媒体所言，未来几天将是决定国会领导人能否成功再次动员所有议员，支持这一揽子计划的关键时期。这一揽子计划一方面服务于美国的全球野心，另一方面也显示出了美国国内党派的分裂性。两党只有利用两党地缘政治共识，才能实现利益交换。Thus the worry of some is reasonable that the partisan strife in the country, which will only markedly intensify with the unfolding of the presidential election, will add more uncertainties to the solution of international geopolitical problems, including rising tensions.因此，一些人的担忧是合理的，即随着总统选举的展开，该国的党派斗争只会明显加剧，这将为国际地缘政治问题的解决增加更多的不确定性，局势会更加紧张。The quadrennial political show of the US will overlap with the key stages for development of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Middle East crisis. Both crises have come to a critical juncture with more parties, such as Islamic State, seeking to take advantage of the conflicts after realizing the US is now preoccupied with its pre-election tussling.美国四年一度的政治秀恰逢俄乌冲突、中东危机关键时期。这两场危机都已到了紧要关头，越来越多的政党，例如伊斯兰国，在意识到美国现在正忙于大选前的角，寻求从冲突中获利。With Washington still resorting to force to assert itself, it is in danger of being played if it continues to divide its focus in this way. This will only propel the global turbulence to an even more acutely dangerous pitch.美国若一直诉诸武力来为自己获取利益，不只徒分心神，最终反而惹火上身。这一结果无疑会将全球动荡推向更加危险的境地。turbulence英 /ˈtɜː.bjə.ləns/ 美 /ˈtɝː.bjə.ləns/n.漩涡tussle英/ˈtʌs.əl/ 美  /ˈtʌs.əl/v. 争执；争辩

China is launching a campaign targeting production safety accidents in coal mines following a newly enacted administrative regulation focused on the problem.中国正在开展一场针对煤矿生产安全事故的运动，此前刚刚颁布了一项针对这一问题的行政法规。The regulation was passed at the executive meeting of the State Council, China's Cabinet, last December and will be implemented in May.该条例于2023年12月在国务院常务会议上通过，将于2024年5月实施。Huang Jinsheng, head of the National Mine Safety Administration, said at a news conference held by the State Council Information Office on Sunday that coal mining, a traditionally high-risk industry, has always been a priority for production safety officials.2024年2月4日，国家矿山安全监察局局长黄锦生在国务院新闻办举行的新闻发布会上表示，煤矿作为传统的高危行业，一直是生产安全官员的首要关注点。He emphasized that as the nation seeks to further its socioeconomic development, there have been outstanding issues in coal mine production, such as the "inadequate implementation of safety production responsibilities, incomplete investigations, lax oversight of risks and hidden dangers, and an imperfect management system".他强调，随着国家寻求进一步的社会经济发展，煤矿生产中存在一些突出问题，如“安全生产责任制落实不到位、调查不全面、风险监管松懈、隐患多、管理制度不完善”等。The latest regulation was formulated against this backdrop, said Huang, noting that it's a foundational regulation in mining production safety, comprehensively summarizing the results of safety work in the field in recent years.黄锦生说，该条例就是在此背景下制定的。它是煤矿安全生产的基础性法规，全面总结了近年来该领域安全工作的成果。"The adoption of the regulation will help further implement the primary responsibility of coal mine enterprises in terms of safety production, and further strengthen supervision and monitoring responsibilities," he said.他说：“该条例的通过将有助于进一步落实煤矿企业在安全生产方面的主体责任，进一步加强监督和监测责任。” Production accidents in coal mines across the country have occurred frequently in recent times.近期，全国各地煤矿生产事故频发。In November, there was a major gas explosion at a coal mine in Heilongjiang province. The following month in Heilongjiang, there was an underground mine cart accident at another mine. The combined accidents resulted in 23 deaths and 13 injuries.11月，黑龙江省一煤矿发生重大瓦斯爆炸事故。12月，黑龙江另一煤矿发生井下矿车事故。两起事故共造成23人死亡，13人受伤。Also last month, another explosion happened at a coal mine in Henan province, causing 16 fatalities.就在上个月，河南省一煤矿又发生爆炸事故，造成16人死亡。According to the nation's chief mining production regulator, the regulation clearly stipulates that coal mine production should prioritize people's lives and property, adhering to the principle of "safety first".据国家煤矿生产监管部门负责人介绍，该条例明确规定，煤矿生产应当优先保障人民群众生命财产安全，坚持“安全第一”的原则。The regulation requires coal mine enterprises to regularly conduct safety inspections of their mines, marking the first time the relationship between coal mine enterprises and mines has been explicitly defined in administrative regulations.该条例要求煤矿企业定期对所属煤矿进行安全检查，这是行政法规中首次明确界定煤矿企业与煤矿之间的关系。The regulation also specifically demands that governments at the county level and above supervise and inspect coal mine enterprises, especially front-line production workplaces, said Huang, stressing that doing so increases the accountability of government officials.黄锦生说，该条例还特别要求县级以上政府监督和检查煤矿企业，特别是一线生产场所，这样做提高了政府官员的责任感。It's worth noting some local governments have allowed mines lacking safety guarantees to operate to ensure coal production and supply. Some grassroots governments "turn a blind eye" to illegal activities in coal mines within their jurisdictions, "even providing protection", according to another senior mining supervision official.值得注意的是，一些地方政府允许缺乏安全保障的矿山继续运营，以确保煤炭的生产和供应。另一位高级矿业监管官员表示，一些基层政府对辖区内煤矿的非法活动“视而不见”，“甚至提供保护”。