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Ep 126英语新闻丨樱桃货源充足 规避节前困局
For much of the past decade, Chile's export of cherries to China ran on a narrow calendar.过去十年间,智利樱桃对华出口长期受制于狭窄的时令窗口。From December to early the following year, the fruit ripened in Chile's central valleys. Weeks later, just ahead of the Chinese New Year, those cherries arrived as a seasonal luxury, scarce, expensive and tightly bound to the holiday. The logic was simple: southern-hemisphere harvests met Northern Hemisphere festivities, and value depended on timing as much as taste.从十二月到次年年初,智利中部山谷的果实逐渐成熟。数周后,恰逢中国新年之际,这些樱桃作为季节性奢侈品抵达,稀缺昂贵,与节日紧密相连。其逻辑很简单:南半球的收获期恰逢北半球的节日庆典,价值取决于时机与风味同样重要。That logic is now weakening.这种逻辑如今正在减弱。In early 2026, more than a month before Chinese New Year, Chilean cherries were already widely available in China at prices far below previous norms. Boxes of JJ-level Chilean cherry (with a diameter of 28 to 30 millimeters) weighing about 2.5 kilograms were selling for around 159 yuan ($22.7) in major supermarkets in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan province, with some promotional prices falling to 99 yuan, roughly 40 percent lower than a year earlier.2026年初,距离春节还有一个多月时,智利樱桃已在国内广泛上市,价格远低于往年水平。在西南地区四川省成都市的主要超市里,每箱重约2.5公斤的JJ级智利樱桃(直径28至30毫米)售价约159元(22.7美元),促销价甚至低至99元,较去年同期下降约40%。At local wholesale markets, prices fell even more sharply, with some high-grade cherries priced at nearly half of last year's level.在当地批发市场,价格跌幅更为显著,部分优质樱桃的价格几乎跌至去年水平的一半。Such movements do not point to a weakening of demand. Rather, they reflect a structural change in how supply reaches the market.此类变动并非表明需求疲软,而是反映了供应进入市场的结构性变化。Importers say the traditional preholiday bottleneck has eased, as improved logistics have reduced the need for cherries to flood the market in a short festive window.进口商表示,传统的节前供应瓶颈已有所缓解,因为物流改善减少了樱桃在短暂节日窗口期涌入市场的必要性。The redistribution of time has institutional roots.这种时间的重新分配具有制度根源。China and Chile's upgraded free trade agreement in 2017 placed more than 97 percent of traded products under zero tariffs, lowering the fixed costs of entry for Chilean cherries. Over time, it encouraged not just higher volumes but investment in logistics capable of delivering large quantities with greater predictability.2017年中国与智利升级的自由贸易协定使超过97%的贸易产品享受零关税待遇,降低了智利樱桃进入中国市场的固定成本。随着时间推移,该协定不仅促进了出口量的增长,更推动了物流领域的投资——这些投资使大宗樱桃能够以更高的可预测性完成运输。The result is a highly concentrated trade relationship. In the previous harvest season, more than 90 percent of Chile's cherry exports went to China. That degree of demand certainty has allowed the industry to organize production and shipments across the entire season, rather than around a single holiday peak.由此形成了高度集中的贸易关系。在上个采收季,智利樱桃出口量的90%以上销往中国。如此确定的需求量使该行业得以在整个采收季统筹安排生产和运输,而非仅围绕单一节庆高峰期运作。Claudia Soler, executive director of the Cherries Committee of Fruits from Chile, described the relationship as both economic and cultural. China, she said, is the market that enabled the industry's expansion. The cherry's red color and rounded shape, she added, closely align with Chinese cultural symbolism, especially around the Chinese New Year, when cherries became a popular gift symbolizing happiness and success.智利水果出口商协会下属智利车厘子委员会执行总监克劳迪娅·索勒将两国关系描述为经济与文化双重纽带。她指出,中国市场推动了智利樱桃产业的扩张。樱桃的鲜红色彩与圆润造型,恰与中华文化象征高度契合——尤其在春节期间,樱桃作为象征幸福与成功的热门礼品广受欢迎。Since 2018, Chile has operated a direct shipping route to China known as the "cherry express", cutting transit time from roughly 30 days to about 23 days. By the end of 2025, this dedicated shipping corridor had been further scaled up, doubling the number of direct sailings compared with the previous year. This allows cherries to arrive in China in greater volumes during the peak harvest season.自2018年起,智利开通了直达中国的“樱桃快线”航运通道,将运输时间从约30天缩短至23天左右。截至2025年底,这条专用航运通道进一步扩容,直航班次较上年翻倍增长。这使得樱桃在丰收旺季能以更大规模运抵中国。This shift has reshaped incentives at the production end. Data from the office of agrarian studies and policies at Chile's Ministry of Agriculture show that the cherry planting area has expanded roughly twenty-fold since 2000, nearly doubling from about 38,392 hectares in 2019 to 70,686 hectares by 2024.这一转变重塑了生产端的激励机制。智利农业部农业研究与政策办公室数据显示,樱桃种植面积自2000年以来扩大了约二十倍,从2019年的38,392公顷增至2024年的70,686公顷,增幅近一倍。Industry participants attribute this rapid growth in part to the gradual formation of a logistics system geared toward the Chinese market, which has given Chilean growers clearer expectations over timing, allowing them to expand planting and plan output with greater confidence.行业人士认为,这种快速增长部分归功于面向中国市场的物流体系逐步形成,这使智利种植者对时间节点有了更清晰的预期,从而能够更自信地扩大种植规模并规划产量。Processing hubs in Chile's central regions now operate on a different temporal logic. Time remains critical, but it is no longer singular. In the past, a delayed shipment could miss the Chinese New Year altogether, erasing margins and turning a strong harvest into a liability. Today, improved transport has allowed exporters to distribute shipments across the season, reducing the risk concentrated in any single sailing.智利中部地区的加工中心如今遵循着不同的时间逻辑。时间依然至关重要,但已不再是唯一考量。过去,货运延误可能导致错过整个春节销售期,利润尽失,丰收反而变成负担。如今,运输条件的改善使出口商能够将货运分散在整个季节进行,从而降

Ep 127英语新闻丨央行下调定向货币政策工具利率
China will cut interest rates on targeted monetary policy tools and expand related quotas to spur lending in key areas and improve market expectations, underscoring policymakers' resolve to support a solid economic start to the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period, officials and experts said.官员和专家表示,中国将下调定向货币政策工具利率并扩大相关额度,以促进重点领域信贷投放、改善市场预期,凸显政策层支持“十五五”规划(2026—2030年)开局良好的坚定决心。Zou Lan, vice-governor of the People's Bank of China, said on Thursday that the central bank will reduce interest rates of various structural monetary instruments by 0.25 percentage points as it implements a moderately accommodative monetary policy, with the one-year rate on central bank lending facilities to be lowered from 1.5 percent to 1.25 percent.中国人民银行副行长邹澜周四表示,在实施适度宽松的货币政策背景下,央行将把多项结构性货币政策工具利率下调25个基点,其中一年期央行贷款工具利率将由1.5%下调至1.25%。Interest rates for other maturities will be adjusted accordingly, with effect from Monday.其他期限的利率也将相应调整,并自周一起生效。Speaking at a news conference, Zou said the quota of key structural monetary instruments will be expanded. This includes a central bank lending quota worth 1 trillion yuan ($143.4 billion) to support small and medium-sized private companies, and a 400 billion yuan increase in the central bank lending quota for technological innovation and upgrades, bringing the total to 1.2 trillion yuan.邹澜在新闻发布会上表示,重点结构性货币政策工具额度将进一步扩大。其中包括新增1万亿元人民币(约1434亿美元)的央行贷款额度,用于支持中小民营企业;同时,将科技创新和技术改造领域的央行贷款额度增加4000亿元,使总规模达到1.2万亿元。In terms of broad-based easing measures, Zou said there remains room this year for benchmark interest rate cuts and reductions in the reserve requirement ratio, or RRR — the proportion of deposits that banks must hold as reserves, which now stands at 6.3 percent on average.在全面宽松措施方面,邹澜表示,今年基准利率下调以及下调存款准备金率(RRR)仍有空间。目前银行存款准备金率平均为6.3%。"Overall, the exchange rate does not pose a strong constraint (on interest rate cuts)," Zou said. Domestically, he said that net interest margins of banks started to stabilize in 2025, and that the latest reduction in rates on structural policy tools will further lower funding costs of banks, making room for broad-based rate cuts.“总体来看,汇率并未对降息形成明显制约。”邹澜表示。从国内情况看,银行净息差在2025年开始企稳,而此次下调结构性政策工具利率将进一步降低银行资金成本,为全面降息创造空间。Lou Feipeng, a researcher at the Postal Savings Bank of China, said the policy package has sent a clear signal of targeted easing, helping anchor market expectations while strengthening the precision and sustainability of financial support for the real economy.中国邮政储蓄银行研究员娄飞鹏表示,该政策组合释放了明确的定向宽松信号,有助于稳定市场预期,同时提升金融支持实体经济的精准性和可持续性。"With banks' net interest margins stabilizing and about 50 trillion yuan of medium- to long-term deposits set to mature in 2026, expectations for a first-quarter RRR cut have strengthened. Heavy government bond issuance in January and related liquidity demand could further raise the odds of such a move," Lou said.娄飞鹏指出,随着银行净息差趋稳,且约50万亿元的中长期存款将于2026年到期,市场对一季度降准的预期有所增强;1月份地方和中央政府债券的集中发行及其带来的流动性需求,或将进一步提高降准的可能性。Zou, the central bank vice-governor, vowed to increase liquidity injections and flexibly conduct open market operations of buying and selling government bonds to create a supportive monetary and financial environment for the smooth issuance of government debt.央行副行长邹澜表示,将加大流动性投放力度,灵活开展买卖国债的公开市场操作,为政府债券平稳发行营造良好的货币金融环境。Zou added that the minimum down payment ratio for loans to purchase commercial properties will be lowered to 30 percent to help reduce inventory in the commercial real estate market.邹澜还表示,购买商业用房贷款的最低首付比例将下调至30%,以帮助消化商业房地产市场库存。Ming Ming, chief economist at CITIC Securities, said, "Given current capital market conditions, the new policies — cutting rates on structural tools while keeping an active tone on broad-based measures — will serve the dual goals of stabilizing market expectations and preventing asset bubbles."中信证券首席经济学家明明表示:“在当前资本市场环境下,此次政策在下调结构性工具利率的同时保持对全面措施的积极基调,将有助于同时实现稳定市场预期和防范资产泡沫的双重目标。”According to Zou, the renminbi exchange rate is expected to continue "moving in both directions with flexibility", with China's vast market and complete industrial chain to help offset external uncertainties.邹澜表示,人民币汇率有望继续保持“双向波动、弹性增强”的运行态势,中国庞大的市场规模和完整的产业链将有助于对冲外部不确定性。targeted monetary policy tools 定向货币政策工具structural monetary instruments结构性货币政策工具central bank lending facilities 央行贷款工具reserve requirement ratio (RRR)存款准备金率net interest margin /net ˈɪntrəst ˈmɑːrdʒɪn/净息差liquidity injections /lɪˈkwɪdəti ɪnˈdʒekʃənz/流动性投放

Ep 128How to Create a New Year's Resolution You Won't Abandon Halfway
This episode delves into the reasons why most New Year’s resolutions fail and offers strategies for creating lasting change. Drawing from behavioral psychology, habit science, and real-life examples, the host and guest explore a system-based, anti-fragile approach to personal transformation, moving beyond mere motivation and willpower. Listeners will learn how to identify intrinsic motivation, craft SMART+ goals, and build practical execution systems that can withstand stress, fatigue, and real-life disruptions.

Ep 129英语新闻丨China, Canada vow to enhance bilateral ties
China and Canada pledged on Thursday to jointly uphold the multilateral trading system and the core role of the United Nations in international affairs while agreeing to strengthen dialogue and promote cooperation in various fields.Premier Li Qiang and visiting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed the two countries' commitment to enhancing bilateral relations and safeguarding multilateralism during their talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.Carney arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a four-day official visit to China, the first trip to the country by a Canadian prime minister in eight years, highlighting the recent warming of bilateral ties. President Xi Jinping is expected to meet with him during Carney's stay in Beijing.Li said that, through joint efforts, China-Canada relations have seen a turnaround, which has been widely welcomed by various sectors in both countries.Maintaining a healthy and stable development of China-Canada relations aligns with the common interests of both nations, he added.Standing at a new starting point, China is willing to work with Canada to maintain the strategic partnership, strengthen dialogue and communication, enhance political mutual trust, respect each other's core interests, seek common ground while reserving differences, and continuously expand pragmatic cooperation to add greater momentum to the development of both countries, Li said. He underlined the need for the two countries to promote stable growth in bilateral trade.Li also stressed the need for both sides to enhance trade facilitation, deepen collaboration in the fields of clean energy, digital technology, modern agriculture, aviation and aerospace, advanced manufacturing and finance, and foster more new drivers of economic growth.While welcoming more Canadian companies to invest in China, the premier expressed the hope that Canada would provide a fair and nondiscriminatory business environment for Chinese companies investing in the country.China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Canada under the frameworks of the UN, the World Trade Organization and the G20, in order to jointly uphold multilateralism and free trade, improve global governance and promote the international order toward a more just and reasonable direction, Li said.

Ep 130社论丨关税威胁危及来之不易的积极势头
US President Donald Trump's recent threat to impose a 25 percent tariff on any country "doing business with" Iran has once again injected uncertainty into global trade and raised fresh concerns about the stability of China-US economic relations. While details of the proposed measure remain vague and its legal basis unresolved, the signal it sends is troubling: unilateral tariff threats risk undoing the hard-won progress achieved through dialogue and cooperation in recent months.美国总统唐纳德·特朗普近期威胁称,将对任何“与伊朗开展商业往来”的国家征收25%的关税,此举再次为全球贸易注入不确定性,并引发外界对中美经济关系稳定性的新的担忧。尽管该措施的具体细节仍不明确,其法律依据亦尚未厘清,但其释放出的信号令人不安:单边关税威胁可能抵消近几个月来通过对话与合作所取得的来之不易的进展。A trading partner of Iran, China's position on the issue is clear and consistent. As Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning stated in response to questions on the matter on Tuesday, tariff wars have no winners, and China will firmly protect its legitimate and lawful rights and interests. This principled stance reflects not only China's own development experience but also a widely shared international consensus that trade barriers and coercive economic measures ultimately harm all sides.作为伊朗的贸易伙伴之一,中国在这一问题上的立场清晰且一贯。外交部发言人毛宁在周二就相关问题回应时表示,关税战没有赢家,中国将坚定维护自身合法正当权益。这一原则立场不仅源于中国自身的发展经验,也反映了国际社会的广泛共识,即贸易壁垒和强制性经济措施最终将损害各方利益。The ambiguity of Trump's new tariff threat unsettles markets, complicates business planning and undermines confidence at a time when the global economy is already facing headwinds. According to the World Bank, the world is entering what may be the weakest decade for growth since the 1960s, with policy uncertainty and trade tensions among the headwinds to global growth.特朗普新的关税威胁所具有的不确定性扰乱了市场秩序,使企业经营规划更加复杂,并在全球经济本就面临多重逆风的背景下进一步削弱信心。世界银行指出,全球正步入自20世纪60年代以来增长最为疲弱的十年,政策不确定性和贸易紧张局势正是制约全球增长的重要逆风因素。For China and the United States, the timing of the threat is sensitive. Over the past months, both sides have made concerted efforts to stabilize their economic and trade ties. The outcomes of their five rounds of economic and trade talks have demonstrated that dialogue based on equality, respect and mutual benefit can yield tangible results.对中美两国而言,这一威胁提出的时机尤为敏感。过去数月,双方一直在共同努力稳定经贸关系。五轮中美经贸会谈的成果表明,建立在平等、尊重与互利基础上的对话能够取得切实成效。Trump himself has also acknowledged the importance of the bilateral relationship, telling the media on Tuesday he believes China can open its markets further to US goods and reaffirming that he maintains a good relationship with his Chinese counterpart. The US administration should realize that cooperation, not confrontation, serves the fundamental interests of both countries, and China remains a major market to the US.特朗普本人也承认双边关系的重要性。他周二在接受媒体采访时表示,相信中国可以进一步向美国商品开放市场,并重申其与中方领导人保持着良好关系。美方应当认识到,合作而非对抗符合两国的根本利益,而中国依然是美国的重要市场。China's economic performance further highlights why confrontation through tariffs is counterproductive. Despite a complex external environment, the country's foreign trade in goods grew by 3.8 percent year-on-year to reach 45.47 trillion yuan ($6.51 trillion) in 2025, hitting a new record high. This resilience, despite some developed economies' "de-risking" or "decoupling" attempts, is driven by China's pro-trade policies, sizable domestic demand as well as its complete and upgrading industrial system that adapts to global needs. For US businesses, China has been and will continue to be an opportunity.中国的经济表现进一步凸显了通过关税进行对抗的做法适得其反。尽管外部环境复杂多变,2025年中国货物贸易进出口总额同比增长3.8%,达到45.47万亿元人民币(约合6.51万亿美元),再创历史新高。这种韧性在一些发达经济体试图“去风险”或“脱钩”的背景下尤为突出,其根源在于中国坚持促进贸易的政策取向、庞大的国内需求,以及不断升级、能够适应全球需求的完整产业体系。对美国企业而言,中国过去是、今后仍将是机遇所在。Attempts to use tariffs as tools of extraterritorial pressure run counter to the principles of international trade. Imposing penalties on third countries for their independent trade decisions infringes upon the legitimate rights of other nations and risks fragmenting the global trading system. The US approach only complicates the problem and will not bring more benefits to the US by giving it more leverage to use. Instead, it will introduce a dynamic that is more difficult to manage and create more variables beyond its control. It is an approach that will lead to a lose-lose situation, ultimately harming the interests of the US itself.将关税作为施加域外压力的工具,违背了国际贸易的基本原则。因第三国作出独立的贸易决策而对其施加惩罚,侵犯了其他国家的正当权利,并有可能导致全球贸易体系碎片化。美方的这一做法只会使问题更加复杂,并不会因为“增加筹码”而为自身带来更多利益,反而会引入更难以管理的局面,制造更多超出其控制范围的变量。这种路径最终将导致两败俱伤,并损害美国自身的利益。The legal uncertainty surrounding the tariffs within the US adds another layer of uncertainty. The US president's reliance on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose broad tariffs is currently under scrutiny by the Supreme Court. A ruling against the Trump administration would not only curtail its authority to unilaterally raise tariffs but also expose it to substantial financial liabilities.关税措施在美国国内所面临的法律不确定性又为局势增添了一层变数。美国总统依据《国际紧急经济权力法》实施广泛关税的做法,正受到最高法院的审查。若裁决不利于特朗普政府,不仅将限制其单方面加征关税的权力,还可能使其面临巨额的财政责任。The progress achieved so far in stabilizing China-US economic and trade ties should be cherished, not squandered. Threat

Ep 131英语新闻丨Space schedule opens with two launches
China launched two carrier rockets on Tuesday, signaling the start of the country's annual space mission schedule, which will feature a robotic lunar landing and two manned spaceflights.中国在周二发射了两枚运载火箭;此举标志着中国年度航天任务计划正式启动,其中包括一次月球机器人着陆任务和两次载人航天飞行。At 10:16 pm, a Long March 6A rocket blasted off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi province, and it soon placed the Yaogan 50A remote-sensing satellite into a preset orbit.1月13日22时16分,长征六号改运载火箭在太原卫星发射中心点火起飞,随后将遥感五十号01星送入预定轨道。The satellite, built by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, is tasked with obtaining data to support land resource surveys, agricultural yield forecasts, and disaster prevention and mitigation.这颗由上海航天技术研究院研制建造的卫星,肩负着获取数据以支持土地资源调查、农业产量预测以及防灾减灾的任务。Data obtained by the Yaogan family, the major series of remote-sensing spacecraft in China, has been widely used by governments, public service sectors and businesses.中国主要遥感卫星系列遥感家族获取的数据已被政府、公共服务部门和企业广泛应用。The Long March 6A, which was also developed by the Shanghai academy, is a medium-lift launch vehicle. It comprises a 50-meter liquid-propelled core booster and four solid-fuel side boosters. The rocket has a liftoff weight of 530 metric tons and is tasked with transporting satellites to multiple types of orbits, including sun-synchronous, low-Earth and intermediate circular ones.长征六号改运载火箭同样由上海航天研究院研制,属于中型运载火箭。该火箭由50米长的液氧煤油核心助推器和四台固体燃料侧助推器组成,起飞重量达530吨,可将卫星送入太阳同步轨道、近地轨道及中地球圆形轨道等多类轨道。The launch marked China's first space mission in 2026 and the 624th flight of the Long March rocket fleet.此次发射标志着中国2026年首次太空任务,也是长征火箭家族的第624次飞行。At 11:25 pm, a Long March 8A carrier rocket lifted off from the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Center, a coastal spaceport in Hainan province, deploying the 18th group of low-orbit satellites for China's State-owned satellite internet network.1月13日23时25分,中国在位于海南省沿海地区的海南商业航天发射场使用长征八号甲运载火箭,成功将卫星互联网低轨18组卫星发射升空,卫星顺利进入预定轨道,发射任务获得圆满成功。These satellites were designed and developed by the China Academy of Space Technology. With their deployment, the State-run mega internet satellite network now has more than 140 satellites operating in low orbits.这些卫星由中国航天科技集团公司设计研制。随着它们的部署,国家运营的超大规模互联网卫星网络现已在低轨道运行超过140颗卫星。The Long March 8A model, developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, is 50.5 meters tall, and it has a core booster and two side boosters. The carrier rocket has a liftoff weight of 371 tons and a liftoff thrust of about 480 tons.由中国运载火箭技术研究院研制的长征八号甲运载火箭,全高50.5米,由核心助推器和两个侧助推器组成。该运载火箭起飞重量达371吨,起飞推力约480吨。It is mainly tasked with placing satellites in sun-synchronous orbits, and is capable of transporting payloads weighing up to 7 tons to a typical sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 700 kilometers.该火箭的主要任务是将卫星送入太阳同步轨道,能够将重达7吨的有效载荷运送至高度700公里的典型太阳同步轨道。This was the seventh time a Long March 8A rocket deployed low-orbit internet satellites.这是长征八号甲运载火箭第七次部署低轨道互联网卫星。Last year, China conducted 93 space missions, setting a new national record for orbital launches in a single year.去年,中国实施了93次航天任务,创下单年轨道发射次数的新纪录。Observers said that 2026 will also be a busy year for China's space industry, with several launches scheduled before the end of January.观察人士指出,2026年也将是中国航天事业繁忙的一年,仅1月底前就计划进行多次发射。The Chang'e 7, a key mission in the fourth phase of the country's lunar exploration project, is scheduled for launch this year.嫦娥七号是我国月球探测工程第四阶段的关键任务,计划于今年发射升空。According to the China National Space Administration, the robotic probe is designed to land on the moon's south pole, and it will survey the surface environment, search for ice and volatile components in lunar soil, and carry out high-precision detection and analysis of lunar terrain, its composition and structure.据中国国家航天局介绍,嫦娥七号计划登陆月球南极,将对月表环境进行勘测,探测月壤中的冰与挥发物成分,并对月球地形、成分及结构进行高精度探测与分析。Program planners said the Chang'e 7 spacecraft will consist of an orbiter, a lander, a rover and a small flying probe capable of reaching lunar pits to search for ice.项目规划人员表示,嫦娥七号探测器将由环月轨道器、月球着陆器、月球车以及一台小型飞行探测器组成,后者能够抵达月球陨坑寻找冰层。This year, two manned missions — the Shenzhou XXIII and the Shenzhou XXIV — are also expected to take place to make crew shifts aboard the Tiangong space station.今年还将实施两次载人飞行任务——神舟二十三号和神舟二十四号,为天宫空间站执行乘组轮换任务。One of the three Shenzhou XXIII crew members will stay a whole year aboard the space station, attempting the longest orbital journey by any Chinese astronaut.神舟二十三号飞船的三名乘组成员中,将有一人将在空间站停留整整一年,这将成为中国航天员迄今为止最长的轨道飞行任务。Industry insiders said it is highly likely that a Pakistani astronaut will participate in a flight to Tiangong this year, and will become the first foreign national aboard the Chinese space station.业内人士表示,一位巴基斯坦宇航员今年极有可能参与天宫空间站的飞行任务,并将成为中国空间站首位外国宇航员。liquid-propelled core booster液氧煤油核心助推器payload/ˈpeɪ.loʊd/n.有效载荷

Ep 132英语新闻丨中国围棋大师聂大师逝世,享年73岁
Chinese Go master Nie Weiping died at the age of 73 in Beijing on Wednesday night, the Chinese Weiqi (Go) Association announced on Thursday.中国围棋协会15日宣布,中国围棋大师聂卫平于14日晚在北京逝世,享年73岁。Born on August 17, 1952, Nie rose to fame in the Go world after leading China to victories at the China-Japan Go Challenge Series in the 1980s, beating several top Japanese players.聂卫平于1952年8月17日出生,在1980年代率领中国队在中日围棋挑战赛中屡获胜利,击败多位日本顶尖棋手,由此在围棋界声名鹊起。In 1988, he was honored as "Go Master" by then-State Physical Culture and Sports Commission of China, the predecessor organization of China's State General Administration of Sport. He was also the honorary president of the Chinese Weiqi Association.1988年,聂卫平被时任中国国家体育委员会(中国国家体育总局的前身)授予“围棋大师”称号,同时担任中国围棋协会名誉主席。