Zhou Dechang, deputy head of the NMSA, underscored that safety must come first before ensuring coal production and supply.国家矿山安全监察局副局长周德昶强调，在确保煤炭生产和供应之前，安全必须放在首位。"They (local governments) cannot knowingly allow mines with significant safety risks to operate without shutting them down. Once a production safety accident occurs, ensuring coal mine production and supply is not an excuse to evade accident responsibility," he said.周德昶表示：“他们（地方政府）不能明知矿山存在重大安全隐患而允许其继续运营而不关闭。一旦发生生产安全事故，确保煤矿生产和供应并不是逃避事故责任的借口。”"Those who are directly responsible must be held accountable, and those suspected of illegal crimes should be transferred to judicial authorities for criminal prosecution."“对直接负责的人员必须追究责任，对涉嫌违法犯罪的人员应当移送司法机关追究刑事责任。”Some local coal mine enterprises prefer to pay the relatively low cost of the fines rather than comply with the law, production regulators said.生产监管部门表示，一些地方煤矿企业宁愿支付相对较低的罚款，也不愿遵守法律，。Xue Jianguang, director for policy and regulation at the NMSA, said penalties imposed by previous laws and regulations were too light.国家矿山安全监察局政策法规处处长薛剑光表示，此前法律法规规定的处罚过轻。To address this, the regulation further increases the cost of illegal activities for enterprises, including raising the minimum amount of fines, Xue said.薛剑光说，为了解决这一问题，该条例进一步增加了企业的违法成本，包括提高罚款的最低数额。"According to China's Production Safety Law, the minimum fines for enterprises involved in minor accidents is 300,000 yuan ($42,100); in relatively big accidents, 1 million yuan; and in major accidents 2 million yuan," he said.

As the Chinese people prepare for family reunions to be held during the upcoming Spring Festival, their most important holiday of the year, President Xi Jinping conveyed messages of good wishes, support and confidence for the Lunar New Year.The messages were extended to Chinese at home and abroad as Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made a two-day fact-finding trip to Tianjin starting on Thursday, during which he surveyed a disaster-hit village, a bustling ancient street and a museum.The practice of visiting grassroots families, long upheld by the nation's top leader, showcases a people-oriented development philosophy and the strong emphasis of the nation's leadership on improving the people's well-being, analysts said.Braving freezing temperatures, Xi visited the village of Diliufu, where farmland was hit by devastating floods in late July and early August.It was the third time that the president has visited the flood-hit households since September, as he highlighted the need to ensure that the families have a warm winter.In the village, Xi spoke with vegetable farmers whose facilities were damaged in August, before sitting down for talks with a family of four generations living under one roof.While expressing his delight at the progress of the village's post-disaster recovery, Xi told the villagers that the Party's central leadership has "made a resolution to improve the livelihood of the people by striving to enhance the construction of water conservancy and flood control projects".The message from the president resonated strongly with the villagers of Diliufu.Zhang Caiyun, a 64-year-old resident, said the president's visit has "given the village a festive atmosphere before the arrival of Spring Festival", which falls on Saturday.She said that for her, the visit was filled with touching moments, as Xi patiently inquired about the villagers' daily lives."I didn't expect that the general secretary would visit and that he would pay such particular attention to matters of our concern," she said.The fact that Xi assured the residents that the nation's top leadership would scale up its investment in water management projects gave a lift to villagers like Zhang.She said the flooding in August hit the village extremely hard, as farmers saw their rice paddies and greenhouses damaged. Part of the flooded farmlands has now been planted with wheat and vegetables, with a majority of the greenhouses already repaired.Du Zixi, an entrepreneur who has invested in a tourism program in Diliufu, said the president not only conveyed warmth to the residents, but also extended confidence to businesses.She said the flooding last year nearly washed away years' worth of her company's investment in the village.As the president delivered assurances that more steps would be taken to improve water management projects for the public's well-being, Du said her company will continue to invest in the village and create more jobs for local residents.Han Qiang, dean of the School of Marxism at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said that during the trip, the president rallied the public to have "full of confidence" for the new year."Strong confidence is the key to overcoming