Ep 133英语新闻丨市场监管总局就涉嫌滥用市场支配地位对携程展开调查
China's market regulator has opened a formal investigation into online travel platform Trip.com Group for suspected abuse of its dominant market position and monopolistic practices, according to an official notice released on Wednesday.根据周三发布的一份官方通告,中国市场监管部门已对在线旅游平台携程集团涉嫌滥用市场支配地位、实施垄断行为立案调查。The probe was launched by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) following preliminary verification and in accordance with China's Anti-Monopoly Law, according to the notice posted on the SAMR's official website.国家市场监督管理总局在其官网发布的通告中表示,此次调查是在完成前期核查的基础上,依法依规、依据《中华人民共和国反垄断法》启动的。In an online statement, Trip.com said that it will actively cooperate with regulatory authorities in their investigation, fully implement regulatory requirements, and work hand-in-hand with all parties in the industry to build a sustainable market environment.携程在一份线上声明中表示,将积极配合监管部门调查,全面落实监管要求,并与行业各方携手共建可持续的市场环境。"Currently, all of the company's businesses are operating normally, and we will continue to provide high-quality services to our users and partners," it said.声明称:“目前公司各项业务均正常运行,将继续为用户和合作伙伴提供高质量服务。”After the investigation was announced, shares of Trip.com Group plunged 6.49 percent at the close of trading in Hong Kong on Wednesday.调查消息公布后,携程集团股价周三在香港收盘时大跌6.49%。As China's antitrust legal framework continues to improve, misconduct by platform companies that harms consumer rights or violates data protection is increasingly being addressed in accordance with the law, Liu Dingding, a veteran internet industry analyst, told the Global Times on Wednesday.随着中国反垄断法律体系不断完善,平台企业侵害消费者权益或违反数据保护规定的行为正日益依法得到规制。资深互联网行业分析人士刘丁丁周三在接受报纸采访时表示。"The probe also sends a clear signal to the industry, encouraging companies to rectify problems that emerged during rapid growth and to pursue more standardized and sustainable development," Liu said, adding that by promoting a healthier and more balanced market ecosystem, the measures aim to curb disorderly expansion and create more space for small and medium-sized enterprises and other market players.刘丁丁表示,此次调查也向行业释放出明确信号,督促企业纠正快速发展过程中暴露出的问题,推动更加规范、可持续的发展。他补充称,通过构建更加健康、均衡的市场生态,这些举措旨在遏制无序扩张,为中小企业等市场主体创造更大发展空间。On December 8 last year, a homestay association in Southwest China's Yunnan Province publicly announced that it was soliciting evidence for potential antitrust action against Trip.com, targeting what it described as years of unfair competition by the platform.去年12月8日,西南地区云南省一家民宿行业协会公开宣布,正在征集证据,拟针对携程多年来被指存在的不正当竞争行为提起反垄断维权行动。The association also announced a decision on launching rights-protection efforts against improper competition by online travel agencies (OTAs), according to a statement on its official WeChat account.该协会在其官方微信公众号发布的声明中还宣布,将对在线旅游平台存在的不正当竞争行为启动维权行动。In the statement, the association said that it had received a large number of complaints from member businesses in recent years, accusing Trip.com and other OTA platforms of abusing their market dominance through practices such as forcing merchants to choose one platform over others, unilaterally raising commission rates, imposing unfair trading conditions, and restricting traffic exposure.声明称,近年来协会收到大量会员企业投诉,指控携程及其他在线旅游平台通过强制“二选一”、单方面提高佣金比例、附加不公平交易条件、限制流量曝光等方式,滥用市场支配地位。It said that these practices had seriously harmed operators' legitimate rights and disrupted fair market competition.声明指出,这些行为严重侵害了经营者的合法权益,扰乱了公平有序的市场竞争秩序。The SAMR's investigation forms part of China's broader push to normalize antitrust enforcement in the platform economy after years of scrutiny over the competitive conduct of major internet platforms.此次调查是中国在多年强化监管基础上,推动平台经济领域反垄断执法常态化的重要组成部分。On November 15, 2025, the market regulator released a draft set of antitrust compliance guidelines for internet platforms for public consultation, and it said in December that it was moving faster to finalize and roll out the rules.2025年11月15日,市场监管部门发布了《互联网平台反垄断合规指引(征求意见稿)》,并于同年12月表示将加快规则定稿和出台进程。SAMR spokesperson Wang Qiuping said that the move aims to effectively protect the legitimate rights and interests of consumers and small and medium-sized businesses, guide platform companies toward compliant operations, and provide institutional support for building a healthy and orderly platform ecosystem.市场监管总局新闻发言人王秋苹表示,该举措旨在切实保护消费者和中小企业合法权益,引导平台企业合规经营,为构建健康有序的平台生态提供制度保障。The draft guidelines refer to eight emerging monopoly risks, including cases where some platforms force merchants to keep prices no higher than on rivals - so-called "lowest-price-across-the-internet" rules. An SAMR official told a press briefing that such practices may amount to abuse of market dominance or monopoly deals.该征求意见稿列举了八类新型垄断风险,其中包括部分平台要求商家价格不得高于竞争对手的所谓“全网最低价”规则。市场监管总局一名官员在新闻发布会上表示,此类行为可能构成滥用市场支配地位或垄断协议。According to information on its official website, Trip.com is a one-stop travel service platform operating brands including Ctrip, Trip.com, Qunar and Skyscanner, offering a full range of travel products, services and differentiated content to users worldwide. The company was listed on the Nasdaq in 2003 and comp

Ep 134英语新闻丨一则网络求助引发的全民吃猪肉风潮
What started as a daughter's simple plea for help on social media transformed a quiet village into a massive "folk culture carnival" this past weekend, as thousands of strangers drove across China to help a young woman's elderly father slaughter the family pigs.一个女儿在社交媒体上发出的简单求助,让这个安静的村庄在上周末变成了盛大的“民间文化嘉年华”。成千上万素不相识的人驱车穿越中国各地,只为帮助一位年轻女子的年迈父亲宰杀家猪。The woman, known online as Daidai, hails from Qingfu village in the Hechuan district of Chongqing. On Jan 9, she posted a video on Douyin expressing anxiety over an increasingly common issue for villagers — her father, now in his 70s, was no longer strong enough to manage the family's year-end pig slaughter tradition alone.这位网名为“呆呆”的女性来自重庆市合川区庆福村。1月9日,她在抖音发布视频,表达了村民们日益普遍的忧虑——年逾古稀的父亲已无力独自承担家里的年终杀猪传统。She invited anyone willing to lend a hand to come over for Paozhutang, a traditional "pig slaughter feast", which is a longstanding rural tradition in many parts of China, marking the approach of the Chinese New Year. Neighbors and relatives gather to help with every step — holding the pigs, singeing off bristles, carving meat and cooking dishes — before sharing a hearty meal. Guests typically leave with fresh pork pressed into their hands, a symbol of hospitality and reciprocity.她邀请所有愿意帮忙的人来参加“杀猪宴”,这是中国许多地区延续至今的乡村传统,标志着春节的临近。邻里亲友齐聚一堂,协助完成每个环节——拽住猪、烧毛、分切肉块、烹制菜肴——最后共享丰盛的宴席。宾客离席时,主人总会将新鲜猪肉塞进他们手中,这既是热情好客的象征,也承载着互惠互利的传统。She expected a few neighbors; she got a national movement. Within 48 hours, the video amassed nearly half a million likes. By Saturday and Sunday, the roads leading to Qingfu village were gridlocked by a 10-kilometer traffic jam as visitors arrived from as far as Guangdong province, bringing gifts as if visiting long-lost relatives.她本以为只有几位邻居会来,没想到却引发了一场全国性的热潮。短短48小时内,这段视频收获了近50万次点赞。到周六周日时,通往清福村的道路因长达10公里的拥堵而瘫痪,来自远至广东省的访客们带着礼物纷至沓来,仿佛在探望久别重逢的亲人。The turnout was so massive that Daidai's original two pigs were woefully insufficient. Sensing a cultural phenomenon, neighbors and the district's cultural and tourism department donated three additional pigs. In total, five pigs were slaughtered to feed a rotating crowd of over 3,000 people.到场人数之多,使得“呆呆”最初准备的两头猪远远不够。察觉到这已成为一种文化现象后,邻居们和区文旅部门又捐赠了三头猪。最终共宰杀了五头猪,为轮番到来的三千多人提供了食物。Scenes on the ground were a mix of chaotic labor and communal joy. The event was largely unplanned, but observers noted a unique "labor chain" where socioeconomic status disappeared; a Porsche owner was seen rolling up his sleeves to wash dishes, mothers sat on low stools chopping mountains of vegetables, and teams of strong young men fulfilled the original request by holding down the livestock.现场景象既是劳作的混乱,亦是集体的欢愉。这场活动虽多属临时起意,但观察者注意到一种独特的“劳动链”——社会经济地位在此消弭无踪:保时捷车主挽起袖子洗碗,母亲们坐在矮凳上切着堆积如山的蔬菜,壮实的年轻人则组队按住牲畜,完成最初的请求。To manage the hunger of the masses, the local Yanzi catering team was brought in. Head chef Jiang Xiaoyan, a 16-year veteran of village banquets, called it the most exhausting job of her career. She estimated that her team went through over 500 kilograms of rice, 350 kg of oil, and several pickup trucks' worth of vegetables and seasonings. Even with support from neighboring hotels and extra kitchen teams, the cost of the raw materials alone likely exceeded 100,000 yuan ($14,000).为满足民众的用餐需求,当地燕子坝坝宴的餐饮团队被紧急调遣至现场。拥有16年乡村宴席经验的主厨蒋小燕称这是她职业生涯中最耗费精力的工作。据她估算,团队消耗了超过500公斤大米、350公斤食用油,以及数辆皮卡车载量的蔬菜和调料。即便获得周边酒店及增援厨师团队的支持,仅原材料成本就可能突破10万元(约合1.4万美元)。The Hechuan government pivoted to support the influx, deploying traffic police and urban management to maintain order. They even integrated local culture into the impromptu festival, providing guests with free tickets to the historic Diaoyucheng Fortress and organizing a traditional molten iron fireworks display.合川区政府迅速调整策略应对客流,调派交警和城管人员维持秩序。他们甚至将本土文化融入这场即兴庆典,为游客提供免费的历史遗迹钓鱼城古堡门票,并组织了传统熔铁烟花表演。The event has turned Daidai into an overnight sensation, with her follower count skyrocketing from a few hundred to 2 million in just days. Online, the story sparked humor and admiration."She's the first person brave enough to invite the whole country to dinner," one commenter wrote.这场活动让“呆呆”一夜成名,她的粉丝数量在短短几天内从几百人飙升至200万。网络上,这个故事引发了人们的幽默调侃与由衷赞叹。一位网友写道“她是第一个敢于邀请全国人民共进晚餐的人。”Local authorities are now reportedly considering a proposal from netizens to make Jan 11 an official "Hechuan Pig Slaughter Festival" to celebrate the region's hospitality and heritage.据悉,当地政府正考虑网友提议,拟将1月11日定为官方“合川杀猪节”,以此庆祝该地区热情好客的传统与文化传承。plea/pliː/n.求助gridlocked/ˈɡrɪd.lɑːkt/adj.交通拥堵的rotating crowd轮番到来的人群

Ep 135英语新闻丨工人手滑缝反嘴巴反成爆款,“笑笑马”变“哭哭马”供不应求
A plush toy horse designed as a cheerful Chinese New Year mascot has galloped into unexpected popularity — with an ironic twist.一款原本被设计为喜气洋洋的中国新年吉祥物的毛绒小马,意外走红——而这一走红还带着几分讽刺意味。Created for the upcoming Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac, it was originally meant to wear an upturned smile. Instead, due to a production error at a factory in Yiwu, Zhejiang province — widely known as the world's capital of small commodities — the toy left the assembly line with its mouth stitched into a distinct, down-turned pout.这款毛绒玩具是为即将到来的中国生肖“马年”设计的,原本应当带着上扬的笑容。然而,由于浙江义乌一家工厂在生产过程中出现失误——义乌素有“世界小商品之都”之称——这款玩具走下流水线时,嘴巴却被缝成了明显向下的撇嘴表情。"It was simply a worker's mistake — the mouth was sewn upside down," factory owner Zhang Huoqing said in an interview on Friday.工厂负责人张火清在周五接受采访时表示:“这只是工人的一个失误——嘴巴被反着缝了。”The story began when a social media user in Hangzhou, the provincial capital, received the flawed toy and contacted customer service to request a replacement. After posting photos of its melancholic expression online, the plush unexpectedly surged to fame.事情起初源于浙江省会杭州的一名社交媒体用户。该用户收到这款存在瑕疵的玩具后联系了客服要求更换,并将其忧郁的表情照片发布到网络上。出人意料的是,这只毛绒小马随即迅速走红。Netizens quickly dubbed it the "cry-cry horse", and demand for the "accidental edition" flooded in. By Sunday, the hashtag #YiwuCryCry-HorseGoneViral had garnered about 100 million views on the social media platform Sina Weibo.网友们很快给它取名为“哭哭马”,对这一“意外版本”的需求蜂拥而至。截至周日,话题标签#义乌哭哭马走红#在社交平台新浪微博上的阅读量已接近1亿次。The toy's forlorn pout, paired with determined eyes, was swiftly embraced as a "cyber mouthpiece" for a generation of office workers. It embodies a collective sentiment of maintaining outward composure while enduring internal pressure — a feeling often described by the popular term "cattle-and-horse", a euphemism for being overworked.这款玩具那委屈的撇嘴与坚定的眼神相结合,很快被一代上班族视为自己的“网络嘴替”。它所呈现的,是一种在承受内心压力的同时仍努力保持表面镇定的集体情绪——这种状态常被用流行语“牛马”来形容,意指长期过度劳累。"It's a true depiction of the 'cattle-and-horse' mindset," one user wrote. Another added, "It's quite adorable and looks really stubborn. For the Year of the Horse, let's make it a determined and hardworking one."一名网友写道:“这就是‘牛马心态’的真实写照。”另一位网友补充说:“它真的很可爱,看起来又特别倔。马年就该是这样一匹倔强又努力的马。”Wang Bin, a professor of social media communication at Renmin University of China, interpreted the trend as a psychological response to widespread social fatigue. He said the plush toy functions as an emotional anchor for consumers grappling with uncertainty and daily pressures.中国人民大学社会化媒体传播方向教授王斌将这一现象解读为对普遍社会疲劳感的一种心理回应。他表示,这款毛绒玩具成为了在不确定性和日常压力中挣扎的消费者的一种情绪锚点。"Everyone feels exhausted and faces many uncertainties about the future," Wang said, adding that the toy serves as a form of emotional comfort that people can buy.王斌表示:“每个人都感到疲惫,也面临着对未来的诸多不确定性。”他补充说,这款玩具为人们提供了一种可以“购买得到”的情绪慰藉。The factory in Yiwu seized the moment with remarkable speed, pivoting production almost overnight. The number of assembly lines dedicated to the toy expanded from two to more than 10, with workers now meticulously trained to replicate the signature "sad" mouth — the very flaw they had once been instructed to avoid.义乌的这家工厂以惊人的速度抓住了这一契机,几乎一夜之间完成了生产转向。专门用于该玩具的生产线从最初的两条扩展至十多条,工人们如今还接受了细致培训,以精准复刻这一标志性的“悲伤嘴型”——而这正是他们此前被要求避免的缺陷。The identity of the original artisan responsible for the error remains unknown. Zhang said the company would award a bonus to the entire production team in recognition of their role in the toy's unexpected success.最初制造失误的工匠身份仍未被确认。张火清表示,公司将向整个生产团队发放奖金,以表彰他们在这款玩具意外成功中所发挥的作用。Despite the frenzy, the company has pledged to keep the retail price fixed at 25 yuan ($3.5).尽管热度高涨,该公司仍承诺将零售价维持在25元人民币(约合3.5美元)不变。Its rapid rise to popularity underscores a shifting industrial paradigm whereby manufacturers increasingly prioritize consumer feedback, turning sentiment into a key factor in new product launches, said Zhu Huasheng, a professor at Beijing Normal University who studies industrial clusters.研究产业集群的北京师范大学教授朱华生指出,这一产品的迅速走红凸显了产业范式的转变:制造商正越来越重视消费者反馈,将情绪因素转化为新产品推出的重要依据。"The success is not just about supply chain agility," Zhu said. "The internet-driven thinking of vendors played a major role."朱华生表示:“这一成功不仅仅源于供应链的灵活性,商家以互联网思维为导向的决策方式同样发挥了关键作用。”He pointed to Yiwu — known as the "world's supermarket" — as a prime example of how online sentiment can now be translated almost instantly into physical products.他以被称为“世界超市”的义乌为例,指出当下网络情绪如何能够几乎即时地转化为实体商品。For decades, Yiwu has relied on flexible networks of small suppliers capable of rapid retooling and small-batch production. What has changed, Zhu said, is the addition of a digital layer. Social media and online platforms now provide real-time, high-resolution data on niche emotional trends, allowing factories to identify and validate new market signals almost overnight.数十年来,义乌一直依托灵活的小型供应商网络,具备快速转产和小批量生产能力。朱华生表示,真正发生变化的是“数字层”的加入。社交媒体和网络平台如今能够提供关于细分情绪趋势的实时、高精度数据,使工厂几乎可以在一夜之间识别并验证新的市场信号。"Consumers, especially young people, are no longer passive buyers but active participants," he said."Their emotional expressions can directly shape what gets made."他说:“消费者,尤其是年轻人,已不再是被动的购买

Ep 136英语新闻丨避免欧盟对中国电动车加征关税的定价协议
China and the European Union, after more than a year of talks, have agreed to set minimum prices for imported Chinese electric vehicles in lieu of hefty tariffs, which will help safeguard the global auto supply chain and support the rules-based global trading system, officials and experts said.中欧经过一年多的磋商,已就以设定中国进口电动汽车最低价格替代高额关税达成一致。官员和专家表示,此举将有助于维护全球汽车供应链安全,并支持以规则为基础的全球贸易体系。It sends a clear signal that the two major economies have the capability and willingness to resolve differences through equal dialogue, they added.他们补充称,这释放出一个明确信号,即这两大经济体具备并愿意通过平等对话化解分歧。The Ministry of Commerce said on Monday that both China and the EU "believe it necessary" to provide general guidance on price undertakings — commitments to establish minimum prices — for Chinese exporters of battery electric passenger vehicles to the EU.商务部周一表示,中欧双方“均认为有必要”为向欧盟出口纯电动乘用车的中国出口商提供有关价格承诺的一般性指导,即作出设定最低价格的承诺。This move, the ministry noted in a statement, will enable Chinese exporters to address the EU's anti-subsidy case concerning Chinese EVs in a way that is "more practical, targeted and consistent with WTO rules".商务部在声明中指出,这一举措将使中国出口商以“更加务实、更具针对性且符合世贸组织规则”的方式应对欧盟针对中国电动车发起的反补贴案件。"It shows that both China and the EU have the ability and willingness to properly resolve differences through dialogue and consultation under the framework of WTO rules," the ministry added.商务部补充表示,这表明中欧双方在世贸组织规则框架下,通过对话协商妥善解决分歧具备能力和意愿。Sun Xiao hong, secretary-general of the automotive branch of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products, said that though the EU intends to achieve the same outcome through price undertakings as by imposing tariffs, for Chinese automobile exporters, this means the portion equivalent to the duty is retained as their own revenue, effectively increasing their profit margins.中国机电产品进出口商会汽车分会秘书长孙晓红表示,尽管欧盟希望通过价格承诺达到与加征关税相同的效果,但对中国汽车出口商而言,这意味着原本相当于关税的那部分金额将转化为自身收入,从而有效提升利润空间。In October 2024, Brussels decided to impose tariffs for five years of up to 35.3 percent on imports of Chinese EVs. These were levied in addition to the standard 10 percent duty, following a probe into unfounded allegations of so-called unfair subsidies in China's EV industry.2024年10月,布鲁塞尔决定对进口中国电动车加征为期五年、最高达35.3%的关税,并在原有10%的标准关税基础上叠加实施。该决定源于欧方就所谓中国电动车产业存在“不公平补贴”的不实指控展开的调查。Beijing and Brussels had floated the alternative WTO-compatible solution of lifting the tariffs through price undertakings for imported cars, and conducted various rounds of negotiations over the past year.中国与布鲁塞尔此前提出,通过对进口汽车采取价格承诺、以符合世贸组织规则的方式取消关税这一替代方案,并在过去一年中进行了多轮谈判。Also on Monday, the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, issued a guidance document on the submission of price undertaking offers for EVs from China.同样在周一,作为欧盟执行机构的欧盟委员会发布了一份关于提交中国电动车价格承诺方案的指导文件。"When the two economic powers, which hold significant influence within the WTO, choose to settle a major dispute through negotiation, it reinforces the rules-based global trading system in a particularly challenging international environment," said Tu Xin quan, director of the China Institute for World Trade Organization Studies at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing.北京对外经济贸易大学中国世界贸易组织研究院院长屠新泉表示:“当在世贸组织中具有重要影响力的两大经济体选择通过谈判解决重大争端时,这将在当前复杂严峻的国际环境下,有力巩固以规则为基础的全球贸易体系。”In the document, the commission said it would assess each price undertaking offer against the same legal criteria in an objective and fair manner, following the principle of nondiscrimination and in accordance with WTO rules.欧盟委员会在文件中表示,将依据相同的法律标准,本着客观、公正和不歧视原则,并按照世贸组织规则,对每一份价格承诺方案进行评估。The submission of a formal price undertaking offer to the European Commission triggers a procedure for the assessment of its acceptability and practicability that will be carried out expeditiously.向欧盟委员会正式提交价格承诺方案后,将启动对其可接受性和可操作性的评估程序,并将尽快完成。"Properly resolving the EU's anti-subsidy case on Chinese EVs is a common expectation among upstream and downstream industries in both China and the EU," the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products said in a statement on Monday.中国机电产品进出口商会周一在声明中表示,妥善解决欧盟对中国电动车发起的反补贴案件,是中欧产业链上下游的共同期待。The chamber, on behalf of different types of Chinese car manufacturers, had put forward the price undertaking proposals during previous negotiations.该商会此前代表不同类型的中国汽车制造企业,在谈判中提出了价格承诺方案。"It will contribute to the security and stability of the related industrial and supply chains between the two sides, safeguard the overall interests of China-EU economic and trade cooperation, and uphold the rules-based international trade order," the chamber added.商会补充称,此举将有助于维护中欧相关产业链和供应链的安全稳定,保障中欧经贸合作的整体利益,并维护以规则为基础的国际贸易秩序。price undertaking /praɪs ˌʌndərˈteɪkɪŋ/价格承诺anti-subsidy case /ˌænti ˈsʌbsɪdi keɪs/反补贴案件rules-based global trading system /ruːlz beɪst ˈɡləʊbl ˈtreɪdɪŋ ˈsɪstəm/以规则为基础的全球贸易体系profit margin /ˈprɒfɪt ˈmɑːdʒɪn/利润空间nondiscrimination principle /ˌnɒndɪˌskrɪmɪˈneɪʃn/不歧视原则

Ep 137Top News丨Anti-corruption efforts focus more on work conduct issues
The trajectory of corruption often begins not with a grand heist, but with a simple dinner, according to the details of a case released on Sunday involving a former high-ranking official.根据周日公布的一起涉及前高官的案件细节显示,腐败的轨迹往往并非始于惊天大劫案,而是一顿简单的晚餐。Tang Ren jian, former minister of agriculture and rural affairs, admitted his corruption stemmed from ignoring the Communist Party of China Central Committee's eight-point decision on improving Party and government conduct, according to a freshly aired anti-corruption documentary.据最新播出的反腐纪录片披露,原农业农村部部长唐仁健承认,其腐败行为源于忽视中共中央关于改进党政作风的八项规定。"My illegal acts began with dining violations," Tang said before the camera, stressing the need to "stay prudent from the start".唐仁健在镜头前坦言:“我的违法行为始于餐饮违规,”并强调“从一开始就要保持谨慎”。Coproduced by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, the National Supervisory Commission and China Media Group, the four-episode series began airing on Sunday, one day before the opening of the fifth plenary session of the 20th CCDI in Beijing.由中共中央纪律检查委员会、国家监察委员会和中国媒体集团联合制作的四集系列片于周日开播,恰逢二十届中纪委五中全会在北京召开前一天。Previously vice-chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous regional government and governor of Gansu province, Tang was probed in May 2024. The investigation revealed that his social circle, largely built around dining, tea and mahjong, later became thebribery channel, and what started as casual gatherings turned into "interest transfer" hubs.曾任广西壮族自治区政府副主席、甘肃省省长的唐仁健于2024年5月被立案调查。调查发现,他以餐饮、品茶、打麻将为纽带建立的社交圈逐渐演变为行贿渠道,原本随意的聚会最终沦为“利益输送”的枢纽。Tang described a psychological shift where he grew accustomed to these luxuries, eventually viewing them as "natural and deserved". As his vigilance dropped, business owners exploited the situation to seek favors.唐仁健描述了一种心理转变:他逐渐习惯了这些奢侈待遇,最终视其为“理所当然且应得的”。随着他的警惕性降低,商人们便趁机钻空子谋取私利。To avoid detection, he first wore masks and hats to hotel dinners, and then moved gatherings to private villas and apartments arranged by entrepreneurs.为躲避追查,唐仁健起初戴着面具和帽子参加酒店晚宴,后来又将聚会转移到企业家安排的私人别墅和公寓里。He also colluded with Li Yong, a Beijing antique dealer, using his shops for "power-for-money" deals. Business owners seeking Tang's influence were instructed to purchase overpriced antiques consigned by Tang through Li, disguising bribes as legitimate transactions.唐仁健还与北京古董商李勇勾结,利用其店铺进行“权钱交易”。寻求唐仁健影响力的商人被要求通过李勇购买唐某委托的高价古董,将贿赂伪装成合法交易。After becoming minister of agriculture and rural affairs, Tang created a WeChat group called "Happy Weekends" comprising his family members and business owners. He also had his son open an upscale restaurant near the ministry. The entrepreneurs funded group events by purchasing membership cards at the restaurant, with Tang organizing the events and the entrepreneurs covering the costs.唐仁健就任农业农村部长后,创建了一个名为“快乐周末”的微信群组,成员包括其亲属及商界人士。他还安排儿子在部委附近开办高档餐厅。商人们通过购买该餐厅会员卡为群组活动提供资金,由唐仁健组织活动,商人们承担费用。Starting in 2011, business owners took turns holding lavish birthday parties for him at luxury resorts across the country.自2011年起,企业主们轮流在全国豪华度假村为唐仁健举办奢华的生日派对。The documentary highlights how Tang's poor work conduct directly led to a distorted view of performance. Obsessed with "image projects" to improve his standing, he disregarded local realities in Gansu and insisted on launching chicken farming projects simultaneously in eight counties. Consequently, seven of the projects were suspended, leaving many completed facilities idle or underutilized.该纪录片揭示了唐仁健工作作风不端如何直接导致绩效评估失真。他痴迷于通过“形象工程”提升个人声望,无视甘肃省的实际情况,执意在八个县同时启动养鸡项目。结果七个项目被迫叫停,导致大量建成设施闲置或利用率低下。Tang, a long-serving official in the agricultural sector, meddled in 37 projects, 27 of which were agricultural. His influence-peddling and frequent dining with subordinates fostered an unhealthy political ecosystem. Even on the eve of being placed under residential surveillance, Tang reportedly attended a late-night drinking session.唐仁健作为农业部门资深官员,曾插手37个项目,其中27个涉及农业领域。其利用职权谋私利的行为及频繁与下属宴饮的作风,滋生了病态的政治生态。据报道,即便在被实施居住监视的前夜,唐仁健仍出席了一场深夜酒局。Expelled from the Party and dismissed from public office in November 2024, Tang was sentenced in September 2025 to death with a two-year reprieve, lifelong deprivation of political rights and confiscation of all property for accepting more than 268 million yuan ($38.4 million) in bribes.唐仁健于2024年11月被开除党籍并撤销公职,2025年9月因受贿2.68亿余元(合3840万美元)被判处死刑缓期两年执行,剥夺政治权利终身,并没收全部财产。The central discipline inspection and national supervision authorities noted that the interweaving of poor work conduct and corruption is a key issue in current efforts to improve Party conduct and combat corruption, urging the simultaneous investigation and rectification of both.中央纪委国家监委指出,工作作风问题与腐败问题相互交织,是当前推进党风建设、反腐败斗争中的关键问题,要求对两类问题同时查办、同步整改。Governing efficiency hurt治理效率受损Zhuang Deshui, deputy director of Peking University's Research Center of Public Policy, said that efforts to improve conduct and fight corruption were once fragmented. Conduct issues were considered "minor corruption", while anti-corruption efforts targeted "major corruption". The lack of synergy hurt governance efficiency.北京大学公共政策研究中心副主任庄德水指

Ep 138英语新闻丨Viral app bares 'safety anxiety' among solo dwellers
For Li Wan, a 25-year-old living alone in East China's Shandong province, the blunt question "Are you dead?" wasn't an insult, but rather an 8-yuan ($1.14) investment in peace of mind.对于25岁的李婉(音译)来说,这位独自生活在中国东部山东省的年轻人,面对“你死了吗?”这样直白的问题,并非感到被冒犯,反而视作一项8元(约合1.14美元)的安心投资。Li is one of thousands of young professionals driving a viral surge for "Sileme" — translated as "Are You Dead?" — a minimalist safety app that has recently dominated the paid charts on China's Apple App Store. The app, branded as Demumu in its English version, requires no login or personal data; users simply tap a "check in today" button once a day. If they miss their check-in for consecutive days, the system automatically emails a designated emergency contact.李婉(音译)是数千名推动“Sileme”(意为“死了吗”)病毒式传播的年轻专业人士之一。这款极简安全应用近期在中国苹果应用商店的付费榜单上独占鳌头。这款英文版名为Demumu的应用无需登录或提供个人信息,用户只需每日点击一次“今日签到”按钮。若连续多日未签到,系统将自动向指定紧急联系人发送邮件。"I downloaded it because the name was amusing," said Li, who has lived alone for over a year and is often on the receiving end of her mother's concerns about lack of communication. "With the app, my mom will receive an email and can reach me if I don't check in. It enhances communication with my family."李婉(音译)她独自生活已逾一年,常因缺乏联系而成为母亲担忧的对象,她表示:“我下载这个应用是因为名字有趣。有了这个应用,如果我不按时报平安,母亲会收到邮件并能联系到我。这增强了我和家人的沟通。”The app's sudden popularity highlights a growing "safety anxiety" among China's solo dwellers. According to the 2025 China Statistical Yearbook, single-person households now account for approximately 20 percent of the country's sampled population. Industry forecasts from Beike Research Institute suggest this demographic could swell to between 150 million and 200 million people by 2030.该应用的突然走红凸显了中国独居人群日益增长的“安全焦虑”。据《2025年中国统计年鉴》显示,单人家庭目前约占全国抽样人口的20%。Beike研究院的行业预测指出,到2030年这一群体规模可能膨胀至1.5亿至2亿人。Developed by three Gen Z creators in just one month, the app was born from social media discussions about the risks of living alone. One of the developers, surnamed Guo, noted the user base has increased 50-fold since its launch.这款应用由三位Z世代创作者仅用一个月时间开发完成,其灵感源于社交媒体上关于独居风险的讨论。开发者之一郭姓人士指出,自上线以来用户基数已增长50倍。Guo said the cost of developing the app, about 1,000 yuan, has been recovered and the team plans to add the function of text messaging in the near future.郭先生表示,该应用的开发成本约1000元,现已收回成本,团队计划近期增加短信功能。While some users have criticized the name as "ominous" or "blunt", suggesting alternatives like "Are You Alive?" or "Are You Okay?", Guo argues the name is direct and reflects a shifting cultural attitude. Younger generations, he says, are becoming less hesitant about discussing mortality.尽管部分用户批评该名称“不祥”或“直白”,并建议采用“你还活着吗?”或“你还好吗?”等替代方案,郭先生认为“死了吗”这个名称直截了当,反映了文化态度的转变。他表示,年轻一代在讨论死亡话题时正变得越来越坦然。Some copycat apps with names such as "Huozheme", or "Are You Alive?" have already sprung up.一些模仿应用已如雨后春笋般涌现,其名称诸如“活着吗?”或“你还活着吗?”。The success of Sileme reflects a broader social trend where technology and community initiatives are stepping in to replace traditional family safety nets.“死了吗”的成功反映出一种更广泛的社会趋势:技术与社区倡议正逐步取代传统的家庭安全网。In Taiyuan, Shanxi province, community workers have launched a "curtain signal" initiative where elderly residents indicate they are safe by opening their curtains every morning. Meanwhile, on social media platforms like Douban, female solo dwellers have formed mutual aid communities to trade services like appliance repairs and furniture assembly, avoiding the need to invite strangers into their homes.在山西省太原市,社区工作者推出“窗帘行动”,老年居民每天早晨拉开窗帘示意自己平安无事。与此同时,在豆瓣等社交平台上,女性独居者们组建互助社区,互相提供家电维修、家具组装等服务,避免让陌生人进入家中。Wen Jun, a professor of social sciences at East China Normal University, emphasized that while apps like Sileme provide a starting point, they are not a complete solution. He argues that the government and local communities must work together to establish an "online-offline synergy" that ensures no one, whether young or old, is left truly alone in an emergency.华东师范大学社会科学教授文军强调,虽然“失联报警”这类应用程序提供了起点,但并非完整的解决方案。他认为政府和社区必须携手建立“线上线下协同机制”,确保无论老少,在紧急情况下都不会真正陷入孤立无援的境地。For now, the developers of Sileme say they are considering a name change to address user feedback, even as the app continues to trend under its provocative original title.目前,“死了吗”的开发者表示正考虑更名以回应用户反馈,尽管该应用仍以其原先的挑衅性名称持续走红。ominous/ˈɑː.mə.nəs/adj.不详的provocative/prəˈvɑː.kə.t̬ɪv/adj.挑衅性的

Ep 139英语新闻丨中国将加强互联网应用个人数据保护
China's cyberspace regulator on Saturday released draft rules regulating the collection and use of personal information by internet applications, seeking public feedback.中国网络空间监管部门周六发布规范互联网应用收集和使用个人信息的征求意见稿,向社会公开征求意见。The draft, formulated by the Cyberspace Administration of China, aims to protect the rights and interests of personal information and ensure the proper use of personal data.该征求意见稿由国家互联网信息办公室制定,旨在保护个人信息权益,确保个人数据得到规范使用。According to the draft, the collection and use of personal information should be strictly limited to what is necessary for providing products or services, and must not exceed the required scope.征求意见稿指出,个人信息的收集和使用应严格限定在提供产品或服务所必需的范围内,不得超出必要限度。It also states that internet applications should, upon first launch, clearly inform users of the rules on the collection and use of personal information through prominent means such as pop-up notifications and obtain users' explicit consent.意见稿还明确,互联网应用在首次启动时,应通过弹窗等显著方式,清晰告知用户个人信息收集和使用规则,并取得用户的明确同意。In addition, the draft requires that internet applications must not collect or use the personal information of individuals other than the user by accessing address books, call logs, or SMS permissions, except where such access is necessary for communication purposes, adding contacts, or data backup.此外,征求意见稿要求,互联网应用不得通过访问通讯录、通话记录或短信权限,收集或使用用户以外其他个人的个人信息,除非该访问系出于通信、添加联系人或数据备份等必要用途。In the event that personal information is provided to third parties, applications are required to obtain users' separate consent, according to the draft.征求意见稿还规定,如向第三方提供个人信息,应用程序须另行取得用户的单独同意。beef up /biːf ʌp/加强;强化cyberspace regulator /ˈsaɪbərspeɪs ˈreɡjəleɪtər/网络空间监管机构draft rules /drɑːft ruːlz/征求意见稿pop-up notifications /ˈpɑːp ʌp ˌnoʊtɪfɪˈkeɪʃənz/弹窗提示address books /əˈdres bʊks/通讯录

Ep 140Editorial丨US imperialism has put it far beyond the pale
Anyone still not clear about what gunboat diplomacy means only has to look at what the United States has done to Venezuela to gain enlightenment. It has abducted the president of the South American country and is implementing plans to rob it of its oil resources.若有人仍不明白炮舰外交的含义,只需看看美国对委内瑞拉所作所为便能豁然开朗。它绑架了这个南美国家的总统,并正实施计划掠夺其石油资源。If that is not enough, US President Donald Trump's remarks about Greenland, an autonomous island of Denmark, leave no room for equivocation.若这还不够,美国总统唐纳德·特朗普对丹麦自治岛屿格陵兰的言论则毫不含糊。In response to a question from the BBC on Friday, Trump said that the US needs to "own" Greenland to prevent Russia and China from doing so, and that the US will acquire it either "the easy way" or "the hard way". This follows a recent White House statement that the administration was considering buying the territory of fellow NATO member Denmark, but it would not rule out the option of annexing it by force.针对英国广播公司周五的提问,特朗普表示美国需要“拥有”格陵兰岛,以阻止俄罗斯和中国这样做,并称美国将通过“和平方式”或“武力方式”获得该岛。此前白宫发表声明称,政府正在考虑购买北约盟国丹麦的领土,但不排除以武力吞并该岛的可能性。By saying so, the US leadership has shown that it does not have a smattering of respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a sovereign country.特朗普的此番言论表明,他们对主权国家的主权和领土完整连最起码的尊重都没有。In a joint statement on Friday, Greenland's political parties rejected Trump's repeated threats to take control of the island, saying that its future must be decided by its people.格陵兰各政党周五发表联合声明,驳斥特朗普一再威胁要控制该岛的言论,强调该岛的未来必须由其人民决定。The joint statement issued by the leaders of various political parties in Greenland, stating that "Greenlanders do not want to become Americans", was a clear expression of the sentiment of the overwhelming majority of Greenland's population, who have consistently opposed the idea of becoming part of the US.格陵兰各政党领导人发表的联合声明称“格陵兰人不愿成为美国人”,这充分表达了该国绝大多数民众的意愿——他们始终反对成为美国领土的想法。The statement effectively closed the loophole that the US administration might have hoped to exploit by claiming to act on the wishes of the Greenlandic people to "obtain" the island. The statement also prevents the US from creating and exploiting discord between the autonomous territory and Denmark, and legally blocks the possibility of the US acquiring Greenland.该声明实质上堵住了美国政府可能试图利用的漏洞——即声称代表格陵兰人民意愿来“获取”该岛。该声明同时阻止了美国在自治领地与丹麦之间制造并利用分歧的行为,并从法律层面封堵了美国获取格陵兰的可能性。By openly declaring that "it needs" an autonomous region of another sovereign country, Washington is telling the world that it has no regard for norms of international relations and no respect for international law.华盛顿公然宣称“需要”另一个主权国家的自治区,这向世界表明其根本无视国际关系准则,更无视国际法。Denmark is a member of NATO, and the US has long been the leader of the security alliance. If the US takes Greenland by force, it will be attacking its own ally. That effectively means the end of NATO.丹麦是北约成员国,而美国长期以来一直是该安全联盟的领导者。如果美国武力夺取格陵兰岛,就相当于攻击自己的盟友。这实际上意味着北约的终结。If theabduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife on Jan 3 emboldens the US to proceed with theannexation of Greenland, it will only further encourage the US administration to do whatever it wants in brazen disregard of international law.若1月3日委内瑞拉总统尼古拉斯·马杜罗及其夫人遭绑架事件,竟使美国胆敢推进吞并格陵兰岛的计划,这只会进一步纵容美国政府肆无忌惮地践踏国际法,为所欲为。If Washington is allowed to use the lie that other countries intend to grab Greenland to acquire the Danish territory, then the US would be able to use the same pretext to grab whatever territories it desires from any other country. If that becomes the reality, the world will plunge into the colonial past in which might was right and there will be no fairness and justice in international relations.倘若允许华盛顿以“他国意图侵占格陵兰”的谎言为借口夺取丹麦领土,那么美国便能用同样的借口从任何国家掠夺其垂涎的领土。若此种局面成为现实,世界将重陷殖民时代的黑暗岁月——那时强权即公理,国际关系中再无公平正义可言。Leaders of seven European countries—Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom—issued a joint statement last week affirming that Greenland "belongs to its people".七个欧洲国家——丹麦、法国、德国、意大利、波兰、西班牙和英国的领导人上周发表联合声明,重申格陵兰岛“属于其人民”。More European countries should stand up to the threat of the US and stand firmly behind Greenland. The so-called "Trump Corollary" of seeking absolute control over the geography, resources and sovereignty of the Americas, and even the entire Western Hemisphere, is threatening global stability and world peace. Not only Europe but the entire world should oppose the imperiousness of the US administration.更多欧洲国家应当挺身对抗美国的威胁,坚定支持格陵兰。所谓“特朗普主义”——企图对美洲乃至整个西半球的地理、资源与主权实施绝对控制——正威胁着全球稳定与世界和平。不仅欧洲,全世界都应当反对美国政府的霸权行径。China has long maintained that respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries is a basic principle of international relations. The international community should not allow the US to have an inch or it will take yard after yard after yard.中国始终坚持尊重他国主权和领土完整是国际关系的基本准则。国际社会不应纵容美国得寸进尺,否则它必将变本加厉。By abducting the Venezuelan president and voicing an unjustified claim on Greenland, Washington has shown it is prepared to plunge the entire world into chaos so it can feather its own nest.通过绑架委内瑞拉总统并无理声称对格陵兰岛拥有主权,华盛顿已表明其不惜将整个世界推入混乱深渊,只为谋取私利。beyond the pale越界的

Ep 141英语新闻丨Threat on Greenland irks European allies
United States President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that Washington must "own" Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, triggering concern and criticism among its European allies.美国总统唐纳德·特朗普多次声称华盛顿必须“拥有”丹麦自治领地格陵兰岛,此举引发欧洲盟友的担忧与批评。Experts said the remarks highlighted a strategic dilemma facing the European Union in managing its relations with the US and risk weakening the trans-Atlantic alliance.专家指出,这些言论凸显了欧盟在处理与美国关系时面临的战略困境,并可能削弱跨大西洋联盟。Trump has made several statements recently about his intention to acquire Greenland. He said on Friday that he is going to do "something on Greenland, whether they like it or not". If it is not done "the easy way, we're going to do it the hard way", he said, without elaborating on what that could entail.特朗普近日多次表态有意收购格陵兰岛。他周五表示,无论格陵兰方面是否同意,他都将“对格陵兰采取行动”。他称若无法“通过友好方式解决,我们将采取强硬手段”,但未具体说明可能采取的措施。The White House said it is considering a range of options, including using military force, to acquire the island.白宫表示正在考虑多种方案,包括动用军事力量,以夺取该岛。Greenland's leaders have rejected Trump's repeated calls for the US to take control of the island, saying that Greenland's future must be decided by its people.格陵兰岛领导人已拒绝特朗普多次呼吁美国接管该岛的提议,称格陵兰岛的未来必须由其人民决定。"We don't want to be Americans, we don't want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders," Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and four party leaders said in a statement on Friday.丹麦格陵兰岛自治政府总理延斯·弗雷德里克·尼尔森与四位主要政党领袖发表声明称:“我们不愿成为美国人,不愿成为丹麦人,我们只想成为格陵兰人。”"As Greenlandic party leaders, we would like to emphasize once again our wish that the United States' contempt for our country ends."“作为格陵兰政党领导人,我们再次强调,我们希望美国对我国的轻蔑态度能够终止。”German Finance Minister and Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil said on Sunday that international law applies to all, including the US.德国财政部长兼副总理拉尔斯·克林拜尔周日表示,国际法适用于所有人,包括美国。"It is solely up to Denmark and Greenland to decide about Greenland's future. Territorial sovereignty and integrity must be respected," Klingbeil said.克林拜尔表示:“格陵兰岛的未来完全由丹麦和格陵兰共同决定。必须尊重领土主权和完整。”Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that a US takeover of Greenland would mark the end of NATO.丹麦首相梅特·弗雷泽里克森警告称,美国若接管格陵兰岛,将标志着北约的终结。According to a report by The Telegraph on Saturday, several European countries are considering deploying troops to the Arctic, hoping that a significantly enhanced presence in the region woulddissuade Trump from pursuing ambitions toannex the strategically important island.据《每日电讯报》周六报道,多个欧洲国家正考虑向北极地区派遣军队,希望通过大幅增强在该地区的军事存在,阻止特朗普实现吞并这座具有重要战略意义岛屿的野心。The report also said the EU is drawing up contingency plans to impose sanctions on US companies should Trump reject a proposed NATO deployment. Under the plans, US technology giants such as Meta, Google, Microsoft and X could face restrictions on operating in Europe, along with US banks and financial institutions.该报告还称,若特朗普拒绝北约部署提案,欧盟正制定应急计划对美国企业实施制裁。根据计划,Meta、谷歌、微软和X等美国科技巨头以及美国银行和金融机构在欧洲的运营都可能面临限制。Strategic turn战略转向Zhao Yongsheng, a researcher at the Research Institute for Global Value Chains at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, said Trump's Greenland remarks reflect a strategic turn toward "America first", a shift that is likely to strain US-EU relations and erode mutual trust within NATO.北京对外经济贸易大学全球价值链研究院研究员赵永升指出,特朗普关于格陵兰岛的言论反映出美国战略重心转向“美国优先”,这种转变可能加剧美欧关系紧张,并侵蚀北约内部的互信。Trump, invoking geopolitics as a pretext, attempted to "own" Greenland, driven in reality by the island's abundant mineral resources and the increasingly favorable navigational conditions of the Arctic shipping route, Zhao said.赵永升指出,特朗普打着地缘政治的幌子,企图“拥有”格陵兰岛,其真实动机在于该岛丰富的矿产资源以及北极航道日益便利的航行条件。Europe's overall influence is waning across economic, political, military and technological dimensions, he said. Therefore, facing pressure from the US, the EU finds it difficult to take a firm retaliatory stance.赵永升表示,欧洲在经济、政治、军事和技术等各个层面的整体影响力正在减弱。因此,面对美国的压力,欧盟难以采取强硬的反击立场。"The US-EU alliance will endure, but the basis of trust has shifted. It now relies less on shared values, ideologies or institutional frameworks, but more onpragmatic interests," he said.赵永升如是说:“美欧联盟将持续存在,但信任基础已发生转变。如今它更多地依赖务实利益,而非共同价值观、意识形态或制度框架。”The Greenland dispute may not be the final blow to NATO or trans-Atlantic relations, but the US is likely to further expand its military, security and geoeconomic presence on the island, while European distrust of Washington deepens, he said.格陵兰岛争端或许不会成为北约或跨大西洋关系的致命一击,但赵永升表示,美国很可能进一步扩大在该岛的军事、安全和地缘经济存在,而欧洲对华盛顿的不信任感将持续加深。He Yun, a researcher at the Belt and Road Strategy Institute of Tsinghua University, said the move by the US has exposed the fragility of the NATO alliance and poses a challenge to global multilateral mechanisms and security frameworks.清华大学“一带一路”战略研究院研究员何韵指出,美国的这一举动暴露了北约联盟的脆弱性,对全球多边机制和安全框架构成挑战。"Trump's remarks have underscored for Europe that the US is no longer just a security provider, but could also emerge as its greatest security threat. This shift delivers a severe blow to strategic trust between the two sides," she said.何韵表示:“特朗普的言论让欧洲深刻意识到,美国不再仅仅是安

Ep 142英语新闻丨US launches large-scale strikes against IS targets
US Central Command said Saturday that its forces conducted large-scale strikes against multiple Islamic State (IS) targets across Syria.美国中央司令部周六表示,其部队已在叙利亚全境对多个“伊斯兰国”(IS)目标实施大规模打击。"Today, at approximately 12:30 pm Eastern Time, US Central Command forces, alongside partner forces, conducted large-scale strikes against multiple ISIS targets across Syria," the command posted on X.美国中央司令部在社交平台X上发文称:“今日东部时间约下午12时30分,美国中央司令部部队与合作伙伴部队一道,在叙利亚全境对多个ISIS目标实施了大规模打击。”The command said these strikes were part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, which was launched and announced on Dec 19 in response to a deadly IS attack on US and Syrian forces in Palmyra, Syria, on Dec 13. In the attack, a lone IS terrorist carried out an ambush, killing two US soldiers and one US civilian interpreter.该司令部表示,此次打击行动是“鹰眼打击行动”(Operation Hawkeye Strike)的一部分。该行动于12月19日启动并对外宣布,系对12月13日“伊斯兰国”在叙利亚帕尔米拉地区针对美军和叙利亚部队发动的致命袭击作出的回应。在那次袭击中,一名“伊斯兰国”恐怖分子实施伏击,造成两名美军士兵和一名美国平民口译员死亡。The strikes are "part of our ongoing commitment to root out Islamic terrorism against our warfighters, prevent future attacks, and protect American and partner forces in the region," US Central Command said, adding that US and coalition forces "remain resolute in pursuing terrorists who seek to harm the United States."美国中央司令部表示,此次打击行动“是我们持续致力于铲除针对我方作战人员的伊斯兰恐怖主义、预防未来袭击并保护该地区美国及其合作伙伴部队的重要组成部分”。该司令部还补充称,美军及其盟军部队“将继续坚定追捕试图危害美国的恐怖分子”。large-scale strikes /ˌlɑːrdʒ ˈskeɪl straɪks/大规模打击US Central Command (CENTCOM) /ˌsentkɑːm/美国中央司令部Islamic State (IS / ISIS) /ɪzˈlæmɪk steɪt/“伊斯兰国”极端组织Operation Hawkeye Strike /ˌɑːpəˈreɪʃən ˈhɔːkaɪ straɪk/“鹰眼打击行动”carry out an ambush /ˈkæri aʊt æn ˈæmbʊʃ/实施伏击

Ep 143英语新闻丨CPI points to stabilization of economy
China's consumer inflation accelerated to its fastest pace in nearly three years in December, official data showed on Friday, signaling a stabilizing economy as recent stimulus measures continued to bolster domestic demand.Going forward, analysts said consumer inflation is expected to remain mild through 2026, leaving ample room for policymakers to step up macroeconomic adjustment to counter mounting uncertainties. Policy options include targeted measures to boost domestic demand and support innovation, as well as further cuts to the reserve requirement ratio and interest rates.The country's consumer price index, the main gauge of inflation, rose by 0.8 percent year-on-year in December, following a 0.7 percent rise in November, marking the highest level since February 2023, the National Bureau of Statistics said on Friday."China's latest consumer inflation data points to a continued strengthening in domestic demand, mainly driven by the impact of consumption-boosting policies and the release of demand ahead of the New Year holiday," said Tang Guang hua, an analyst at Shen yin & Wan guo Futures Co. "Meanwhile, the core CPI remained above 1 percent for four consecutive months in December, highlighting a steady improvement in consumption fundamentals."The improving inflation data has reflected the growing momentum of the Chinese economy, with the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank having raised their growth forecasts for China's economy.The IMF forecasts a 5 percent GDP expansion in 2025 and 4.5 percent for 2026, while Goldman Sachs said this week that it expects China's GDP to grow 4.8 percent in real terms in 2026, supported by a policy-backed investment rebound, the potential of service consumption, resilient export growth and a milder drag of the property sector.With economic momentum showing signs of improving, Chinese stocks moved higher on Friday, with the Shanghai Composite Index posting a solid gain of 0.92 percent to close at 4,120.43 points, topping the psychologically important 4,100 points to reach a decade high. Since the beginning of the year, the index has risen by 3.82 percent, indicating a continuous improvement in investor confidence.NBS data showed the core CPI, which excludes volatile food and energy prices and is deemed a better gauge of supply-demand conditions, rose 1.2 percent year-on-year in December, unchanged from November.Meanwhile, China's producer price index — which measures factory-gate prices — fell by 1.9 percent year-on-year in December, narrowing from a 2.2 percent drop in November, the NBS said.Tang from Shenyin & Wanguo Futures Co said the narrowing decline in factory-gate prices showed strengthening recovery momentum, signaling both improving industrial fundamentals and deeper structural optimization.He expects consumer prices to rise steadily on the back of continued consumption recovery and policy support, while PPI recovery momentum is set to strengthen further given the progress in building a unified national market, industrial restructuring and rising demand from emerging industries as key drivers, particularly for high-end manufacturing.As the NBS is set to release the economic indicators for December and the fourth quarter later this month, Li Chao, chief economist at Zheshang Securities, said China's economic growth is expected to have remained resilient toward the end of 2025, fueled by relatively strong production and a gradual recovery in demand.He said that economic activity likely picked up in December, with both domestic and external demand gradually improving and companies pushing to meet year-end targets. "That will help support China to achieve its full-year growth target of around 5 percent in 2025, while laying the groundwork for a strong start in 2026."During the recently held 2026 work conference of the People's Bank of China, the country's central bank said it will continue to implement an appropriately accommodative monetary policy in 2026, underscoring its commitment to supporting high-quality economic development and promoting a reasonable rebound in prices.Li from Zheshang Securities said his team expects a 50 basis-point cut in the RRR and a 10 basis-point reduction in policy interest rates over the year.Li added that structural policy tools are expected to continue to play a key role, alongside stronger credit guidance to channel funding toward priority areas.Expanding domestic demand, advancing technological innovation and supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises are likely to remain the main focus of policy support in 2026, he said.