the difficulties facing the economy. It is also a must for the nation as it navigates through a complex global landscape to secure its second centenary goal," he said. The second centenary goal is to turn China into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful by the time the People's Republic of China celebrates its centenary in 2049.Since he was first elected as general secretary of the CPC Central Committee in November 2012, Xi has made it a regular practice to visit families ahead of the Lunar New Year, especially rural households and groups with difficulties.Between 2013 and 2022, Xi visited rural families in Gansu, Shaanxi, Jiangxi, Hebei, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou and Shanxi provinces and the Inner Mongolia autonomous region before the festival, underscoring the Party's unwavering commitment to boosting rural development.Families that have been affected by natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods are another priority for Xi when choosing the destinations for his trips ahead of the Lunar New Year.In Shanxi, he visited the home of a family that had been hit by floods in 2021 and learned about their living conditions. In 2018, he visited Yingxiu, a township in Wenchuan county of Sichuan province, which was the epicenter of a major earthquake that killed tens of thousands in 2008.Ma Liang, a professor of public administration at Renmin University of China, said Xi's visits to disaster-hit families before Spring Festival showed the strong level of support from the top leadership when the families needed it the most.The trip to Tianjin again reflected the president's high regard for the people and their well-being, he said."It also sent a messa

A judge in the US state of Delaware voided the $56 billion compensation package of Tesla chief executive Elon Musk on Tuesday, siding with a shareholder who claimed the entrepreneur was overpaid.1月30日，美国特拉华州的一名法官宣布特斯拉首席执行官埃隆·马斯克(Elon Musk)的560亿美元赔偿方案无效，法官和该公司一位股东观点一致，认为这位企业家的薪酬过高。The judge in Delaware Chancery Court ruled that the plaintiff, a Tesla shareholder named Richard Tornetta, was "entitled to rescission", approving the annulment of Musk's 2018 humongous compensation agreement worth as much as $55.8 billion.特拉华州衡平法院法官裁定，原告、特斯拉股东理查德·托内塔（Richard Tornetta）“有权撤销”，批准废除马斯克2018年价值高达558亿美元的巨额赔偿协议。Judge Kathaleen McCormick added that the parties must now "confer" and then submit a joint letter "identifying all issues, including fees, that need to be addressed to bring this matter to a conclusion at the triallevel".凯瑟琳·麦考密克法官补充说，双方现在必须“协商”，然后提交一封联名信，确定需要解决的所有问题，包括费用，以便在审判阶段得出结论。The electric vehicle maker's share price fell more than 3 percent in after-hours trading following the publication of the 200-page ruling. In a message posted on X, formerly Twitter, shortly after the decision was announced, Musk — currently ranked by Forbes magazine as the world's richest person — wrote, "Never incorporate your company in the state of Delaware."在这份长达200页的裁决发布后，这家电动汽车制造商的股价在盘后交易中下跌了3%以上。 在该决定宣布后不久，目前被《福布斯》杂志评为世界首富的马斯克在X（前身为Twitter）上发布的一条消息中写道，“永远不要在特拉华州注册你的公司。”A lawyer for Musk did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 马斯克的律师没有立即回应置评请求。"We are enormously grateful for the court's thorough and extraordinarily well-reasoned decision in turning back the Tesla board's absurdly outsized pay package for Musk," Greg Varallo, who represented the shareholders, said in a statement shared with Agence France-Presse. "The court's hard work will redound directly to the benefit of Tesla investors, who will see the dilution from this gargantuan pay package erased," he added.股东代表格雷格·瓦拉洛(Greg Varallo)在法新社分享的一份声明中表示：“我们非常感谢法院彻底且极其合理的决定，取消了特斯拉董事会向马斯克提供的高得离谱的薪酬方案。法院的辛勤工作将直接回报特斯拉投资者的利益，他们将看到这一巨额薪酬方案所带来的稀释作用被消除”。Musk's 2018 compensation plan was "the largest potential compensation opportunity ever observed in public markets by multiple orders of magnitude", McCormick wrote in her decision.麦考密克在决定中写道，马斯克的2018年薪酬计划是“公开市场上观察到的最大的潜在薪酬机会，增长了多个数量级”。The unusual plan, valued at a maximum of $55.8 billion, would allow Musk to receive Tesla shares in 12 tranches, based on hitting certain performance criteria. Musk was sued, along with Tesla and some other members of the company's board of directors; the case went to trial in 2022.  这项价值最高558亿美元的不寻常计划将允许马斯克根据达到某些业绩标准分12批获得特斯拉股票。马斯克、特斯拉和公司董事会的其他一些成员都被起诉；此案于2022年开庭审理。During his trial in Delaware, Musk told the courtroom that investors "thought we would fail and go bankrupt", at the time the pay deal was approved. "We were in quite a tough position at the time. We were losing a lot of money," he said. "The probability of survival was extremely low."在特拉华州的审判期间，马斯克告诉法庭，在薪酬协议获得批准时，投资者认为我们会失败并破产。当时我们的处境相当艰难，们损失了很多钱，生存的可能性极低。compensation agreement补偿协议