Ep 144AI不是你想的那样:图灵奖得主的2026六问六答
This episode delves into the capabilities, limitations, and societal implications of artificial intelligence. The host and guest explore AI myths, technical constraints, ethical considerations, and the effects of AI on human creativity, decision-making, and education. They also address the hype propagated by big tech companies, the black-box nature of AI, and the challenges of establishing rules and responsibility for AI systems.

Ep 145Editorial丨US' troubling retreat to unilateralism
In a stark departure from the cooperative multilateralism that has defined global progress in recent decades, the US administration announced its withdrawal from 66 international organizations on Wednesday. The latest attack on multilateralism is another sign of the United States' troubling retreat into the shadows of the country's 19th century past when the US sought to consolidate its control of the Western Hemisphere taking an exclusionary approach to global issues.The move comes after a review of US participation in all international organizations and treaties by the US administration, purportedly to determine which are operating "contrary to US national interests". Most of the targets of the executive order suspending US support for 31 United Nations entities and 35 non-UN international organizations are related to climate, energy, international law and labor rights.Washington views international commitments as constraints on the US' sovereignty. This perspective is deeply rooted in the misguided belief of American exceptionalism. By pulling the US out from these international bodies, the US administration seems intent on replacing the structures established to promote cooperation with a dog-eat-dog world order, and replacing the international rule of law with the law of the jungle. It is a vision devoid of any constructive strategy for the future, and a vision that harks back to a time when the US prioritized expansion and commercial interests over responsibility.The White House claims that the entities subject to the executive order have promoted "radical" climate policies, global governance and ideological programs that conflict with US sovereignty and economic strength. But such arguments are specious: joining such bodies is a sovereign decision, made to harness the benefits of predictability and collective effort. Moreover, the financial burden is negligible; the total yearly US contribution to the UN is only about 2 percent of its annual military spending.The move is indicative of a glaring absence of willingness to support enduring international institutions or invest in a world order of peace and stability. The US administration's unilateralist approach contradicts the global trend toward multilateral cooperation, which is driven by the shared recognition of the benefits of collaborative efforts for the good of all, especially given that many challenges such as climate change, pandemics and security threats transcend national borders and require collaborative solutions.For the US administration almost every international interaction is viewed through a transactional lens, aimed at enhancing the US' relative power at the expense of others. This retreat from multilateralism to bullying unilateralism is not only shortsighted but also dangerous.For example, the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is intended to sabotage international efforts to combat climate change in favor of those that benefit from the US' established fossil fuel industry. The implications of this "Make a Few Americans Even Richer" policy — with the tycoons of oil and gas industries being among the few — are profound, as it will accelerate the fragmentation of the already fragile world order, at a time when it is plagued by rising geopolitical tensions, rampant nationalism, stalled economic development and the looming threat of climate change.By stepping back from its international commitments, the US is not only abdicating its membership of the international community but also exacerbating the very crises that demand collective action.Returning to an era defined by diplomacy by force will not benefit the US in the long run. Those in Washington intent on an isolationist and unilateralist path should reflect on how entwined national and international interests now are, and how collaboration drives innovation and enhances economic growth, and why cooperation is the only way to address the pressing common challenges.multilateralism /ˌmʌltiˈlætərəlɪzəm/n. 多边主义sovereignty /ˈsɒvrənti/n. 主权;国家主权unilateralist /ˌjuːnɪˈlætrəlɪst/n. 单边主义者;adj. 单边主义的specious /ˈspiːʃəs/adj. 似是而非的;华而不实的

Ep 146英语新闻丨天宫空间站在科研领域发挥关键作用
Chinese astronauts worked with the country's scientists and engineers to carry out 86 new scientific and technological tasks in 2025, highlighting the value of the Tiangong space station in research work, according to the China Manned Space Agency.中国载人航天工程办公室表示,2025 年,中国航天员与国内科学家、工程师协同开展 86 项全新科技任务,彰显出天宫空间站在科研工作中的重要价值。The agency said on Thursday in a report about scientific and technological achievements made through the space station project that in 2025, a total of 1,179 kilograms of experimental instruments, materials, and other necessities required for science and technology missions were transported to the Tiangong, while 105 kg of experimental samples were brought back to Earth for further study. More than 150 terabits of scientific data were transmitted back to ground control.该办公室于周四发布一份空间站项目科技成果报告称,2025 年,共计 1179 千克的实验仪器、实验材料及其他科技任务所需物资被运送至天宫空间站,同时有 105 千克的实验样品被带回地球开展后续研究,超过 150 太比特的科学数据已传送回地面控制中心。In 2025, major accomplishments were made in science and technology missions on board the Chinese space station, including the nation's first in-orbit experimentation on rodent mammals and the world's first in-orbit tests of a pipe-checking robot, the agency said.该办公室指出,2025 年,中国空间站的科技任务取得多项重大成果,其中包括我国首次开展啮齿类哺乳动物在轨实验,以及全球首次进行管道检测机器人在轨测试。Chinese researchers published more than 230 high-quality academic papers and registered over 70 patents in 2025, thanks to experiments and data from the Tiangong, it added.报告补充道,依托天宫空间站开展的各类实验及获取的相关数据,中国科研人员在 2025 年发表了 230 余篇高质量学术论文,并申请注册了 70 余项专利。Completed in late 2022, the Tiangong is now the only operating space station independently run by a single nation, orbiting the Earth at an altitude of about 400 kilometers. With an overall weight of about 100 metric tons, it is one of the largest and most complex structures ever established in space by humanity.天宫空间站于 2022 年底完成建造,目前是全球唯一由单一国家独立运营且处于在轨运行状态的空间站,运行轨道高度约 400 公里。该空间站总重量约 100 吨,是人类在太空建造的规模最大、结构最复杂的航天器之一。It has three permanent components — the Tianhe core module and two large science lab modules called Wentian and Mengtian — and is currently connected with two visiting craft, the Shenzhou XXII crew ship and the Tianzhou 9 cargo ship.天宫空间站由三个永久性舱段构成,分别是天和核心舱以及问天、梦天两个大型科学实验舱;目前,空间站还对接了两艘来访航天器,即神舟二十二号载人飞船和天舟九号货运飞船。To date, the Tiangong has accommodated 25 astronauts from 10 crews. Several astronauts have taken part in two spaceflights on board the massive outpost.截至目前,天宫空间站已先后接待 10 乘组共 25 名航天员入驻,其中数位航天员曾两次搭乘这座大型 “太空家园” 执行飞行任务。By the end of last year, 265 scientific and technological projects had been arranged or conducted on board the space station, covering life science, microgravity physics, and new space technologies, according to the agency.中国载人航天工程办公室称,截至去年年底,空间站已规划或开展的科技项目达 265 个,研究领域涵盖生命科学、微重力物理学以及新型航天技术等。module /ˈmɒdjuːl/ 舱段;模块astronaut /ˈæstrənɔːt/ 航天员patent /ˈpeɪtnt/ 专利microgravity /ˌmaɪkrəʊˈɡrævəti/ 微重力

Ep 147英语新闻丨监管严查平台违规行为 严禁针对老用户 “大数据杀熟”
China will bar online platforms from using big data to engage in discriminatory pricing against consumers, as market regulators move to regulate the platform economy under new regulations released on Wednesday.中国市场监管部门于周三发布新规,着手规范平台经济发展,明确禁止网络平台利用大数据对消费者实施价格歧视。The State Administration for Market Regulation and the Cyberspace Administration of China released new measures on the supervision of online trading platforms. The latest rules aim to standardize the formulation, amendment and implementation of platform rules, safeguard online trading market order, and better protect the legitimate rights of merchants and consumers.国家市场监督管理总局与国家互联网信息办公室联合出台网络交易平台监督管理新规,旨在规范平台规则的制定、修订与执行流程,维护网络交易市场秩序,更好地保护平台内商家与消费者的合法权益。The measures target what regulators describe as a "critical minority" — online platform operators — and seek to further clarify and strengthen their responsibilities.此次出台的办法聚焦监管部门所称的 “关键少数”,即网络平台运营者,进一步厘清并压实了其主体责任。Under such measures, platforms are forbidden from utilizing so-called "big data kill-the-familiar" practices. It is a form of algorithm-driven price discrimination in which frequent or repeat users are charged higher prices than new customers.办法明确禁止平台采用所谓的 “大数据杀熟” 行为。这种行为是算法驱动的价格歧视,具体表现为平台向高频、复购用户收取高于新用户的费用。Liu Jian, deputy head of the SAMR's first antitrust enforcement department, said at an earlier news conference that China's platform economy has distinct business models and involves complex, multisided interests, making it difficult to draw clear behavioral boundaries.国家市场监督管理总局反垄断执法一司副司长刘健在早前的新闻发布会上表示,中国平台经济商业模式特色鲜明,涉及多方复杂利益关系,相关行为边界的界定存在一定难度。"Promoting algorithms for the public good is an important compliance objective," Liu said.刘健指出:“推动算法向善,是平台合规经营的重要目标。”The measures also spell out more detailed requirements on data, information and network security, as well as on the protection of the lawful rights of merchants operating on platforms and of consumers.办法还针对数据安全、信息安全、网络安全,以及平台内商家和消费者合法权益的保护,作出了更为细化的要求。In addition, platforms should follow stricter procedures when formulating or revising rules, including public disclosure, open consultations, reasonable transition periods and clearly defined appeal channels.此外,平台在制定或修订规则时,需遵循更严格的程序,包括规则公示、公开征求意见、设置合理过渡期以及明确异议申诉渠道等。They are also required to establish consultation mechanisms for major rule changes and systems to resolve disputes arising from transactions conducted on their platforms.同时,平台还需建立重大规则调整的协商机制,以及平台内交易纠纷的解决机制。The latest measures further set out detailed obligations on data, information and network security, as well as on the protection of the lawful rights of merchants and consumers.新规进一步细化了平台在数据安全、信息安全、网络安全方面的具体义务,同时强化了对平台内商家和消费者合法权益的保护要求。Platforms must include clear data and information security provisions in their rules, define standards on how merchants handle personal data, and specify obligations related to online protections.平台必须在其规则中纳入明确的数据和信息安全条款,明确平台内商家处理个人信息的标准,并细化网络安全保护相关义务。Crucially, the rules prohibit platforms from using internal regulations to impose unreasonable restrictions on merchants' independent operations, levy unjustified fees, or demand excessive penalties or compensation.尤为关键的是,新规禁止平台通过内部规则,对平台内商家的自主经营设置不合理限制、收取不合理费用,或是要求商家支付高额违约金、赔偿金。They also bar platforms from weakening or excluding consumer rights, shifting or waiving their own responsibilities, or unfairly increasing consumers' obligations.新规同时明令禁止平台弱化或排除消费者权利、转移或免除自身责任,以及不合理加重消费者义务的行为。Wang Xianlin, a member of the expert advisory group on the Anti-Monopoly Commission of the State Council — the nation's Cabinet — said, "Such efforts are expected to bring greater transparency and structure to the way online platforms operate, and will rebalance interests and rebuild a healthy platform ecosystem."国务院反垄断委员会专家咨询组成员王先林表示:“这些举措有望提升网络平台运营的透明度和规范性,进一步平衡各方利益,助力构建健康有序的平台生态体系。”discriminatory /dɪˈskrɪmɪnətəri/adj. 歧视性的;区别对待的formulation /ˌfɔːmjʊˈleɪʃn/n. 制定;构想;配方antitrust /ˌæntiˈtrʌst/adj. 反垄断的;反托拉斯的transparency /trænsˈpærənsi/n. 透明度;透明性

Ep 148英语新闻丨中国预计冬季旅游将大幅增长
China's ice and snow resources have turned into a robust economic driver, with experts noting the transformation of winter tourism and related leisure activities from a "niche experience" into a "popular trend" and predicting that the industry will continue to boom.中国的冰雪资源已成为强劲的经济驱动力,专家指出,冬季旅游及相关休闲活动正从 “小众体验” 转变为 “大众潮流”,并预计该产业将持续蓬勃发展。According to a report released on Monday by the China Tourism Academy, the season from December 2025 to February 2026 is expected to see 360 million winter tourism trips, generating around 450 billion yuan ($64 billion) in revenue.中国旅游研究院周一发布的一份报告显示,2025 年 12 月至 2026 年 2 月的冰雪季期间,预计全国冬季旅游人次将达 3.6 亿,旅游收入约 4500 亿元人民币(折合 640 亿美元)。Yang Lezhi, 27, a resident of Beijing, said she decided to hone her skiing skills in recent years, thanks to the mushrooming winter resort options across the country.27 岁的北京市民杨乐芝(音译)表示,近年来全国范围内的滑雪场如雨后春笋般涌现,于是她下定决心精进自己的滑雪技术。"I feel like Elsa from the film Frozen when I ski. The sport is almost addictive once you learn to navigate the slopes," she said.她说:“滑雪的时候,我感觉自己就像电影《冰雪奇缘》里的艾莎。一旦学会了驾驭雪道,这项运动就会让人欲罢不能。”Yang recalled that she visited several spectacular winter destinations in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, and Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces during her days in college.杨乐芝回忆道,大学期间她曾到访过新疆维吾尔自治区以及吉林、黑龙江两省的多个绝美冬季旅游胜地。"However, skiing was a niche sport back then. Many of my friends and I discovered the thrill of skiing only after 2023, and now we are always eager to hit the slopes to enjoy the winter scenery better," she added.她补充道:“不过那时候滑雪还是一项小众运动。我和很多朋友都是在 2023 年之后才感受到滑雪的乐趣,现在我们总是迫不及待地奔赴雪场,更好地欣赏冬日美景。”According to the academy's report, about 75 percent of the respondents said they wish to take winter trips this season; more than 40 percent said they would like to increase the frequency of their participation in ice and snow leisure activities; and over 40 percent said they would increase their consumption of such activities this winter.该研究院的报告显示,约 75% 的受访者表示本雪季有冬季出游的意愿;超 40% 的受访者称愿意提高参与冰雪休闲活动的频率;另有超 40% 的受访者表示今冬会增加在冰雪休闲活动上的消费。Yang Jinsong, a researcher at the China Tourism Academy, said the nation's increasing efforts in developing winter tourism and the success of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics accelerated the industry's development.中国旅游研究院研究员杨劲松表示,国家对冬季旅游发展的持续发力,以及 2022 年北京冬奥会的成功举办,推动了冰雪产业的加速发展。In November 2024, the State Council, China's Cabinet, issued guidelines to strengthen the nation's ice and snow economy, which set a target of 1.2 trillion yuan for 2027 and 1.5 trillion yuan for 2030.2024 年 11 月,中国国务院印发关于做强冰雪经济的指导意见,明确提出 2027 年冰雪经济规模达到 1.2 万亿元、2030 年达到 1.5 万亿元的目标。Yang Jinsong said he is optimistic about the industry's prospects, because a large population base creates a relatively larger market for winter tourism and sports.杨劲松表示,他对冰雪产业的前景持乐观态度,庞大的人口基数为冬季旅游和冰雪运动造就了体量可观的市场。"After the Beijing Olympics, people have had a stronger awareness of and growing interest in winter tourism and sports. Also, supportive government policies have encouraged more companies and suppliers to join the industry," he said.他说:“北京冬奥会之后,民众对冬季旅游和冰雪运动的认知度显著提升、兴趣日益浓厚。同时,政府出台的扶持政策也吸引了更多企业和供应商投身这一产业。”While some provinces have geographical advantages in developing their winter tourism industry, others have channeled resources and investment to facilitate ice and snow activities at human-made facilities, he added.他补充道,部分省份发展冬季旅游具有得天独厚的地理优势,而其他省份则通过投入资源与资金,依托人工设施开展冰雪活动。Data from the report shows that southern China, including provinces such as Guangdong, topped the nation's winter tourism heavy assets investment with an annual total exceeding 30 billion yuan.报告数据显示,以广东省为代表的中国南方地区,在冬季旅游重资产投资领域位居全国首位,年度投资总额超 300 亿元人民币。China has established a whole industrial chain for winter tourism, ice and snow culture, winter sports, and winter gear, the report said. In 2025, there were 1,423 new companies involved in the winter tourism industry. The total number of such companies reached more than 14,000, up 11 percent compared with 2024, according to the report.报告指出,中国已构建起涵盖冬季旅游、冰雪文化、冰雪运动、冰雪装备的完整产业链。2025 年,全国新增冰雪旅游相关企业 1423 家,相关企业总数突破 1.4 万家,较 2024 年增长 11%。A previous report unveiled by Asiadg.com and Beijing Sport University showed that China's winter-related consumption from late 2024 to early 2025 totaled 187.5 billion yuan.此前由亚洲数据集团与北京体育大学联合发布的一份报告显示,2024 年末至 2025 年初,中国冰雪相关消费总额达 1875 亿元人民币。The value of the nation's winter-related industry grew from 270 billion yuan in 2015 to 980 billion yuan in 2024, it said, estimating that the industry will exceed 1 trillion yuan in 2025 for the first time and reach 1.5 trillion yuan in 2030.该报告称,中国冰雪产业规模从 2015 年的 2700 亿元增长至 2024 年的 9800 亿元,并预计该产业规模将于 2025 年首次突破万亿元大关,到 2030 年达到 1.5 万亿元。niche /niːʃ/adj. 小众的;特定领域的thrill /θrɪl/n. 兴奋感;激动;v. 使兴奋;使激动accelerate /əkˈseləreɪt/v. 加速;促进;使加快prospect /ˈprɒspekt/n. 前景;展望;(复数)成功的机会将这段中文再翻译回英文请再提供一些关于中国冰雪产业发展的英文报道。用英文介绍一下中国冰雪产业的优势。

Ep 149英语新闻丨大陆制裁台湾官员,警告分裂分子
Chinese mainland authorities named two senior officials from Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party as die-hard "Taiwan independence" separatists on Wednesday and labeled a Taiwan prosecutor as an accomplice, saying that they will face lifelong legal accountability.Chen Binhua, a spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said at a news conference that Liu Shih-fang, head of Taiwan's so-called "interior affairs department", and Cheng Ying-yao, head of the island's "education department", were added to a mainland list of people accused of pushing "Taiwan independence".Chen accused Liu and Cheng of promoting separatist ideas that go against mainstream public opinion. He said that authorities had received reports from compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait calling for the two officials to be punished.The spokesman said that Liu has blatantly propagated "Taiwan independence" rhetoric and has restricted people in Taiwan who support or take part in exchanges with the mainland, including mainland-born spouses living on the island.Chen said that Cheng, who oversees the island's education policy, has brazenly peddled provocative rhetoric advocating "Taiwan independence" and has organized the compilation of "Taiwan independence" teaching materials, which he said have had a negative impact on young people in Taiwan.The spokesman criticized both officials for persistent and extreme actions aimed at dividing the country, stirring confrontation, disrupting cross-Strait exchanges and harming the interests of people on both sides.Under mainland laws, sanctions have been imposed on Liu and Cheng. They and their family members are barred from entering the mainland, as well as the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions. Organizations affiliated with them are also banned from doing business on the mainland or cooperating with mainland entities.The spokesman also announced that Chen Shu-yi, a prosecutor at Taiwan's so-called "high prosecutors office", had been listed as an accomplice to "Taiwan independence" activities, and she would be held legally responsible for life.He accused the prosecutor of fabricating cases, making false accusations and targeting people in Taiwan who support cross-Strait exchanges. He said such actions were intended to intimidate the public and create a "climate of fear".The spokesman also encouraged people from both the mainland and Taiwan to provide information and evidence related to the alleged illegal activities of those named.So far, the mainland has identified 14 individuals as die-hard "Taiwan independence" separatists, including Hsiao Bi-khim, Taiwan's deputy leader, and Koo Li-hsiung, head of the island's "defense department". It has also listed 12 people as accomplices of "Taiwan independence" secessionists."Any 'Taiwan independence' separatist who breaks the law, no matter where they are, will face all necessary measures and will be held accountable for life," the spokesman said.He also responded to a recent proposal by DPP lawmakers to amend Taiwan's law governing relations with the mainland. He said the "red line" must not be crossed, and he accused the DPP authorities of escalating tensions across the Taiwan Strait.The proposal, which reportedly has been withdrawn, sought to redefine cross-Strait relations as relations between "Taiwan and the People's Republic of China" and to remove the words "before national reunification" from the Taiwan law.Citing China's Anti-Secession Law, the spokesman said the mainland would not tolerate what it calls "de jure independence", warning that those who challenge the law will face serious consequences.

Ep 150英语新闻丨UN members denounce US attack
The United Nations Security Council's first meeting of 2026 heard a global chorus of UN member states strongly denounce the United States' strike in Venezuela as a grave violation of the UN Charter, although a US representative defended it as a "surgical law enforcement operation".At Monday's emergency session, Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, urged Washington to heed the international community's "overwhelming voice", comply with international law and the UN Charter, halt actions that infringe on other countries' sovereignty and security, stop toppling Venezuela's government, and return to dialogue and negotiations as the path to a political solution.Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, seized and brought to the US on Saturday after a large-scale US strike in the South American nation, pleaded not guilty in federal court in New York on Monday to charges of narco-terrorism. Crowds of protesters gathered outside the courthouse, many voicing opposition to the US action against Venezuela.Sun expressed China's "deep shock" and strong condemnation of what he described as the "unilateral, illegal and bullying acts" of the US, and he called for Washington to ensure the safety of Maduro and his wife, and to release them immediately."The US has placed its own power above multilateralism and military actions above diplomatic efforts,"Sun said, warning that such actions pose a grave threat to peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean and even internationally.He said the US military strikes "wantonly trampled" on Venezuela's sovereignty and violated core tenets of the UN Charter, including the principles of sovereign equality, noninterference in internal affairs, peaceful settlement of international disputes, and prohibition of the use of force in international relations."The lessons of history are a stark warning," Sun said, adding that military means are not the solution to international problems, and the indiscriminate use of force will only lead to greater crises.He cited past US actions, such as bypassing the Security Council to launch military operations against Iraq, attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities, and the imposition of economic sanctions, military strikes and armed occupations in Latin America and the Caribbean.Those actions caused persistent conflict, instability and immense suffering for ordinary people, he said.The envoy reiterated that China firmly supports the Venezuelan government and people in safeguarding their sovereignty, security and legitimate rights and interests, and supports countries in the region in upholding Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace.He called on the US to change course, cease bullying and coercive practices, and develop relations and cooperation with countries in the region on the basis of mutual respect, equality and noninterference in internal affairs.Addressing the UN meeting, US economist Jeffrey Sachs said that the US military action and ongoing pressure violate Article 2, Section 4 of the UN Charter, which prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.Sachs, president of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, called these actions part of a long-standing US pattern of "covert regime change", citing a historical record of 70 such operations between 1947 and 1989 alone.The US should "immediately cease and desist from all explicit and implicit threats or uses of force against Venezuela", he said.Sachs said, "Peace, and the survival of humanity, depends on whether the United Nations Charter remains a living instrument of international law, or is allowed to wither into irrelevance."At the meeting, Russia's UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, also called for the immediate release of Maduro and his wife.The Russian envoy called the US military action in Venezuela a "crime cynically perpetrated" and a harbinger of a return to an era of "lawlessness", stressing that any conflicts must be resolved through dialogue as enshrined in the UN Charter.Backers of the US military operation in Venezuela, including Argentina, framed the action as a law-enforcement, anti-narco-terrorism step and argued it could open a path to restoring democracy.Representatives of many countries pushed back by arguing that democracy cannot be delivered through force and coercion, and that any political outcome must be decided by Venezuelans through peaceful and lawful means.Leonor Zalabata Torres, Colombia's UN envoy, said that "democracy cannot be promoted or defended through violence or coercion", and Venezuela deserves peace and democracy, prosperity and dignity, with a government whose sovereignty is defined by no one but the Venezuelan people and their institutions.Mexico's UN envoy, Hector Vasconcelos, warned that "regime change by external actors and the application of extraterritorial measures" is cont

Ep 151英语新闻丨2025 年中国邮政寄递业务量达 2165 亿件
China's postal industry processed 216.5 billion delivery items in 2025, an increase of 11.5 percent year on year, according to data released at the 2026 national postal work conference on Wednesday.2026 年全国邮政工作会议于周三发布数据显示,2025 年中国邮政行业处理寄递业务量达 2165 亿件,同比增长 11.5%The courier sector alone handled 199 billion parcels, marking a 13.7 percent growth from 2024.仅快递业务板块就处理包裹 1990 亿件,较 2024 年增长 13.7%Zhao Chongjiu, head of the State Post Bureau, said at the conference that the postal industry's total business revenue reached 1.8 trillion yuan (about $256.5 billion) in 2025, rising 6.4 percent year on year. Revenue from courier services climbed 6.5 percent to 1.5 trillion yuan.国家邮政局局长赵冲久在会上表示,2025 年邮政行业业务收入累计完成 1.8 万亿元人民币(约合 2565 亿美元),同比增长 6.4%;其中快递业务收入达 1.5 万亿元,同比增长 6.5%。Zhao noted that the industry has maintained steady and positive growth momentum, with key indicators showing stable growth and the sector further strengthening its role in boosting economic and social development.赵冲久指出,邮政行业保持平稳向好的发展态势,核心指标实现稳步增长,行业服务经济社会发展的作用进一步增强核心单词。postal /ˈpəʊstl/adj. 邮政的,邮局的courier/ˈkʊriə(r)/n. 快递;快递公司;信使revenue/ˈrevənjuː/n. (企业、行业的)收入,收益;财政收入momentum/məˈmentəm/n. 发展势头,动力;动量

Ep 152英语新闻丨中国限制对日本出口军民两用物品
China announced on Tuesday an immediate ban on exporting dual-use items to Japan, in response to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks hinting at the possibility of military intervention in the Taiwan Strait.中国于周二宣布,立即禁止向日本出口军民两用物品,以此回应日本首相高市早苗有关暗示可能军事干预台湾海峡的错误言论。These remarks "constitute gross interference in China's internal affairs, seriously violate the one-China principle, and are extremely egregious in both nature and impact", a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said on Tuesday.商务部发言人于周二表示,上述言论 “严重干涉中国内政,严重违反一个中国原则,性质恶劣、影响极坏”。In order to safeguard national security and interests, as well as fulfill international nonproliferation obligations, China decided to strengthen control over dual-use item exports to Japan, the ministry said in its first announcement of the year.商务部在其本年度首份公告中指出,为维护国家安全和利益,履行防扩散国际义务,中国决定加强对向日本出口军民两用物品的管控。Dual-use items refer to products, software and technologies that have legitimate civilian uses, but can also be adapted for military purposes, such as the development of weapons of mass destruction or the enhancement of conventional military capabilities. The list covers items from chemicals and drones to high-tech computers and software.军民两用物品是指既有合法民用用途,又可被改造用于军事目的的产品、软件和技术,例如可用于大规模杀伤性武器研发或提升常规军事能力的相关物品。该清单涵盖的品类从化学品、无人机,到高科技计算机及软件等。The country prohibits the export of all dual-use items to Japanese military users, for Japan's military use, and for any other end-users and end-use purposes that help enhance Japan's military capabilities, according to the announcement.公告明确,中国禁止向日本军事用户出口任何军民两用物品,禁止任何军民两用物品用于日本军事用途,同时禁止向其他任何有助于提升日本军事能力的最终用户出口,或用于此类最终用途。Stringent export controls and licensing requirements for dual-use items represent an established international norm.对军民两用物品实施严格的出口管制及许可要求,是一项公认的国际准则。The United States' Export Control Reform Act and the European Union's Dual-Use Regulation, for instance, mandate that the export of sensitive technologies or materials, including those with potential military applications, must be subject to proper licensing and authorization procedures.例如,美国《出口管制改革法案》和欧盟《军民两用物品条例》均规定,敏感技术或物资(包括具有潜在军事应用价值的相关品类)的出口,必须经过规范的许可和审批程序。China is also considering tightening export permit reviews for certain rare earth-related items to Japan, due to Takaichi's recent erroneous remarks on Taiwan and her continued refusal to retract them, a source familiar with the matter told China Daily on Tuesday.一位知情人士于周二向《中国日报》透露,鉴于高市早苗近期就台湾问题发表错误言论且拒不收回,中国正考虑收紧部分稀土相关物品对日本的出口许可审核。On April 4 last year, the Ministry of Commerce, along with the General Administration of Customs, issued an announcement on export control measures for seven categories of medium and heavy rare earth-related items — samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium and yttrium.去年 4 月 4 日,商务部会同海关总署发布公告,对钐、钆、铽、镝、镥、钪、钇等七类中重稀土相关物品实施出口管制措施。According to Tokyo-headquartered Nomura Research Institute, heavy rare earths such as dysprosium and terbium, used for electric vehicle motors in Japan, are almost 100 percent sourced from China. Any restrictions on those supplies would pose significant challenges to the Japanese economy.总部位于东京的野村综合研究所指出,日本电动汽车电机所使用的镝、铽等重稀土,几乎 100% 依赖从中国进口。此类稀土供应若受限,将对日本经济构成重大挑战。The institute estimates that if China's restrictions on rare earth exports to Japan were to last for three months, it would result in losses of about 660 billion yen ($4.2 billion), reducing nominal and real GDP by 0.11 percent annually. If the restrictions continued for a year, losses could reach about 2.6 trillion yen, leading to a 0.43 percent decline in both nominal and real GDP as noted by the institute.该研究所测算,若中国对日本的稀土出口限制持续三个月,日本将遭受约 6600 亿日元(折合 42 亿美元)的损失,其名义国内生产总值和实际国内生产总值年均降幅将达 0.11%;若限制持续一年,损失规模或将达到约 2.6 万亿日元,导致日本名义和实际国内生产总值均下降 0.43%。Beijing has sent Tokyo a clear message that it cannot expect to continue benefiting from China's vast market and resources while challenging China's core interests, said Chen Wenling, former chief economist at the China Center for International Economic Exchanges.中国国际经济交流中心前首席经济学家陈文玲表示,中方已向日方发出明确信号:日方不能指望在挑战中国核心利益的同时,还能持续从中国广阔的市场和丰富的资源中获益。"The one-China principle and noninterference in China's internal affairs form an unbreachable prerequisite for China-Japan cooperation,"Chen said.陈文玲强调:“一个中国原则和不干涉中国内政,是中日开展合作不可逾越的前提。”Tetsuro Homma, executive vice-president of Panasonic, said that China is not only a consumer market or a manufacturing powerhouse, but also an innovation and engineering hub.松下电器常务副社长本间哲朗表示,中国不仅是一个消费市场和制造业大国,更是一个创新和工程技术中心。"For Japanese companies, strengthening collaboration with Chinese supply chain partners is crucial. It enables us to deliver quality products to global consumers at more competitive prices,"Homma said.本间哲朗称:“对于日本企业而言,加强与中国供应链合作伙伴的协作至关重要。这能让我们以更具竞争力的价格,向全球消费者提供优质产品。”dual-use /ˌdjuːəl ˈjuːs/ adj. 军民两用的nonproliferation /ˌnɒnprəˌlɪfəˈreɪʃn/ n. 防扩散;不扩散rare earth /ˌreə ˈɜːθ/ n. 稀土prerequisite /ˌpriːˈrekwəzɪt/ n. 前提;先决条件

Ep 153英语新闻丨江苏盱眙通报“助产士剪脐带时剪断新生儿手指”事件
An incident at the People's Hospital of Xuyi county in Huai'an, Jiangsu province, has captured widespread attention after a newborn's left middle finger was accidentally severed during the cutting of the umbilical cord.江苏省淮安市盱眙县人民医院发生一起事件,一名新生儿在脐带结扎过程中左手中指意外被切断,该事件引发广泛关注。The newborn's father, surnamed Sheng, said that due to the infant's small size, the surgery was highly challenging. It took two hospital transfers before the severed finger was reattached at a specialized hospital in Wuxi.新生儿的父亲表示,因婴儿体型幼小,手术难度极大。新生儿先后转诊两家医院,最终在无锡一家专科医院完成断指再植手术。On Monday evening, the county's health commission issued a statement about the incident. On Dec 25, a woman surnamed Zhang gave birth to a baby boy via cesarean section at the hospital. During the procedure, a severe error by the attending midwife resulted in the partial severing of the newborn's left middle finger.该县卫生健康委员会于周一晚间就此事发布通报。12 月 25 日,一名张姓产妇在该院通过剖宫产诞下一名男婴。手术过程中,当班助产士操作出现严重失误,导致新生儿左手中指部分离断。The county hospital promptly contacted several other facilities before transferring the infant to a hospital where a surgery was performed that afternoon. By Dec 31, the infant had been discharged and is currently in the recovery phase.盱眙县人民医院迅速联系多家医疗机构,随即转诊新生儿,接收转诊的医院于当日下午为婴儿实施了手术。截至 12 月 31 日,新生儿已康复出院,目前处于术后恢复阶段。The statement said that the midwife involved has been suspended from her duties. The county hospital has issued repeated and sincere apologies to the infant's family and has pledged to support his treatment and rehabilitation fully.通报称,涉事助产士已被暂停执业。盱眙县人民医院已向新生儿家属多次诚恳致歉,并承诺全额承担婴儿后续的治疗与康复费用。It said the incident has highlighted deficiencies in the hospital's medical safety management procedures, and all personnel involved will be held accountable. A comprehensive medical safety inspection will be conducted throughout the county.通报指出,该事件暴露出医院在医疗安全管理流程中存在漏洞,所有相关责任人都将被追究责任。全县范围内将开展一次全面的医疗安全专项检查。According to the father, the infant's severed finger is fixed with a steel pin, causing the child to cry frequently.据新生儿父亲介绍,孩子的断指处采用钢针固定,这让孩子时常哭闹。umbilical /ʌmˈbɪlɪkl/adj. 脐带的;脐部的cesarean /sɪˈzeəriən/adj. 剖宫产的;剖腹产的rehabilitation /ˌriːəˌbɪlɪˈteɪʃn/n. 康复;复原accountable /əˈkaʊntəbl/adj. 负有责任的;应被追责的

Ep 154英语新闻丨A股迎来红火新年开局
As the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index finished above the 4,000-point level on the first trading day of 2026, the upward momentum is likely to continue in the A-share market throughout the year, which is backed by self-reliant technology advancement and continued recovery in economic fundamentals, said experts on Monday.专家于周一表示,2026 年首个交易日,基准上证综指收盘站上 4000 点整数关口,依托自主科技创新突破以及经济基本面的持续修复,A 股市场全年上行势头有望延续。Their comments came after the benchmark index closed 1.38 percent higher at 4,023.42 on Monday, while the Shenzhen Component Index gained 2.24 percent. The tech-heavy ChiNext board in Shenzhen jumped 2.85 percent. Combined trading value at the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges totaled 2.5 trillion yuan ($360 billion), up 500 billion yuan from the previous trading day.此番观点发布的背景是,该基准指数周一收盘上涨 1.38%,报 4023.42 点;深证成指上涨 2.24%;主打科技股的创业板指大涨 2.85%。沪深两市合计成交额达 2.5 万亿元人民币(折合 3600 亿美元),较前一交易日增加 5000 亿元。Insurance companies reported the strongest rally on Monday, surging 6.72 percent on average. The semiconductor sector also jumped 4.18 percent.保险板块成为周一领涨主力,平均涨幅达 6.72%;半导体板块同样大涨 4.18%。Experts from China Galaxy Securities explained that the recent rally in the Hong Kong market, which occurred during the New Year holiday break of A shares, coupled with the recent strengthening of the renminbi in the foreign exchange market, has boosted investor confidence.中国银河证券专家解读称,A 股元旦休市期间港股市场的连日走高,叠加近期人民币汇率在外汇市场的持续走强,共同提振了投资者信心。Analysts from Founder Securities said that breakthroughs to be anticipated in emerging industries — such as commercial spaceflight, artificial intelligence, brain-computer interface and nuclear fusion — will further propel the A-share rally as 2026 plays out.方正证券分析师表示,2026 年,商业航天、人工智能、脑机接口、核聚变等新兴产业的预期突破,将进一步推动 A 股市场上行。Foreign institutions hold a positive outlook on the A-share performance this year.外资机构对今年 A 股表现持积极展望。Goldman Sachs' chief China equity strategist, Kinger Lau, and his team wrote in a report in late December that China's major indexes still have room for 38 percent growth by the end of 2027, with companies' improving profitability to be a major driver.高盛首席中国股票策略师刘劲津及其团队在去年 12 月末的一份报告中写道,到 2027 年底,中国主要股指仍有 38% 的上涨空间,企业盈利能力的持续改善将是核心驱动因素。Meng Lei, a China equity strategist of UBS Securities, said that profitability growth, which came at 6 percent in 2025, is likely to further rise to 8 percent this year.瑞银证券中国股票策略师孟磊表示,2025 年企业盈利增速为 6%,今年这一增速有望进一步提升至 8%。UBS Global Wealth Management Chief Investment Office wrote in a note at the end of 2025 that about 7 trillion yuan of Chinese household excess savings may flow into the stock market this year, sustaining the upward trend.瑞银全球财富管理首席投资办公室在 2025 年末的一份报告中指出,今年中国居民约 7 万亿元的超额储蓄有望流入股市,为市场上行趋势提供支撑。JPMorgan said in a forecast that the CSI 300 Index, which monitors the 300 A-share heavyweights, may touch 5,200 points at the end of this year. Morgan Stanley sets a target of 4,840 points for the same index, which stood at 4,717.75 points on Monday.摩根大通在一份预测报告中称,涵盖 300 只 A 股龙头股的沪深 300 指数,年底有望触及 5200 点。摩根士丹利则将该指数目标点位定为 4840 点,该指数周一收盘报 4717.75 点。According to experts from Shenwan Hongyuan Securities, the readings of China's purchasing managers' index in December grew beyond seasonal improvements, which further trims the downward possibility of the A-share market this coming spring.申万宏源证券专家表示,12 月中国采购经理人指数(PMI)的回升幅度超出季节性改善水平,这进一步降低了今年春季 A 股市场出现回调的可能性。The A-share market will prepare itself for an overall bull run this year. The RMB's recent stronger-than-expected appreciation has strengthened the global market's understanding of the competitiveness of the Chinese manufacturing sector, which may trigger the accelerated return of foreign capital into A shares, they said.他们指出,A 股市场正为今年的全面牛市蓄力。近期人民币汇率的超预期走强,加深了全球市场对中国制造业竞争力的认知,这或将推动外资加速回流 A 股。Zhang Xia, chief strategy analyst at China Merchants Securities, said that the odds are high for the A-share market to stage a bullish performance this spring. The issuance of local government special bonds and central budgetary investments are likely to speed up."Government expenditure and investment data are likely to improve, which will lead to marginal recovery in economic fundamentals," Zhang said.招商证券首席策略分析师张夏(音译)表示,A 股市场今年春季走出一波上涨行情的概率较大。地方政府专项债发行以及中央预算内投资有望提速,“政府支出和投资数据的好转,将带动经济基本面实现边际修复。”Xia Fanjie, a strategist at CSC Financial Co Ltd, said that market liquidity and foreign exchange performance during this year's New Year holiday were significantly better than during the previous two years. The amiable external market may lead to an A-share bull shortly after the holiday.中信建投证券策略分析师夏凡捷表示,今年元旦假期期间的市场流动性与外汇表现,均明显优于前两年。良好的外部市场环境,或推动 A 股在节后快速迎来一波上涨行情。The overall relaxed credit environment in China is conducive to extending the bullish performance for a longer period. Investor sentiment remains high. Opportunities may be churned out in industries with higher industry prospects, including nonferrous metals and AI, as well as hot market topics such as commercial spaceflight and nuclear power, Xia said.夏凡捷称,国内整体宽松的信用环境,有助于延长市场上涨周期。当前投资者情绪

Ep 155英语新闻丨Close ROK ties highlighted
President Xi Jinping has underlined the need for Beijing and Seoul to stand firm on the right side of history and make correct strategic choices amid the transformation and turbulence of the international landscape.Xi made the remarks on Monday during his talks with Republic of Korea President Lee Jae-myung at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.With a large business delegation, Lee started a four-day state visit to China on Sunday, the first since he took office in June and the first trip by an ROK president to China since 2019. Xi held a grand welcoming ceremony for him before their official talks.Xi said that both China and the ROK bear important responsibilities in maintaining regional peace and promoting global development, and they have broad common interests.Over 80 years ago, China and the ROK made great national sacrifices to achieve victory in the battle against Japanese militarism, and today, they should join hands to safeguard the outcomes of World War II and protect peace and stability in Northeast Asia, he said.Noting that China and the ROK are beneficiaries of economic globalization, he underscored the need for them to jointly oppose protectionism, practice true multilateralism, and contribute to advancing an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.Xi highlighted the close economic ties between the two countries, saying they have developed deeply intertwined industrial and supply chains and mutually beneficial cooperation.The two countries should strengthen the alignment of development strategies and policy coordination, expand their shared interests, and create more cooperation achievements in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, green industries and the silver economy, he said.Xi noted that China always places its relationship with the ROK as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy and maintains consistency and stability in its policy toward the ROK.He emphasized that both countries are peace-loving and have long adhered to the principles of "harmony without uniformity", and they have transcended differences in social systems and ideologies to achieve mutual success and common development.Both sides should continue this fine tradition, continuously enhance mutual trust, respect each other's development paths of their own choice, accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns, and resolve differences through dialogue and consultation, Xi said.China is willing to work with the ROK to firmly hold on to the direction of friendly cooperation, uphold the principle of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, and promote their strategic cooperative partnership along a healthy trajectory in order to enhance the well-being of the two peoples and contribute to regional and global peace and development, Xi said.Lee said that his country attaches great importance to its relationship with China and wishes to use this first head-of-state diplomacy of the new year as an opportunity to consolidate the momentum of the comprehensive recovery and development of ROK-China relations and jointly open a new chapter in the development of bilateral relations.The ROK respects China's core interests and major concerns and adheres to the one-China principle, he said, emphasizing the important role of economic and trade ties between the two countries.After the talks, the two heads of state witnessed the signing of 15 cooperation documents in fields such as scientific and technological innovation, the environment, transportation, and economic and trade cooperation.The talks followed the leaders' meeting in Gyeongju in early November, when Xi made a state visit to the ROK and attended the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders'Meeting.Observers said that China and the ROK, two major economies in the Asia-Pacific region, face a shared responsibility to promote stability and confidence in the region. Lee's China visit offers an opportunity to consolidate the positive trajectory of bilateral ties and chart a clearer course for the future, they said.Economic ties continue to serve as the cornerstone of the countries' relationship. For over two decades, China has been the ROK's largest trading partner, while the ROK stands as one of China's most important economic partners.Lee Chang-ho, chairman of the civil group Korea-China Exchange Promotion Committee, told China Daily that it is important for the ROK and China to jointly enhance the strategic role of building peace in Northeast Asia through the institutionalization of regular shuttle diplomacy between the two countries.

Ep 156英语新闻丨元旦假期催生出行高峰
China's tourism market hit its first travel peak of the year during the three-day New Year holiday period starting Thursday, with a strong festive demand drawing both domestic and international travelers to destinations across the country.中国旅游市场在自周四起的三天元旦假期期间迎来了年内首个出行高峰,旺盛的节日需求吸引着国内外游客前往全国各地的旅游目的地。The Ministry of Culture and Tourism said 142 million domestic trips were made during the holiday, generating about 84.8 billion yuan ($12.13 billion) in tourism revenue. This year's three-day holiday lasted two days longer than last year, a likely contributor to travel demand.文化和旅游部表示,假期期间国内旅游人次达 1.42 亿,实现旅游收入约 848 亿元人民币(折合 121.3 亿美元)。今年的三天假期较去年延长了两天,这很可能是提振出行需求的一个因素。Yan Lijie and three of her university dorm mates spent New Year's Eve on Wednesday night at Beijing's 798 Art District, an industrial heritage art zone, before staying in the city for a two-day tour through Friday.严丽洁(音译)和三名大学室友于周三晚在北京市 798 艺术区(一处工业遗产艺术园区)跨年,随后留在北京游玩至周五,行程共计两天。"We are in our third year at a college in Tianjin, neighboring Beijing, and it's our dorm's tradition to spend New Year's Eve in a nearby city over the past two years," said Yan, 23. "There were so many activities, including art exhibitions, fairs and performances that night, and the rich festive atmosphere really touched us."“我们是天津一所高校的大三学生,天津与北京相邻。过去两年,我们宿舍的传统就是去邻近城市跨年。”23 岁的严丽洁说,“当晚有超多活动,包括艺术展览、集市和演出,浓厚的节日氛围真的很打动我们。”Qi Chunguang, vice-president of travel portal Tuniu, said tourism consumption during the holiday showed increasing diversification, with the market offering a wider range of options such as theme park tours, winter tourism and temple visits for new year blessings.旅游门户网站途牛副总裁齐春光表示,假期期间的旅游消费呈现出日益多元化的趋势,市场提供了更丰富的选择,例如主题公园游、冬季旅游以及新年祈福逛庙会等。"We've noticed that younger travelers show stronger preferences for concerts, music festivals, drone shows or fireworks displays to count down to the new year," Qi said.齐春光说:“我们注意到,年轻游客更青睐通过演唱会、音乐节、无人机表演或烟花秀等方式跨年倒计时。”Data from travel platform Qunar supported that observation. Taking Kaifeng in central China's Henan province as an example, Qunar said hotel bookings in the city tripled during the holiday, driven by its two Chinese-style theme parks — Wansuishan and Millennium City Park.旅游平台去哪儿网的数据印证了这一观察结果。去哪儿网表示,以中国中部河南省开封市为例,在万岁山和清明上河园两大中式主题公园的带动下,该市假期期间的酒店预订量增长了两倍。Qunar said that beyond first-tier cities such as Guangzhou in Guangdong province, Beijing and Shanghai, smaller counties and towns also attracted large numbers of travelers welcoming the New Year.去哪儿网称,除广东广州、北京、上海等一线城市外,众多县域小镇也吸引了大批游客前来跨年。"Hotels booked by our users span more than 1,000 counties nationwide this holiday, ranging from warmer Nan'ao in South China's Guangdong province to northern counties such as Antu in Jilin province, known for snow scenery and winter resorts," Qunar said.去哪儿网表示:“本次假期,我们用户预订的酒店遍布全国超 1000 个县域,从气候温暖的中国南部广东省南澳县,到以雪景和冬季度假胜地闻名的中国北部吉林省安图县等县域都包含在内。”Inbound and outbound tourism also recorded strong growth. Qunar said its users booked hotels in nearly 3,000 cities worldwide during the holiday, with short-haul overseas destinations including Seoul, Bangkok and Hong Kong among the top three choices.出入境旅游也迎来强劲增长。去哪儿网称,假期期间平台用户预订了全球近 3000 座城市的酒店,短途境外目的地中,首尔、曼谷和中国香港位列前三。The platform added that a growing number of international tourists chose to ring in the New Year on the Chinese mainland. Travelers holding non-Chinese passports booked flights to 97 cities across China, with Shanghai, Guangzhou and Beijing attracting the largest numbers.该平台补充道,越来越多的国际游客选择在中国大陆跨年。持外国护照的游客预订了飞往中国 97 座城市的航班,其中上海、广州和北京的入境游客数量位居前三。"Most international tourists came from neighboring countries, including Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia, while visitors from Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and the United States also recorded significant growth during the holiday," Qunar said.去哪儿网表示:“大多数国际游客来自越南、新加坡、马来西亚等周边国家,而沙特阿拉伯、乌兹别克斯坦和美国的游客数量在假期期间也实现了显著增长。”Figures released on Sunday by the National Immigration Administration showed about 6.62 million inbound and outbound trips by Chinese and foreign travelers during the three-day holiday. Of those, about 828,000 trips were made by foreign nationals, representing a year-on-year increase of 29.8 percent.国家移民管理局于周日发布的数据显示,三天假期期间,中外人员出入境总量约 662 万人次。其中,外国公民出入境人次约 82.8 万,同比增长 29.8%。peak /piːk/ n. 高峰;顶峰diversification /daɪˌvɜːsɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/ n. 多样化;多元化inbound /ˈɪnbaʊnd/ adj. 入境的;入站的outbound /ˈaʊtbaʊnd/ adj. 出境的;出站的

Ep 157英语新闻丨ROK leader begins state visit to China
President of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae-myung arrived in Beijing on Sunday afternoon, becoming the first head of state to visit China in the new year.It is Lee's first visit to China since assuming office in June. During his stay, Lee will meet with President Xi Jinping, their second engagement in just two months. The two presidents met in November in Gyeongju, the ROK, as Xi made a state visit to the neighboring country.The four-day state visit will also take Lee to Shanghai, where he will visit the historic site of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea during Japan's colonial rule.In an interview with China Central Television before the trip, Lee said the purpose of his visit is to minimize or eliminate past misunderstandings or contradictions, and elevate bilateral relations to a new level.Lee said that Seoul should seek coexistence and cooperation with Beijing to the greatest extent possible, and actively and deeply explore areas that could achieve mutual benefits.China has remained the ROK's largest trading partner for more than two decades, while in 2024, the ROK surpassed Japan to become China's second-largest trading partner.Statistics from China Customs show that bilateral trade value totaled 2.14 trillion yuan ($306 billion) in the first 11 months of 2025, marking a 1.6 percent year-on-year increase.Lee said that in recent years, China's economy has achieved significant growth and development, and the country has surpassed the ROK in many fields in terms of technology and capital.He expressed hope that in areas such as artificial intelligence and high-tech industries, the two sides would build new, equal partnerships and foster a cooperative economic relationship that benefits both countries.Li Jiacheng, an associate professor at Liaoning University's School of International Studies, said the two leaders' second meeting in such a short time has shown Lee's emphasis on further putting bilateral ties back on the right track after a stagnation under the previous government, while achieving new progress.Lee, who is accompanied by a large business delegation, expects to expand, deepen and upgrade bilateral trade cooperation, especially at a time when the two countries are set to advance the second phase of negotiations on their free trade agreement to achieve closer economic ties, he added.Wang Junsheng, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' National Institute of International Strategy, said the top priority for Lee's administration is to promote domestic economic growth, which makes closer cooperation with China more essential.Deep integration across industrial and supply chains has formed a close bond between the two economies, which highlights the resilience and potential of China-ROK economic and trade relations, Wang said.Only by adhering to rationality and pragmatism can the two countries promote the sound and stable development of their relationship, he added.

Ep 158英语新闻丨中国强烈谴责美国对委内瑞拉发动袭击
China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the United States blatant use of force against a sovereign state and action against its president, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Saturday following US military strikes against Venezuela.外交部发言人于周六就美国对委内瑞拉发动军事袭击一事表示,中方对美国公然对主权国家动武并针对该国总统的行径深感震惊,予以强烈谴责。"Such hegemonic acts of the US seriously violate international law and Venezuela's sovereignty, and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region. China firmly opposes it," the spokesperson said.发言人指出:“美国的此类霸权行径严重违反国际法和委内瑞拉国家主权,威胁拉丁美洲及加勒比地区的和平与安全。中方对此坚决反对。”The spokesperson called on the US to abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, and stop violating other countries' sovereignty and security.发言人呼吁美方遵守国际法以及《联合国宪章》的宗旨和原则,停止侵犯他国主权和安全。According to reports, US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the US had "successfully" carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela, and said its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, along with his wife, had been taken and "flown out of the country".据报道,美国总统唐纳德・特朗普在 “真实社交” 平台发文称,美国已 “成功” 对委内瑞拉实施大规模袭击,并表示委内瑞拉领导人尼古拉斯・马杜罗总统及其夫人已被带走。hegemonic acts – 霸权行径international law – 国际法sovereignty – 国家主权

Ep 159英语新闻丨Trump says US will take temporary control of Venezuela
The United States will take interim control of Venezuela after capturing President Nicolas Maduro and does not rule out deploying US troops on the ground, US President Donald Trump said on Saturday, as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned the US strikes set "a dangerous precedent"."We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition," Trump said during a news conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, hours after a US overnight attack on the South American country.A US occupation "won't cost us a anything" because the United States would be reimbursed from the "money coming out of the ground", Trump said, referring to Venezuela's oil reserves. Trump said American energy companies would rebuild Venezuela's broken infrastructure under US supervision.The president also said that the military operation against Maduro was not necessarily over, warning that the US stood ready to escalate if required."We are ready to stage a second and much larger attack if we need to do so," Trump said, although he added that the initial operation was so successful that "we probably don't have to do a second."He also said that US troops could remain on the ground in Venezuela during the interim period."We're not afraid of boots on the ground if we have to have [them]," he said, pointing out that American forces had already operated inside the country. "We had boots on the ground last night at a very high level," he added.Guterres is "deeply alarmed" by US military action in Venezuela that sets "a dangerous precedent", his spokesperson said on Saturday."These developments constitute a dangerous precedent," Guterres' spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement. "The secretary-general continues to emphasize the importance of full respect — by all — of international law, including the UN Charter. He's deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected."Moments after Trump announced the US would run the South American country until a "safe" transition was completed, Spain said it will not "recognize an intervention that violates international law and pushes the region toward a horizon of uncertainty and belligerence," Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote on X.Venezuela and Colombia have asked the 15-member Security Council to meet, diplomats said, though the meeting had not yet been scheduled, Reuters reported.In a letter to the Security Council on Saturday, Venezuela's UN Ambassador Samuel Moncada described the operation as a "deadly and treacherous US military attack" against "a country that is at peace," warning it "has serious implications for regional and international peace and security."He said the US had violated the founding UN Charter, citing its provision that "All members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state."In a separate letter to the Security Council's January president, Venezuela's Permanent Mission to the United Nations condemned what it called "brutal, unjustified and unilateral" US armed attacks.The mission said that US forces bombed "civilian and military sites" in Caracas and other locations and called the operation "a flagrant act of aggression" that violated the UN Charter.Countries that criticized US strike mainly focused on the UN Charter's prohibition on the use of force and urged de-escalation.China said it was "deeply shocked and strongly condemns the use of force by the US against a sovereign country and the use of force against the president of a country.""Such hegemonic acts of the US seriously violate international law and Venezuela's sovereignty, and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region. China firmly opposes it," a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said.The spokesperson urged Washington to abide by international law, and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and stop violating other countries' sovereignty and security.Russia strongly urged the US leadership to release Maduro and his wife, the Russian foreign ministry said on Saturday.In a statement, the ministry called on Washington to reconsider its position regarding the couple.The statement also stressed the need to create conditions for resolving any existing issues between the United States and Venezuela through dialogue.France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said, "The military operation that led to the capture of Nicolas Maduro violates the principle of not resorting to force, that underpins international law".He added that "no lasting political solution can be imposed from the outside" and "only sovereign people themselves can decide their future".A leading international-law expert at Chatham House said that the US rationale collided with the UN Charter's baseline prohibition on the use of force."International law prohibits the use of force as a means of national policy,"

Ep 160A Letter to Us in the New Year
In this episode, we explore the psychological significance of the New Year—not just as a calendar change, but as a moment to pause, reflect, and reset. The discussion unpacks the exhaustion and relentless pressure of modern life, highlighting how constant acceleration, hyper-productivity, and information overload drain human energy and make even rest feel like another task.Drawing on research and practical insights, this episode introduces three sustainable principles—steady, clear, and slow—as alternatives to a culture obsessed with speed. Listeners will learn how to build resilience, reduce mental clutter, and reclaim focus in everyday life. Through concrete strategies, such as prioritizing consistency over intensity, reserving blocks of uninterrupted time, managing tools effectively, and practicing low-stimulation living, the episode demonstrates how to protect mental well-being while navigating complex environments.With thoughtful dialogue and actionable guidance, this episode encourages listeners to approach the New Year with self-compassion, intentionality, and a focus on internal rhythm rather than external performance. Tune in to discover how to move forward clearly, steadily, and at a pace that nurtures sustainable growth and well-being.

Ep 161英语新闻丨 Chinese President Xi Jinping's 2026 New Year message
Greetings to all! Year after year, life opens a fresh chapter. As the new year begins, I extend my best wishes to you from Beijing!The year 2025 marks the completion of China's 14th Five-Year Plan for economic and social development. Over the past five years, we have pressed ahead with enterprise and fortitude, and overcome many difficulties and challenges. We met the targets in the Plan and made solid advances on the new journey of Chinese modernization. Our economic output has crossed thresholds one after another, and it is expected to reach RMB 140 trillion yuan this year. Our economic strength, scientific and technological abilities, defense capabilities, and composite national strength all reached new heights. Clear waters and lush mountains have become a salient feature of our landscape. Our people enjoy a growing sense of gain, happiness and security. The past five years have been a truly remarkable journey, and our accomplishments have not come easily. Your unwavering hard work has made our nation thrive and prosper. I salute you all for your exceptional diligence and invaluable contributions.This year is full of indelible memories. We solemnly commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and established the Taiwan Recovery Day. These grand national events were majestic and powerful, and the glory of victory will shine through the pages of history. They are inspiring all the sons and daughters of the Chinese nation to remember history, honor fallen heroes, cherish peace, and create a better future. They are rallying a mighty force for the great rejuvenation of our nation.We sought to energize high-quality development through innovation. We integrated science and technology deeply with industries, and made a stream of new innovations. Many large AI models have been competing in a race to the top, and breakthroughs have been achieved in the research and development of our own chips. All this has turned China into one of the economies with the fastest growing innovation capabilities. The Tianwen 2 probe began its star-chasing journey to explore asteroids and comets. Construction of the hydropower project at the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River started. China's first aircraft carrier equipped with an electromagnetic catapult system was officially commissioned. Humanoid robots did kung fu kicks, and drones performed spectacular light shows. Inventions and innovations have boosted new quality productive forces and added colorful dimensions to our lives.We endeavored to nurture our spiritual home with cultural development. There was a surging public interest in cultural relics, museums, and intangible cultural heritage. A new Chinese cultural site was added to the World Heritage List. Cultural IPs such as Wukong and Nezha became global hits. The younger generation came to deem classic Chinese culture as the finest form of aesthetic expression. The cultural and tourism sectors thrived. The "super league" football games in our cities and villages attracted numerous fans. Ice and snow sports ignited people's passion for the winter season. Tradition is now embracing modernity, and the Chinese culture is shining in even greater splendor.We joined hands to build a better life and enjoyed it together. I attended celebrations in Xizang and Xinjiang. From the snow-covered plateau to both sides of the Tianshan Mountains, people of various ethnic groups are united as one, like seeds of a pomegranate sticking together. With white khatas and passionate singing and dancing, they expressed their love of the motherland and the happiness they enjoy. No issue of the people is too small; we care for every leaf and tend every branch in the garden of people's well-being. Over the past year, the rights and interests of the workforce in new forms of employment have been better protected, facilities have been upgraded to bring more convenience to the elderly, and each family with childcare needs has received a subsidy of RMB 300 yuan per month. When the happy hum of daily life fills every home, the big family of our nation will go from strength to strength.We continued to embrace the world with open arms. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin and the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women were very successful; and island-wide special customs operations were launched in the Hainan Free Trade Port. To better address climate change, China announced new Nationally Determined Contributions. After announcing the three global initiatives on development, security, and civilization, I put forward the Global Governance Initiative to promote a more just and equitable global governance system. The world today is undergoing both changes and turbulence, and some regions are still engulfed in war. China always stands on the right side of history, and is ready to work wit

Ep 162英语新闻丨PLA tests joint combat strength for second day
The People's Liberation Army continued its interservice exercise, named "Justice Mission 2025", near Taiwan Island for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, according to the PLA Eastern Theater Command. 周二,中国人民解放军东部战区消息,解放军代号为 “正义使命 - 2025” 的军种间联合演习在台岛周边海域持续进行,演习已进入第二天。Starting early in the morning, destroyers, frigates, fighters and bombers sent by the command conducted drills involving identification, warning and expulsion, strikes on hostile vessels, fleet air defense, and anti-submarine warfare from air and in the waters to the north and south of Taiwan. 当天清晨起,东部战区出动驱逐舰、护卫舰、歼击机、轰炸机等兵力,在台岛南北两侧海空域开展识别查证、警告驱离、对海突击、编队防空、海空联合反潜等课目演练。During the exercise, H-6K bombers simulated precision strikes against designated targets in Taiwan. The operation was intended to test the units' capability of joint operations and regional blockade, the Eastern Theater Command said. 东部战区表示,演习期间,轰 - 6K 轰炸机对台岛指定目标实施了模拟精确打击,此次行动旨在检验部队联合作战和区域封锁能力。On Tuesday afternoon, a flotilla sent by the PLA Southern Theater Command and led by an amphibious assault ship worked with destroyers, frigates and drones of the Eastern Theater Command to conduct drills including rapid landing and the seizure of key ports in the waters to the east of Taiwan. 周二下午,解放军南部战区派出一支以两栖攻击舰为核心的舰艇编队,与东部战区驱逐舰、护卫舰及无人机部队协同配合,在台岛以东海域开展快速登陆、夺取关键港口等课目演练。On the ground, two units equipped with long-range rocket systems executed live-fire drills, covering the waters to the north and south of Taiwan. 地面部队方面,两支远程火箭炮部队在台岛南北方向海域同步开展实弹射击演练。All these operations achieved desired effects, according to the Eastern Theater Command. 东部战区称,各项演练行动均达到预期效果。Zhang Chi, a professor at the PLA National Defense University, said that some "Taiwan independence" separatists have the delusive belief that the PLA will never dare to strike Taiwan, but the fact is the PLA has just been mindful of the ties between Chinese mainland and Taiwan compatriots, and does not want the people of Taiwan to be dragged into war because of separatists. 国防大学教授张弛表示,部分 “台独” 分裂势力妄称解放军不敢对台采取行动,但事实上,解放军始终顾及两岸同胞情谊,不愿让台湾民众因分裂势力的行径卷入战火。However, if "Taiwan independence" separatists dare to cross the red line, or if external forces dare to seriously harm China's core interests, the PLA will "definitely deliver a head-on blow", he added. 他补充道,倘若 “台独” 分裂势力胆敢触碰红线,或外部势力蓄意损害中国核心利益,解放军必将予以迎头痛击。Zhang noted that Taiwan is an island "standing alone in the sea" with scarce resources. "It relies heavily on imports for the vast majority of its energy and food supplies. Once its import routes are cut off, its war potential will plummet rapidly and the island will soon descend into chaos. Therefore, these import shipping lanes constitute the Achilles' heel of the 'Taiwan independence' separatists," he said. 张弛指出,台湾是一座孤悬海外的岛屿,资源禀赋匮乏,其绝大多数能源和粮食供应高度依赖进口。一旦对外运输通道被切断,其战争潜力将迅速枯竭,全岛也将很快陷入混乱。因此,这些海上运输生命线,正是 “台独” 分裂势力的致命软肋。Tuesday's drills demonstrated that the PLA possesses formidable capabilities to cut off the lifeline of energy and resource imports for Taiwan authorities at any time, thereby destroying their separatist agenda, Zhang said. 张弛表示,周二的演练充分证明,解放军具备随时切断台当局能源和资源进口命脉的强大能力,能够彻底粉碎其分裂图谋。"The PLA can strike whenever it chooses to strike, and its firepower package can be delivered right to where the separatists are," he added. 他强调:“解放军想打就打,火力打击范围完全覆盖分裂势力盘踞之地。”He urged the people of Taiwan to draw a clear line with "Taiwan independence" separatists, work together to safeguard national reunification and share in the glory of national rejuvenation. 他呼吁台湾民众与 “台独” 分裂势力划清界限,共同捍卫国家统一,共享民族复兴的荣光。The biggest threats to cross-Strait peace and stability are attempts by external forces to use Taiwan to contain China and the pursuit of "independence" by the island's Democratic Progressive Party authorities with outside support, he said, adding that the two colluding forces are doomed to fail. 他指出,当前破坏台海和平稳定的最大威胁,是外部势力 “以台制华” 的图谋,以及民进党当局挟洋自重、谋 “独” 分裂的行径,这两股沆瀣一气的势力,注定难逃失败的命运。He emphasized that no matter how many weapons are sold to Taiwan, it cannot stop the historical trend that China must — and it will — achieve reunification. 他强调,无论外部势力向台湾出售多少武器,都无法阻挡中国必然统一、也必将统一的历史大势。separatist /ˈseprətɪst/释义:n. 分裂主义者;独立主义者blockade /blɒˈkeɪd/(英式) /blɑːˈkeɪd/(美式)释义:n. 封锁;v. 实行封锁formidable /ˈfɔːmɪdəbl/释义:adj. 强大的;令人敬畏的;难以对付的reunification /ˌriːˌjuːnɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/释义:n. 重新统一;再联合

Ep 163英语新闻丨Xi and Trump hold talks over phone
President Xi Jinping has underlined the need for Beijing and Washington to maintain the momentum of the steady development of bilateral relations to strive for more positive progress, emphasizing that it is important for China and the United States to jointly safeguard the outcomes of the victory in World War II.国家主席习近平强调,中国和美国有必要保持双边关系稳步发展的势头,争取取得更多积极进展,并指出中美共同维护第二次世界大战胜利成果具有重要意义。Xi made the remarks during a telephone conversation with United States President Donald Trump on Monday evening.习近平是在周一晚与美国总统唐纳德·特朗普通电话时作出上述表述的。Xi talked about his meeting with Trump in Busan, Republic of Korea, last month as well as the important consensuses they reached during that meeting, saying that they have recalibrated the course of the giant ship of China-US relations and provided more momentum for it to sail forward steadily, sending a positive signal to the world.习近平谈及上月在韩国釜山同特朗普总统的会晤及双方达成的重要共识,表示此次会晤为中美关系这艘“巨轮”重新校准了航向,为其稳健前行注入了新的动力,并向世界释放了积极信号。He said that since the Busan meeting, China-US relations have generally maintained a steady and positive trajectory, which has been welcomed by both countries as well as the international community.他说,自釜山会晤以来,中美关系总体保持稳定、向好的发展态势,受到两国以及国际社会的普遍欢迎。What has happened demonstrates yet again that the description of China-US cooperation benefiting both sides and confrontation hurting both sides reflects a common sense that has been repeatedly proved by experience, and the vision of China and the US helping each other succeed and prosper together is a tangible prospect within reach, Xi said.习近平表示,事实再次表明,中美合作对双方有利、对抗对双方不利,这一判断是被反复实践证明的常识;中美相互成就、共同繁荣并非遥不可及,而是切实可期的现实前景。He called for both countries to maintain this momentum, adhere to the correct direction, and uphold the attitude of equality, respect and mutual benefit.他呼吁双方保持当前发展势头,坚持正确方向,秉持平等、尊重、互利的态度。Both sides should lengthen the list of cooperation and shorten the list of problems, striving for more positive progress and creating new spaces for cooperation for China-US relations in order to benefit the people of both countries and the world, he added.他补充说,双方应不断拉长合作清单、缩短问题清单,争取取得更多积极成果,为中美关系开辟新的合作空间,更好造福两国人民和世界。Xi reiterated China's principled stance on the Taiwan question, emphasizing that Taiwan's return to China is an important part of the postwar international order.习近平重申了中方在台湾问题上的原则立场,强调台湾回归中国是战后国际秩序的重要组成部分。China and the US once stood together against fascism and militarism, and given what is going on, it is more important for them to jointly safeguard the results of the victory in World War II, he said.他说,中美曾并肩反对法西斯主义和军国主义,鉴于当前形势,双方更有必要共同维护第二次世界大战胜利成果。Trump said that President Xi is a great leader. He noted that he enjoyed the meeting with Xi in Busan and he fully agreed with Xi on his comments about bilateral relations.特朗普表示,习近平主席是一位伟大的领导人。他指出,自己非常享受在釜山与习近平主席的会晤,并完全赞同习近平关于双边关系的相关看法。He said that both sides are comprehensively implementing the important consensuses they reached at the Busan meeting.他说,双方正在全面落实釜山会晤期间达成的重要共识。The US acknowledges the significant role China played in the victory in World War II and understands the importance of the Taiwan question to China, Trump said.特朗普表示,美方承认中国在第二次世界大战胜利中发挥的重要作用,也理解台湾问题对中方的重要性。The two leaders also talked about the Ukraine crisis. Xi emphasized that China supports all efforts that are conducive to peace, and hopes that all parties will continue to narrow their differences to reach a fair, lasting and binding peace agreement to resolve the crisis at its root.两国领导人还就乌克兰危机交换了意见。习近平强调,中方支持一切有利于和平的努力,希望有关各方继续缩小分歧,达成公平、持久、有约束力的和平协议,从根本上解决危机。maintain the momentum /meɪnˈteɪn ðə məˈmentəm/保持势头outcomes of the victory in World War II/ˈaʊtkʌmz əv ðə ˈvɪktəri ɪn ˌwɜːrld wɔːr tuː/二战胜利成果principled stance /ˈprɪnsəpld stæns/原则立场postwar international order/ˌpoʊstˈwɔːr ˌɪntərˈnæʃənl ˈɔːrdər/战后国际秩序fair, lasting and binding peace agreement/fer ˈlæstɪŋ ænd ˈbaɪndɪŋ piːs əˈɡriːmənt/公平、持久、有约束力的和平协议

Ep 164英语新闻丨消费成 “十五五” 规划首要驱动力
China is accelerating its push toward a consumption-led economic model, with policymakers identifying the expansion of domestic demand as the key driver of GDP growth during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), economists and officials said.经济学家和相关官员表示,中国正加快向消费主导型经济模式转型,政策制定者已明确将扩大内需列为 “十五五” 规划时期(2026-2030 年)国内生产总值增长的核心驱动力。Following the tone-setting Central Economic Work Conference, which prioritized domestic demand for 2026, experts noted a strategic transition: China is moving beyond simple volume growth toward "structural optimization". This involves leveraging fiscal tools to boost household incomes and specifically targets the high-growth services sector to buffer against external uncertainties.在为 2026 年经济工作定调、并将扩大内需列为重点任务的中央经济工作会议召开后,专家指出中国正迎来战略转型:经济发展正从单纯的规模增长转向 “结构优化”。这一转型包括运用财政工具提振居民收入,并重点瞄准高增长的服务业,以抵御外部环境的不确定性。An official from the Office of the Central Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs confirmed that Beijing will roll out concrete plans to boost household incomes and raise basic pensions while increasing the supply of high-quality products and services and also removing unreasonable restrictions to fully unlock consumption potential.中央财经委员会办公室的一位官员证实,国家将出台具体方案,在提高居民收入、上调基本养老金的同时,增加优质产品和服务供给,消除不合理限制,以充分释放消费潜力。Experts see this policy stance as a signal for significant growth in specific areas, and express optimism about the long-term potential of China's consumer market.专家认为,这一政策立场预示着部分特定领域将迎来大幅增长,并对中国消费市场的长期潜力持乐观态度。Wang Wei, a senior researcher at the Development Research Center of the State Council, said at a recent forum hosted by China News Service: "China's consumption growth maintains strong momentum and ample potential. Emerging areas such as digital services, green technology and health-related demand are expected to become the primary engines of the consumer market."国务院发展研究中心资深研究员王伟在近期由中国新闻社主办的一场论坛上表示:“中国消费增长势头强劲、潜力充足。数字服务、绿色科技以及健康相关需求等新兴领域,有望成为消费市场的核心增长引擎。”Official data support this structural divergence. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, retail sales of services climbed 5.4 percent year-on-year in the first 11 months of 2025, outpacing the overall retail growth of 4 percent.官方数据印证了这一结构性分化趋势。国家统计局数据显示,2025 年前 11 个月,服务业零售额同比增长 5.4%,增速高于整体零售 4% 的同比增幅。Chen Lifen, a researcher at the DRC, described the current phase as a critical evolution from a goods-dominated model to one that balances goods and services, with a long-term trajectory toward a services-led structure.国务院发展研究中心研究员陈丽芬表示,当前阶段正处于关键转型期,经济模式正从商品主导型转向商品和服务均衡型,长期来看将朝着服务主导型结构迈进。"As income levels rise, demand for services, which typically have high income elasticity, naturally increases its share of total wallet spending," Chen said, adding that with basic needs largely met, the "quality upgrade" is driving capital toward personal development, leisure and smart home ecosystems.陈丽芬指出:“随着居民收入水平提升,收入弹性较高的服务类需求在居民总消费中的占比自然会上升。” 她补充道,在基本需求得到充分满足的背景下,“品质升级” 正推动资本流向个人发展、休闲娱乐以及智能家居生态等领域。The shift is already reshaping corporate investment strategies as companies move to capture these high-quality demand pockets.这一转型已经在重塑企业的投资策略,企业纷纷布局以抢占这些高品质需求市场。Fang Xing, a vice-general manager at Ping An Property & Casualty Insurance, highlighted the surging "pet economy" — now valued at approximately 300 billion yuan ($42.81 billion). With veterinary costs often exceeding 10,000 yuan for major procedures, financial institutions are developing specialized insurance products to hedge these rising household costs.平安产险副总经理方兴特别提到了蓬勃发展的 “宠物经济”,其市场规模目前已达约 3000 亿元人民币(合 428.1 亿美元)。由于宠物重大诊疗项目的费用往往超过 1 万元,金融机构正研发专项保险产品,帮助家庭对冲这类不断上涨的支出。Similarly, in the manufacturing sector, the focus has shifted from scale to efficiency. Guo Yanhu, a director with Gree Electric Appliances, said consumer demand for green energy is driving research and development. He cited Gree's investment in AI-driven energy systems — which has boosted efficiency by over 25 percent — as a direct response to both domestic eco-targets and demand from overseas markets.无独有偶,制造业的发展重心也从规模转向了效率。格力电器董事郭彦虎表示,消费者对绿色能源的需求正驱动企业加大研发投入。他举例称,格力对人工智能驱动能源系统的投资,使能效提升超 25%,这一举措既是对国内生态目标的响应,也是对海外市场需求的直接对接。Economists emphasize that sustaining this momentum requires institutional reforms. Su Jian, a professor at the School of Economics at Peking University, said expanding "high-quality demand" requires a virtuous cycle where new products help cultivate new demand, while cost-reducing innovations allow new demand to scale.经济学家强调,要维持这一增长势头,必须推进制度改革。北京大学经济学院教授苏剑表示,扩大 “高品质需求” 需要形成良性循环:新产品助力培育新需求,而降本创新则为新需求的规模化发展提供支撑。While fiscal and monetary policies are essential to expand demand, Su said expanding high-quality demand depends on developing new quality productive forces through product innovation and process innovation.苏剑指出,尽管财政和货币政策对扩大需求至关重要,但扩大高品质需求的核心在于通过产品创新和工艺创新,培育新质生产力。Luo Zhiheng, chief economist at Yuekai Securities, added that boosting consumption during the 15th Five-Year Plan period is a strategic choice rather than a short-term policy response.粤开证券首席经济学家罗志恒补充道,“十五五” 期间提振消费是一项战略抉择,而

Ep 165英语新闻丨解放军在台湾周边开展训练演习,向“台独”分裂势力发出警告
The People's Liberation Army began to carry out an inter-service exercise surrounding Taiwan Island on Monday, according to a military spokesman.据一名军方发言人介绍,人民解放军于周一开始在台湾岛周边开展多军兵种联合演习。Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesman for the PLA Eastern Theater Command, said on Monday morning that his command has launched the "Justice Mission 2025" exercise, which involves its ground, air, naval, missile, and other forces.解放军东部战区新闻发言人施毅大校周一上午表示,战区已启动代号为“正义使命—2025”的演习,参演力量包括陆军、空军、海军、火箭军等多种兵力。"The operation includes air and sea patrols, suppression of hostile forces, blockade of critical ports and zones, and battlefield periphery deterrence, and is intended to test our forces' joint combat capabilities," he said.他说,此次行动涵盖空中与海上巡逻、压制敌对力量、封锁关键港口和区域以及战场周边慑控,旨在检验部队的联合作战能力。Aircraft and warships will conduct exercises near the Taiwan Island from multiple directions while units from different PLA branches will simulate joint strikes, the spokesman noted, adding that these moves will examine the troops' capabilities in rapid, all-dimensional deployment and omnidirectional blockade and control.发言人指出,解放军航空兵和海军舰艇将从多个方向在台湾岛附近开展演练,不同军兵种部队将模拟实施联合打击,这些行动将检验部队快速、全维度部署以及全方位封锁与控制能力。Shi stressed that this is a stern warning against "Taiwan independence" separatists and external forces attempting to interfere in the Taiwan question and is a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China's sovereignty and national unity.施毅强调,此举是对“台独”分裂势力及企图干涉台湾问题的外部势力发出的严正警告,是维护国家主权和国家统一的正当且必要行动。His command also published a themed poster titled "Shield of Justice, Smashing Illusion".其所在战区还发布了主题海报《正义之盾,粉碎幻象》。The latest military action comes in the wake of the United States' announcement earlier this month about its large-scale arms sale package planned for Taiwan that totals $11.1 billion.此次最新军事行动是在美国本月早些时候宣布拟向台湾地区出售总额达111亿美元的大规模武器装备计划之后采取的。The plan was unveiled on Wednesday, covering eight items, including HIMARS rocket systems, howitzers, Javelin anti-tank missiles, Altius loitering munition drones, and parts for other equipment.该计划于周三公布,涵盖八个项目,包括“海马斯”火箭系统、榴弹炮、“标枪”反坦克导弹、“阿尔蒂乌斯”巡飞弹无人机以及其他装备的相关零部件。The Chinese government said the move has seriously violated the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, interfered in China's internal affairs, and undermined China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.中国政府表示,此举严重违反一个中国原则和中美三个联合公报,粗暴干涉中国内政,损害中国的主权和领土完整。It has announced countermeasures against some US companies and executives involved in the arms sale plan.中方已宣布对参与该军售计划的部分美国企业及其高管采取反制措施。inter-service exercise /ˌɪntərˈsɜːrvɪs ˈeksərsaɪz/多军兵种联合演习Eastern Theater Command /ˈiːstərn ˈθɪətər kəˈmænd/东部战区joint combat capabilities /dʒɔɪnt ˈkɑːmbæt ˌkeɪpəˈbɪlɪtiz/联合作战能力large-scale arms sale package/ˈlɑːrdʒ skeɪl ɑːrmz seɪl ˈpækɪdʒ/大规模军售方案countermeasures /ˈkaʊntərˌmeʒərz/反制措施

Ep 166英语新闻丨台湾立法机构表决通过弹劾赖清德动议
The impeachment proposal against Taiwan leader, Lai Ching-te, initiated by the island's opposition lawmakers from the Chinese Kuomintang and Taiwan People's Party, was approved by Taiwan's "legislative yuan" on Friday, allowing the case to proceed.由中国国民党和台湾民众党反对派“立委”发起、针对台湾地区领导人赖清德的弹劾提案,于周五在台湾“立法院”获得通过,相关程序得以继续推进。The impeachment motion passed with 60 votes in favor and 51 against, surpassing the majority threshold in the "legislative yuan". The final roll-call vote on the impeachment is scheduled for May 19, following a series of public hearings and review meetings.该弹劾动议以60票赞成、51票反对获得通过,超过“立法院”所需的简单多数门槛。根据安排,在一系列公开听证和审查会议之后,最终的记名投票将于5月19日举行。Lawmakers from the KMT and TPP announced a plan to impeach Lai at a joint news conference in Taipei on Dec 19, after the Lai administration on Dec 15 refused to promulgate an amendment to the government revenue allocation plan that had been enacted by the island's "legislature".在赖清德当局于12月15日拒绝公布此前已由台湾“立法机构”通过的政府财政收入分配方案修正案后,国民党和民众党“立委”于12月19日在台北联合记者会上宣布将对赖清德发起弹劾。The amendment, revised by the opposition parties, would have allocated a larger share of government revenue to local governments. The Lai administration's refusal marked the first time a Taiwan leader has failed to enact a law passed by the "legislature".该修正案由反对党修订,旨在将更多政府财政收入分配给地方政府。赖清德当局的拒绝行为,标志着台湾地区领导人首次未能施行由“立法机构”通过的法律。According to the impeachment schedule, the island's "legislative body" will hold public hearings on Jan 14 and 15, followed by review meetings on Jan 21 and 22, as well as May 13 and 14, during which Lai will be required to answer questions from legislative representatives.根据弹劾程序安排,台湾“立法机构”将于1月14日至15日举行公开听证会,并于1月21日至22日以及5月13日至14日召开审查会议,期间赖清德需接受“立委”质询。On Wednesday, Peng Qing'en, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, criticized Lai's actions at a regular news conference in Beijing, saying that they run counter to the public will and have eroded the support of the people in Taiwan."周三,国务院台办发言人彭清恩在北京举行的例行记者会上批评赖清德的相关行为,指出其违背民意,削弱了台湾民众的支持。Lai has stubbornly adhered to a 'Taiwan independence' stance, repeatedly undermining democracy and freedom, abusing the judicial system to suppress political opponents, engaging in 'green terror' and creating a 'chilling effect'," Peng said.彭清恩表示,赖清德顽固坚持“台独”立场,反复破坏民主与自由,滥用司法体系打压政治对手,制造“绿色恐怖”,形成“寒蝉效应”。He further condemned the Lai administration for disregarding the welfare of the people in Taiwan for political gain, as well as manipulating and provoking political strife for personal political gain, which has led to strong public opposition.他进一步谴责赖清德当局为谋取政治私利而无视台湾民众福祉,操弄并激化政治对立,已引发社会强烈反弹。At the same time, the online petition to "impeach Lai", launched in Taiwan on Dec 18, has reportedly surpassed 8 million signatures, according to media reports.与此同时,据媒体报道,12月18日在台湾发起的“弹劾赖清德”网络联署,签名人数已突破800万。Tsai Cheng-yuan, a former lawmaker and a political commentator in Taiwan, said, "Lai spends all his time focusing on 'Taiwan independence', without considering Taiwan's economic development or social harmony."台湾前“立委”、政治评论员蔡正元表示,赖清德将全部精力用于推动“台独”,却未顾及台湾的经济发展与社会和谐。An impeachment motion against the leader or deputy leader of the Taiwan authorities must first be proposed by at least half of the total lawmakers and approved by a two-thirds majority before being submitted to the judicial body for review.针对台湾当局领导人或副领导人的弹劾案,须由至少半数“立委”联署提出,并经三分之二多数通过后,方可提交司法机关审查。Currently, the "legislative yuan" has 113 representatives, including 52 from the KMT, 51 from Lai's Democratic Progressive Party, eight from the TPP and two independents.目前,台湾“立法院”共有113名“立委”,其中包括国民党52席、赖清德所属民进党51席、民众党8席以及2名无党籍人士。roll-call vote /ˈrəʊl kɔːl vəʊt/记名投票promulgate /ˈprɒməlɡeɪt/颁布,公布government revenue allocation /ˈɡʌvənmənt ˈrevənjuː ˌæləˈkeɪʃn/政府财政收入分配public hearing /ˈpʌblɪk ˈhɪərɪŋ/公开听证会chilling effect /ˈtʃɪlɪŋ ɪˈfekt/寒蝉效应

Ep 167英语新闻丨特朗普称与泽连斯基会谈后“距离乌克兰和平协议更近一步”
US President Donald Trump said Sunday that he thinks "we're getting a lot closer, maybe very close" to a peace deal to end the Ukraine crisis after his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Florida.美国总统唐纳德·特朗普周日表示,在佛罗里达州与乌克兰总统弗拉基米尔·泽连斯基会谈后,他认为“我们已经接近得多了,甚至可能非常接近”达成一项结束乌克兰危机的和平协议。The two presidents spoke with European leaders, including leaders of NATO and the European Union, during the course of their meeting, Trump told reporters at a joint press conference with Zelensky.特朗普在与泽连斯基举行的联合记者会上向记者表示,两位总统在会谈期间还同欧洲领导人进行了沟通,其中包括北约和欧盟的领导人。Trump said that about 95 percent of the terms of the peace plan have been agreed upon by parties involved, though "one or two very thorny issues" still remain.特朗普称,和平方案中约95%的条款已获得有关各方一致同意,但仍存在“一两个非常棘手的问题”。Zelensky said the United States, Europe and Ukraine have almost 100 percent agreed on security guarantees for Ukraine.泽连斯基表示,美国、欧洲与乌克兰在为乌克兰提供安全保障问题上几乎达成了百分之百的一致。"We discussed all the aspects of the peace framework," said Zelensky.泽连斯基表示:“我们讨论了和平框架的所有方面。”peace deal /piːs diːl/和平协议joint press conference /dʒɔɪnt pres ˈkɒnfərəns/联合记者会terms of the peace plan /tɜːmz əv ðə piːs plæn/和平方案条款peace framework /piːs ˈfreɪmwɜːk/和平框架

Ep 168英语新闻丨Grassroots soccer captivates fans

Ep 169英语新闻丨中央强调加强党的作风建设
Discipline inspection and supervision bodies are urged to advance full and rigorous Party self-governance with higher standards and more effective measures, to provide a strong guarantee for economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period, according to a key Communist Party of China leadership meeting on Thursday.据周四召开的中国共产党重要领导会议要求,纪检监察机关要以更高标准、更有力举措推进全面从严治党,为“十五五”时期(2026—2030年)经济社会发展提供坚强保障。The meeting was convened by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to discuss and plan the Party's efforts to improve conduct, build integrity and combat corruption for the next year. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting.会议由中共中央政治局召开,研究部署明年党的作风建设、廉政建设和反腐败工作。中共中央总书记习近平主持会议。The meeting acknowledged that in 2025, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Xi at its core, discipline inspection and supervision authorities at all levels intensified their efforts to improve conduct, build integrity and combat corruption, maintaining a tough stance against corruption.会议指出,2025年,在以习近平同志为核心的党中央坚强领导下,各级纪检监察机关持续加大作风建设、廉政建设和反腐败斗争力度,始终保持反腐高压态势。Emphasis was placed on reinforcing political oversight, thoroughly studying and implementing the guiding principles of the CPC Central Committee's eight-point decision on improving Party and government conduct, decisively fighting corruption and undesirable work styles, rectifying misconduct affecting the public, and completing inspections across all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, the meeting said, noting that new progress and results have been achieved in the high-quality development of discipline inspection and supervision work.会议强调,要强化政治监督,深入学习贯彻中央八项规定精神,坚决纠治腐败和不正之风,持续整治群众身边的不正之风和腐败问题,完成对所有省、自治区、直辖市的巡视工作。会议指出,纪检监察工作高质量发展取得新的进展和成效。Looking ahead to 2026, the meeting stressed the need for all levels of disciplinary inspection and supervision bodies to uphold stricter standards and adopt more effective measures in advancing full and rigorous Party self-governance.展望2026年,会议强调,各级纪检监察机关要坚持更严标准、采取更实举措,持续推进全面从严治党。Key tasks include deepening political oversight to ensure the fulfillment of the objectives of the 15th Five-Year Plan, and prompting leading Party officials to foster and practice a correct attitude toward performance in their work and faithfully implement major decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee, the meeting said.会议指出,重点任务包括深化政治监督,保障“十五五”规划目标任务落实,引导各级领导干部树立和践行正确政绩观,确保党中央重大决策部署不折不扣贯彻落实。The meeting emphasized the need to consolidate and expand the achievements in Party-wide education on the eight-point decision on improving conduct, intensify efforts to battle misconduct and corruption affecting the public, and restrain power in an institutional cage. It reiterated the Party's firm commitment to combating corruption, and urged integrated deterrence measures to ensure that Party officials do not have the audacity, opportunity or desire to engage in corruption.会议强调,要巩固拓展全党深入贯彻中央八项规定精神学习教育成果,持续加大整治群众身边不正之风和腐败问题力度,把权力关进制度的笼子里。会议重申了党坚定不移反腐败的决心,要求综合运用惩治震慑、制度约束和思想教育等手段,确保党员干部不敢腐、不能腐、不想腐。The meeting also called for strengthening the strict management and supervision of the disciplinary inspection forces to cultivate a capable disciplinary and supervisory team.会议还指出,要加强对纪检监察队伍的严格管理和监督,打造一支忠诚干净担当、敢于善于斗争的纪检监察铁军。Prior to the meeting, Xi presided over a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, during which reports were heard on the work of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision for 2025, as well as preparations for the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.会议召开前,习近平主持召开中共中央政治局常委会会议,听取了中央纪委国家监委2025年工作情况和二十届中央纪委五次全会筹备情况的汇报。The session is scheduled for Jan 12 to 14.会议定于1月12日至14日召开。discipline inspection and supervision/ˈdɪsɪplɪn ɪnˈspekʃən ænd ˌsuːpəˈvɪʒən/纪检监察full and rigorous Party self-governance/fʊl ænd ˈrɪɡərəs ˈpɑːti ˌself ˈɡʌvənəns/全面从严治党Party conduct/ˈpɑːti ˈkɒndʌkt/党的作风combat corruption/ˈkɒmbæt kəˈrʌpʃən/反腐败correct attitude toward performance/kəˈrekt ˈætɪtjuːd təˈwɔːdz pəˈfɔːməns/正确政绩观integrated deterrence measures/ˈɪntɪɡreɪtɪd dɪˈterəns ˈmeʒəz/一体化惩治震慑措施Standing Committee/ˈstændɪŋ kəˈmɪti/常委会

Ep 170英语新闻丨美国防务政策法案加剧台海紧张局势
China criticized the latest United States National Defense Authorization Act on Thursday, saying it blatantly interferes in China's internal affairs and sends a seriously wrong signal to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.中国周四批评美国最新通过的《国防授权法案》,称该法案公然干涉中国内政,并向“台独”分裂势力释放出严重错误的信号。Zhang Xiaogang, spokesman for China's Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks at a news conference in response to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, which was signed last week by US President Donald Trump.中国国防部新闻发言人张晓刚是在新闻发布会上就2026财年《国防授权法案》作出上述表态的。该法案已于上周由美国总统唐纳德·特朗普签署。The act includes multiple provisions related to China and allocates about $1 billion for the so-called "Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative," aimed at enhancing arms sales to China's Taiwan region.该法案包含多项涉华条款,并拨款约10亿美元用于所谓的“台湾安全合作倡议”,旨在加强对中国台湾地区的武器出售。Zhang said the law constitutes blatant interference in China's internal affairs and gravely undermines peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.张晓刚表示,该法案公然干涉中国内政,严重破坏台海地区的和平与稳定。He accused the US of reneging on its commitments by intensifying arms sales to Taiwan, noting that such actions will only embolden "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and push the Taiwan Strait closer to danger and war.他指责美方不断加大对台军售,背弃自身承诺,指出此类行为只会助长“台独”分裂势力的嚣张气焰,将台海局势推向更加危险甚至战争的边缘。Zhang also criticized Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities for "sacrificing the interests of the Taiwan people" and allowing the US to "drain Taiwan dry" in pursuit of its own strategic goals.张晓刚还批评台湾民进党当局“牺牲台湾民众的利益”,纵容美国为实现自身战略目标而“榨干台湾”。"Attempts to use Taiwan to contain China are doomed to fail, and seeking 'independence' through force will only lead to self-destruction," Zhang said.“企图以台制华注定失败,妄图以武谋独只会自取灭亡。”张晓刚说。He urged the US to fully recognize the extreme sensitivity of the Taiwan question, strictly abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, and handle Taiwan-related affairs "as cautiously as possible".他敦促美方充分认识台湾问题的高度敏感性,严格恪守一个中国原则和中美三个联合公报,以“极其谨慎的态度”处理涉台问题。The spokesman urged the US to stop arming Taiwan in any form and to safeguard overall China-US relations and bilateral military ties.这位发言人呼吁美方停止以任何形式武装台湾,切实维护中美关系大局和两国两军关系。Also on Thursday, Xu Dong, spokesperson for the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, expressed strong dissatisfaction with and firm opposition to the newly signed act.同日,全国人大外事委员会发言人许东也对该法案的签署表示强烈不满和坚决反对。Xu said the act continued a long-standing tone of containing China, hyped the so-called "China threat", and constituted blatant interference in China's internal affairs, seriously undermining China's core interests.许东表示,该法案延续了遏制中国的一贯基调,渲染所谓“中国威胁论”,公然干涉中国内政,严重损害中国核心利益。"We hope the US side views China's development and China-US relations objectively and rationally, and works with China to implement the important consensus reached in the meeting between the two countries' heads of state in Busan," Xu said.“我们希望美方客观理性看待中国发展和中美关系,与中方一道落实两国元首在釜山会晤中达成的重要共识。”许东说。"We strongly urge the US to abandon its zero-sum mentality and ideological bias, and to refrain from implementing the China-related negative provisions in the bill," he added.“我们强烈敦促美方摒弃零和思维和意识形态偏见,停止落实法案中涉华的消极条款。”他补充道。He warned that if the US insists on going its own way, China will take resolute measures in accordance with the law to firmly safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests.他警告称,如果美方一意孤行,中方将依法采取坚决措施,坚定维护国家主权、安全和发展利益。During the news conference, defense spokesman Zhang also slammed Taiwan's regional leader Lai Ching-te for what he described as "kowtowing to the US" and recklessly pursuing militarization, calling him "an instigator of war".在新闻发布会上,张晓刚还抨击台湾地区领导人赖清德“对美卑躬屈膝”,肆意推进军事化,称其为“战争的煽动者”。Lai recently told the media that Taiwan must pursue "peace through strength" and reaffirmed what he called a "rock-solid" relationship with the US, alongside plans to push forward a $40 billion arms procurement.赖清德近日对媒体表示,台湾必须追求“以实力谋和平”,并重申其所谓与美国“坚如磐石”的关系,同时计划推进一项400亿美元的军购计划。Zhang said Taiwan's DPP authorities are colluding with external forces in a bid to pursue "Taiwan independence", which he called the root cause of rising tensions across the Taiwan Strait.张晓刚表示,台湾民进党当局勾连外部势力,企图推动“台独”,这是当前台海紧张局势上升的根本原因。"Lai's unprincipled submission to the US and his reckless pursuit of militarization have turned him into nothing more than a pure destroyer of peace and an instigator of war," Zhang said.“赖清德毫无原则地向美国屈服、肆意推进军事化,使其沦为纯粹的和平破坏者和战争煽动者。”张晓刚说。"Lai now has the audacity to talk about 'peace' while arrogantly boasting about 'strength', a stance that is both delusional and self-deceiving," the spokesman added.这位发言人补充说:“赖清德一边狂妄鼓吹所谓‘实力’,一边却空谈‘和平’,这种立场既荒谬又自欺欺人。”"The trend toward national reunification is unstoppable," Zhang said. "Those who betray the nation and seek to split the country will ultimately be condemned by history."“国家统一的大势不可阻挡。”张晓刚说,“背叛民族、分裂国家的人终将被历史所唾弃。”blatantly interfere in/ˈbleɪtəntli ˌɪntəˈfɪə(r) ɪn/公然干涉reneg(e) on comm

Ep 171英语新闻丨New Year holiday to bring peak in travel
Eagerly awaiting the upcoming New Year's Day holiday, Wang Xiaohui, 32, has planned a trip to Harbin — a traditional winter tourism destination and the capital of Heilongjiang province — for the three-day break starting on Jan 1. Wang will ring in the New Year amid the city's dreamlike snowy vistas.32岁的王晓慧正满怀期待地迎接即将到来的元旦假期,她计划在1月1日开始的三天假期里前往哈尔滨——这一传统的冬季旅游目的地,也是黑龙江省省会。她将在这座城市如梦似幻的雪景中迎接新年的到来。"I used to spend New Year's Eve in Beijing with my family, eating dumplings, but this year I'll spend it with three friends," she said.她说:“以前我都是和家人在北京一起过除夕、吃饺子,但今年我会和三位朋友一起度过。”She had planned to see in the New Year at Harbin Ice and Snow World, one of China's top snow-themed parks, but was unable to get tickets.她原本计划在中国顶级冰雪主题乐园之一——哈尔滨冰雪大世界迎接新年,但未能买到门票。Travel agencies have forecast significant growth in both domestic and outbound tourism during the three-day holiday. Within the country, colder regions with abundant snow and regions with milder climates are competing for travelers.多家旅行机构预测,在为期三天的假期中,国内游和出境游均将实现显著增长。在国内市场,冰雪资源丰富的寒冷地区与气候相对温和的地区正共同争夺游客。Qi Chunguang, vice-president of travel portal Tuniu, said, "In the past 10 days, searches for 'New Year' tour products on our platform have doubled compared with the previous 10 days, and searches for 'New Year's Eve countdown' have grown by over 50 percent."旅游网站途牛副总裁齐春光表示:“过去10天,我们平台上‘元旦’旅游产品的搜索量较此前10天翻了一番,‘跨年倒计时’相关搜索量增长超过50%。”Qi noted the soaring popularity of snow destinations like Harbin and predicted that a travel peak in the winter tourism market would occur during the New Year's Day holiday. This is supported by data from Tujia, a domestic homestay booking platform, which reported that Harbin currently leads in holiday bookings.齐春光指出,哈尔滨等冰雪旅游目的地热度持续攀升,并预计元旦假期将迎来冬季旅游市场的出行高峰。国内民宿预订平台途家提供的数据也印证了这一判断,目前哈尔滨在假期预订量中位居前列。"Warmer places like Quanzhou in Fujian province and Libo in Guizhou province are also popular, with searches increasing by three to five times in the past 10 days," he said.他说:“福建泉州、贵州荔波等气候较为温暖的地区同样受到欢迎,过去10天相关搜索量增长了三到五倍。”Li Ailing, from Beijing, has booked a three-day trip to Quanzhou with her husband.来自北京的李爱玲已与丈夫预订了一次为期三天的泉州之行。"Beijing is too cold in winter, so we want to go to a warmer place with beautiful sea views," Li said. "My husband visited Quanzhou last year, and highly recommended it for its delicious food and distinct culture."李爱玲表示:“北京冬天太冷了,所以我们想去一个温暖、还能看到海景的地方。我丈夫去年去过泉州,他非常推荐那里,觉得美食丰富、文化特色鲜明。”Li said that they plan to leave on Dec 31, a day before the holiday period starts, to avoid the traffic rush.李爱玲说,他们计划在12月31日、即假期开始前一天出发,以避开交通高峰。The outbound tourism market is also expected to boom over the holiday. Online travel agency Qunar forecasts its first travel peak on Saturday. Popular destinations include South Korea, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam, with South Korea seeing the fastest growth in bookings due to lower flight prices.元旦假期期间,出境游市场也有望迎来增长。在线旅游平台去哪儿网预测,其首个出行高峰将出现在周六。热门目的地包括韩国、泰国、新加坡和越南,其中韩国因机票价格较低,预订量增长最快。Qunar noted that some tourists are extending their trips by taking extra paid vacation days to visit more distant destinations such as Egypt and Spain. "New Zealand is also popular among those extending their breaks because it's midsummer there. We've seen flight bookings to New Zealand increase by 1.1 times on our platform," it added.去哪儿网指出,一些游客通过额外请带薪年假,将行程延长,前往埃及、西班牙等较远的目的地。该平台补充称:“新西兰也受到延长假期游客的青睐,因为当地正值盛夏。我们平台上飞往新西兰的机票预订量增长了1.1倍。”snow-themed park/snəʊ θiːmd pɑːk/冰雪主题乐园homestay booking platform/ˈhəʊmsteɪ ˈbʊkɪŋ ˈplætfɔːm/民宿预订平台traffic rush/ˈtræfɪk rʌʃ/交通高峰flight bookings/flaɪt ˈbʊkɪŋz/机票预订量paid vacation days/peɪd vəˈkeɪʃən deɪz/带薪休假

Ep 172英语新闻丨New customs ops boost Hainan
The island-wide special customs operations in Hainan province have ignited a tourism and spending surge, which is transforming the free trade port into a new global consumption landmark.海南省全岛实施的特殊海关运作机制引发了旅游与消费的双重增长,正推动海南自由贸易港向全球消费新地标转型。For example, duty-free sales in Sanya exceeded 100 million yuan ($14.2 million) for five consecutive days, said the Sanya Municipal Bureau of Commerce. Specifically, duty-free sales in the city hit 102 million yuan on Monday, following a strong streak that began on Dec 18.例如,三亚市商务局表示,三亚免税销售额已连续五天突破1亿元人民币(约合1420万美元)。具体而言,继12月18日以来的强劲走势之后,三亚周一的免税销售额达到1.02亿元。Analysts attribute the boom to Hainan's evolving trade policies, which are enhancing its appeal as a winter getaway and shopping destination, especially with the New Year and Spring Festival holidays approaching.分析人士将这一增长归因于海南不断优化的贸易政策,这些政策正显著提升其作为冬季度假和购物目的地的吸引力,尤其是在元旦和春节假期临近之际。Travel bookings reflect the strong momentum. Online travel platform Qunar reported a 51 percent year-on-year increase in flight bookings to Sanya for the upcoming New Year holiday, with bookings to Haikou up 19 percent.旅游预订数据反映出这一强劲势头。在线旅游平台去哪儿网数据显示,即将到来的元旦假期期间,飞往三亚的机票预订量同比增长51%,飞往海口的预订量增长19%。International interest is rising sharply. International flight bookings to Haikou for the New Year period jumped over 40 percent, while Spring Festival bookings more than doubled. Travelers from Russia, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, South Korea and Thailand are leading the surge, signaling Hainan's growing resonance as a global vacation hot spot.国际市场兴趣迅速升温。元旦期间飞往海口的国际航班预订量同比增长超过40%,春节期间的国际航班预订量更是翻倍增长。来自俄罗斯、新加坡、澳大利亚、马来西亚、韩国和泰国的游客成为主要增长来源,彰显海南作为全球度假热点的吸引力不断增强。Dev Bagchi, an Indian businessman, told China Daily that: "We came for business purposes, but later discovered Hainan is also a tourism destination. It's fantastic. It's a very good place. I will tell everybody in India to visit here, very nice people, very nice place. The weather is very good, just like Mumbai. You know, people from India, prefer to go to Europe for their holidays and I would like to tell them to come to China and especially come to this place, Hainan."印度商人德夫·巴格奇在接受《中国日报》采访时表示:“我们原本是因商务来到这里,后来发现海南也是一个旅游目的地。这里太棒了,是一个非常好的地方。我会告诉印度的每一个人来这里旅游,这里的人非常友好,地方也非常好。天气很好,就像孟买一样。你知道,印度人通常更喜欢去欧洲度假,而我想告诉他们,可以来中国,尤其是来这里——海南。”Behind such a tourism and spending surge is a policy breakthrough. According to China's Ministry of Finance, the special customs operations have expanded Hainan's zero-tariff product coverage from 21 percent to 74 percent, with tariff-free items jumping from about 1,900 tariff lines to approximately 6,600.旅游与消费热潮的背后,是一项政策性突破。根据中国财政部的数据,特殊海关运作机制已将海南零关税商品覆盖率从21%提升至74%,免税商品由约1900个税目大幅增加至约6600个。"These measures, combined with streamlined customs clearance procedures, solidify Hainan's competitive edge as a low-cost, high-efficiency trade hub," said Gao Ruifeng, head of Haikou customs. "It becomes a key gateway for foreign goods entering the Chinese market."海口海关关长高瑞峰表示:“这些举措与通关流程的简化相结合,进一步巩固了海南作为低成本、高效率贸易枢纽的竞争优势,使其成为境外商品进入中国市场的重要门户。”The policy impact translated into remarkable statistics from day one. According to Haikou customs, on Dec 18, Hainan's offshore duty-free sales skyrocketed to 161 million yuan, involving 24,800 shoppers and 118,000 purchased items. These figures represented staggering year-on-year increases of 61 percent, 53 percent and 25.5 percent, respectively.政策效应自实施首日便转化为亮眼数据。海口海关数据显示,12月18日当天,海南离岛免税销售额飙升至1.61亿元,涉及2.48万名消费者和11.8万件商品,同比分别增长61%、53%和25.5%。The epicenter of this commercial explosion was the China Duty Free Group's Sanya International Duty Free Shopping Complex. Anchored in a deep integration of "duty-free shopping plus culture and tourism", the mall launched a grand promotional campaign for the occasion, including giving away shopping vouchers. It also specially curated an exclusive VIP salon for foreign visitors, a strategic move designed to transform abstract policy dividends into tangible, experiential benefits and to craft a diversified, immersive new shopping scenario for foreign tourists.此次消费热潮的核心区域是中国免税集团旗下的三亚国际免税购物城。依托“免税购物+文化旅游”的深度融合,该商场推出了大型促销活动,包括发放购物代金券,并专门为外籍游客打造了专属VIP沙龙。这一战略举措旨在将抽象的政策红利转化为可感知、可体验的实际收益,为外国游客营造多元化、沉浸式的全新消费场景。The result was a comprehensive eruption of market vitality. Data revealed that on Dec 18, customer traffic at the complex exceeded 36,000, a surge of over 60 percent year-on-year, while sales revenue soared by an impressive 85 percent. These standout figures served as a potent testament to the vigorous kinetic energy unleashed by Hainan FTP's institutional innovation.其结果是市场活力的全面释放。数据显示,12月18日当天,该购物城客流量超过3.6万人次,同比增长逾60%,销售额同比大幅增长85%。这些亮眼数据有力印证了海南自贸港制度创新所释放出的强劲动能。A spokesperson from the sales department of the duty-free complex said, "To welcome this historic moment of island-wide special customs operations, we began planning and preparing three months in advance, increasing our inventory to create a high-quality shopping experience for domestic and foreign travelers."该免税购物城销售部门的一位负责人表示:“为迎接全岛实施特殊海关运作这一历史性时刻,我们提

Ep 173英语新闻丨School breaks spark a surge in bookings for winter holiday tours
Several travel agencies have reported a significant hike in winter vacation tour bookings after schools and universities across China recently announced their winter holiday schedules. Industry insiders said domestic destinations with milder climates and overseas scenic spots are in intense competition to attract winter holiday travelers.多家旅行社表示,随着全国中小学和高校陆续公布寒假安排,冬季度假游预订量显著攀升。业内人士称,气候温和的国内目的地与海外景点正展开激烈竞争,争夺寒假游客资源。Since late November, primary and high schools nationwide, as well as universities, have been releasing their winter holiday plans, with vacation lengths ranging from 25 days to over 40 days.自11月下旬以来,全国中小学及高校陆续公布寒假安排,假期时长从25天到40多天不等。In Shanghai, for instance, primary and high school students will have 25 days off from Feb 2 to 27. In contrast, winter holiday breaks last 43 days in Heilongjiang province in Northeast China, starting in mid-January, as the region experiences earlier and more severe cold weather.例如,上海的小学生和中学生将从2月2日至27日享受25天的假期。相比之下,中国东北的黑龙江省因寒冷天气来得更早且更为严酷,其寒假从1月中旬开始,长达43天。As students' winter vacations will overlap with the Spring Festival holiday—a traditional Chinese period for family reunions falling in mid-February next year—many families are choosing to travel during the first half of their children's winter breaks to avoid travel peaks and potential price hikes for flights and hotel rooms during the Spring Festival holiday period.由于学生寒假将与春节假期重叠——这个中国传统的团圆时节将于明年二月中旬到来——许多家庭选择在孩子寒假的前半段出行,以避开春节期间的出行高峰和机票酒店可能上涨的价格。"I plan to take my son on a week-long winter tour in late January using my paid leave, although we haven't finalized the dates yet," said Wang Li, 39, who works in Beijing." We have two final choices—Hainan in South China and Kunming in Southwest China—both of which enjoy milder climates in winter."39岁的北京上班族王莉(音译)表示:“我计划在一月底用带薪休假带儿子进行为期一周的冬游,不过具体日期尚未敲定。我们有两个最终选择——中国南部的海南和西南部的昆明,这两个地方冬季气候都比较温和。”Wang said she previously sent her son to winter holiday tutoring classes, such as ice hockey and tennis, and scheduled family trips during the Spring Festival holiday. "Those plans cost much more because accommodation and flight prices skyrocketed during Spring Festival. This winter holiday, I want to move the family trip to earlier," she said.王莉(音译)表示表示,她此前曾让儿子参加寒假补习班,比如冰球和网球课程,并在春节假期安排了家庭旅行。她说:“这些计划花费更高,因为春节期间住宿和机票价格飞涨。这个寒假,我想把家庭旅行提前安排。”Wang is not alone. Travel portal Qunar said tour bookings from mid-January—when most students begin their winter school breaks—to the period before the Spring Festival holiday have seen significant growth since late November.王莉(音译)并非个例。旅游门户网站去哪儿网表示,自1月下旬(多数学生开始寒假)至春节假期前的旅游预订量,自11月下旬以来呈现显著增长。Qunar also reported a notable increase in flight ticket bookings for children during that period. Bookings for infants and children aged up to 12 rose by 60.7 percent year-on-year. Domestically, warmer destinations including Zhuhai in Guangdong province, Sanya in Hainan, and Xishuangbanna in Yunnan province have all seen a surge in tourism bookings, the platform said.去哪儿旅游网数据显示,同期儿童机票预订量显著增长,0至12岁婴幼儿及儿童机票预订量同比增长60.7%。该平台指出,国内旅游方面,广东珠海、海南三亚、云南西双版纳等温暖目的地均迎来旅游预订高峰。Overseas destinations such as Thailand and Russia are also popular choices for winter holiday travelers. According to Qunar, Thailand is currently the top overseas destination on its platform, with flight ticket bookings from the Chinese mainland to the country increasing 21 percent from mid-January to the eve of the Spring Festival holiday.泰国和俄罗斯等海外目的地也是冬季度假游客的热门选择。据去哪儿旅游网数据显示,泰国目前在其平台上位居海外目的地榜首,1月中旬至春节假期前夕,中国大陆至泰国的机票预订量同比增长21%。Qi Chunguang, vice-president of travel portal Tuniu, noted a boom in overseas winter holiday tours.途牛旅游网副总裁齐春光指出,海外冬季度假游呈现爆发式增长。"Some long-distance tour products to Australia and New Zealand for the winter holiday have already sold out," Qi said. "Tours to Europe, Dubai and Egypt will see a booking rush this month." He added that tour products to overseas island destinations such as the Maldives are also entering their peak reservation season.齐春光表示:“部分澳大利亚和新西兰的冬季长途旅游产品已售罄,本月欧洲、迪拜和埃及的旅游线路将迎来预订高峰。”他补充道,前往马尔代夫等海外岛屿目的地的旅游产品也正进入预订旺季。Zhou Chenjie, 42, who lives in Shanghai, said she has booked a five-day family trip to Thailand starting Feb 4. "It's my daughter's birthday wish," Zhou said. "Traveling before the Spring Festival holiday is a good deal, as flight tickets and hotel rooms are offered at discounted prices."现居上海的42岁周晨洁(音译)表示,她已预订了2月4日起为期五天的泰国家庭游,她说:“这是女儿的生日愿望。春节前出行很划算,机票和酒店都提供折扣价。”

Ep 174英语新闻丨Efforts intensified to ease business issues
China's efforts to scale up effective investment, with a particular focus on encouraging private sector participation and increasing investment in human capital, will play a key role in boosting domestic demand next year, officials and experts said.政府工作人员和专家表示,中国扩大有效投资的举措,特别是鼓励民营企业参与和增加人力资本投资,将在明年提振内需方面发挥关键作用。The annual Central Economic Work Conference, held earlier this month, emphasized the need to "halt the decline in investment and promote its recovery" amid a complex external environment.本月早些时候召开的年度中央经济工作会议强调,在复杂的外部环境下,必须“遏制投资下滑趋势,促进投资回升”。The government needs to effectively drive investment by making good use of funding sources such as central government budget investments, ultra-long-term special treasury bonds and local government special bonds, Xinhua News Agency quoted an official of the Office of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs as saying.新华社援引中央财经委员会办公室一位政府工作人员的话称,政府需要有效利用中央财政预算投资、超长期国债和地方政府专项债券等资金来源,有效引导投资。"The government will support private firms' participation in major projects in sectors such as railways and nuclear power, and guide private investment toward new fields such as high-tech industries and the service sector," the official said.该工作人员表示:“政府将支持民营企业参与铁路、核电等领域的大型项目,引导民营资本投向高新技术产业、服务业等新兴领域。”The official added that major projects set for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period could be front-loaded where conditions permit.该工作人员补充说道,在条件允许的情况下,原定于第十五个五年计划(2026-2030年)期间实施的重大项目可提前启动。China's fixed-asset investment fell 2.6 percent year-on-year in the first 11 months of the year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.国家统计局数据显示,今年前11个月,中国固定资产投资同比下降2.6%。China has rolled out a series of targeted policies over the past year, including an 800 billion yuan ($113.8 billion) list of key projects to implement major national strategies and strengthen security capacity in key areas, and 500 billion yuan in new policy-based financial tools to supplement project capital.过去一年,中国推出了一系列定向政策,包括8000亿元(1138亿美元)重点项目清单,以落实重大国家战略、强化重点领域安全保障能力,以及5000亿元新增政策性金融工具,用于补充项目资本金。The economic agenda-setting meeting also called for greater investment in physical assets and human capital.经济议程设定会议还呼吁加大对实物资产和人力资本的投资力度。From the country's sprawling highway networks and bullet trains to its forest of urban high-rises, investment in physical assets played a crucial role in its economic growth over the past decades, said Yu Chunhai, executive dean of Renmin University of China's School of Economics.中国人民大学经济学院执行院长于春海指出,从遍布全国的高速公路网络和高铁系统,到城市摩天大楼林立的景象,过去数十年来,实物资产投资在推动中国经济增长方面发挥了关键作用。However, Yu noted that the country'sincremental capital output ratio, which indicates the amount of capital required for every 1 yuan increase in GDP, increased from 2.84 in 2008 to 9.44 in 2023.然而,于春海指出,中国的边际资本产出比(即每增加1元GDP所需投入的资本量)从2008年的2.84上升至2023年的9.44。Meanwhile, facing diminishing returns from the old growth model and a global shift toward talent-centric competition, China is placing a strategic bet on investing in people, analysts said.与此同时,面对传统增长模式回报递减以及全球向人才竞争格局转变的趋势,中国正将战略重心转向人才投资,分析师指出。Investment in human capital refers to inputs that develop people's capabilities and unlock their potential at all stages of life, including childcare, elderly care, health, education and skills training.人力资本投资指在人生各个阶段提升个人能力、释放潜能的投入,包括儿童保育、老年护理、健康保障、教育培养及技能培训。An aging population and rising labor costs are eroding the traditional demographic advantage. By prioritizing investment in human capital, China seeks to build long-term economic competitiveness for innovation-driven, demand-led growth, said Chen Wenling, former chief economist at the China Center for International Economic Exchanges.中国国际经济交流中心前首席经济学家陈文玲指出,老龄化人口和不断上升的劳动力成本正在侵蚀传统的人口红利优势。通过优先投资人力资本,中国致力于构建长期经济竞争力,推动创新驱动、需求引领的增长模式。"A healthier, better-educated and more secure workforce is the most critical infrastructure for the next stage of China's development," Chen said. "Sustained investment in people's capabilities, health and career development doesn't just improve well-being—it directly fuels economic upgrading."陈文玲表示:“更健康、受教育程度更高、更有保障的劳动力队伍,是中国下一阶段发展最关键的基础设施。持续投资于人民的能力、健康和职业发展,不仅能提升福祉,更能直接推动经济升级。”Meanwhile, analysts believe that investing in people could also help unlock the spending power of China's massive population, creating a virtuous cycle in which social investment fuels consumption resilience.与此同时,分析人士认为,投资于人力资本也有助于释放中国庞大人口的消费潜力,从而形成良性循环,社会投资推动消费韧性增强。The enhanced investments in pensions, childcare and healthcare are designed to alleviate theprecautionary savings burdens that constrain household spending, said Luo Zhiheng, chief economist and head of the research institute at Yuekai Securities.粤开证券首席经济学家兼研究院院长罗志恒表示,加大养老、育儿和医疗领域的投资力度,旨在缓解制约家庭支出的预防性储蓄负担。"This approach transforms social spending into a powerful economic driver. A more secure population is likely to spend more freely," Luo said. "The direction aligns with China's broader economic objectives of rebalancing growth toward high-quality domestic demand."罗志恒表示:“这种做法将社会支出转化为强有力的经济驱动力。生活更有保障的人群往往更愿

Ep 175英语新闻丨Animated films top draw at box office
Once believed to be merely a children's favorite, animated films have "grown up", becoming the most commercially successful genre in China and making 2025 the highest-grossing year on record for the category.曾被认为只是儿童最爱的动画电影已然“长大成人”,成为中国最成功的商业类型片,并使2025年创下该类型片票房收入最高纪录。As of Tuesday, propelled recently by Disney's blockbuster Zootopia 2, the box office revenue of animated movies in China has reached 25.06 billion yuan ($3.56 billion), nearly 270 percent higher than in 2024, according to industry tracker Maoyan Pro.据猫眼专业版数据显示,截至周二,在迪士尼爆款动画《疯狂动物城2》的近期推动下,中国动画电影票房收入已达250.6亿元(约合35.6亿美元),较2024年同期增长近270%。Winning over Chinese theatergoers for various reasons — including the new character Gary De'Snake, deliberately released during the Chinese zodiac's Year of the Snake — the sequel to Zootopia 2 ,which was a hit in 2016, has grossed over 3.8 billion yuan since its premiere on Nov 26. The figure has surpassed its North American earnings of $283 million, making China the film's most lucrative market worldwide.《疯狂动物城》续集自11月26日上映以来,累计票房已突破38亿元人民币。这部2016年大热动画的续作凭借多重因素赢得中国观众青睐——包括在蛇年特别推出的新角色“加里·蛇”。该数字已超越其在北美地区2.83亿美元的票房收入,使中国成为该片全球最赚钱的票仓。Zhi Feina, a film researcher at the Chinese National Academy of Arts, said the overwhelming popularity of Zootopia 2 demonstrates the dynamic and huge potential of China's movie market, proving that appealing content — regardless of its cultural background — can always find a large fan base in the country.中国艺术研究院电影研究员支菲娜表示,《疯狂动物城2》的火爆上映充分展现了中国电影市场的蓬勃活力与巨大潜力,证明了具有吸引力的内容,无论其文化背景如何,总能在中国赢得庞大的观众群体。Currently, the biggest contributor to this year's animation box office bonanza is still Ne Zha 2, the runaway hit sequel to the 2019 filmNe Zha, which set the previous record for the genre. Having earned over 15.4 billion yuan on the Chinese mainland, Ne Zha 2 alone has accounted for 30 percent of this year's total box office — including all live-action movies.目前,今年动画票房狂潮的最大贡献者仍是《哪吒之魔童降世2》,这部续作延续了2019年首部《哪吒》创下的动画票房纪录。仅《哪吒之魔童降世2》在中国大陆就斩获154亿元票房,占今年总票房的30%。该数据涵盖所有真人电影。The first Ne Zha film was released in 2019 and earned 5 billion yuan, making that year the highest-grossing ever for animated films, until Ne Zha 2 set the new record.首部《哪吒》电影于2019年上映,创下50亿元票房纪录,使该年成为动画电影票房最高的一年,直到《哪吒之魔童降世2》刷新了这一纪录。Following Ne Zha 2 and Zootopia 2 , the third highest-grossing animated film this year is Nobody, a feature-length spinoff of one episode from the 2023 animated series Yao-Chinese Folktales, produced by Shanghai Animation Film Studio — a pioneer since the late 1950s in introducing unique Chinese animation aesthetics to the world. By reflecting the career stress and dreams of ordinary people, the movie has struck a chord with young audiences, earning 1.719 billion yuan.继《哪吒之魔童降世2》和《疯狂动物城2》之后,今年票房第三高的动画电影是《浪浪山小妖怪》。这部由上海动画电影制片厂出品的长篇动画,改编自2023年动画系列《妖怪故事》中的一个单元故事。自1950年代末以来,该制片厂始终致力于向世界展示独特的中华动画美学。影片通过映射普通人的职场压力与梦想,引发年轻观众共鸣,累计票房达17.19亿元。The fourth highest-grossing animated movie is Boonie Bears: Future Reborn, the 11th installment of the long-running Boonie Bears franchise, which was launched in 2012. Centering on the titular bear siblings' new adventure in a futuristic world, the film earned 821 million yuan.票房第四高的动画电影是《熊出没·重启未来》,这是自2012年推出的长寿动画系列《熊出没》的第十一部作品。影片围绕熊家族兄妹在未来世界的新冒险展开,最终收获8.21亿元票房。Other animated hits include The Legend of Hei 2, centering on a cat demon capable of shape-shifting into a young boy, and Curious Tales of a Temple, adapted from Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) novelist Pu Songling's masterpiece Liaozhai Zhiyi (Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio). The overall ticket revenue from animation has accounted for 49 percent of this year's total box office, according to Maoyan.其他动画热门影片还包括《罗小黑战记2》,讲述了一只能变身为少年男孩的猫妖的故事;以及改编自清代(1644-1911)小说家蒲松龄名著《聊斋志异》的《聊斋奇谭》。据猫眼数据显示,动画电影票房收入占今年总票房的49%。Shen Wei, a concept artist for theNe Zha franchise, said the rise of Chinese animation is built on the progress that domestic animators have made in recent years. "In the past, animated works were thought to attract only young audiences, especially children. But with advances in both storytelling and animation techniques, Chinese animation has really diversified and succeeded in drawing a wider audience," Shen said.《哪吒》系列概念设计师申威表示,中国动画的崛起奠基于国内动画人近年来的进步。他表示:“过去动画作品被认为只吸引年轻观众,尤其是儿童。但随着叙事手法和动画技术的双重进步,中国动画已实现真正多元化,成功吸引了更广泛的受众。”Yuan Yun'er, a Beijing-based film critic, said the infusion of modern values into traditional culture is a key factor behind the success of Chinese animated films this year. Both Ne Zha 2 and Nobody draw inspiration from ancient classics, with the latter loosely inspired by the 16th-century novel Journey to the West.北京影评人袁云儿指出,将现代价值观注入传统文化是今年中国动画电影成功的关键因素。《哪吒之魔童降世2》和《浪浪山小妖怪》均从古代经典中汲取灵感,后者更以十六世纪小说《西游记》为创作蓝本。"It's easy to stir audiences' interest when they already know the settings and characters. They feel a fresh connection when these reimagined stories