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Ep 176英语新闻丨国家文物局工作组已赴南京开展工作

The provincial Party committee and provincial government of Jiangsu have formed an investigation team to investigate issues related to the management and handling of donated cultural relics at the Nanjing Museum, as well as other concerns about the safety of its collections, CCTV reported on Tuesday.据央视周二报道,江苏省省委、省政府已成立调查组,就南京博物馆受赠文物管理处置问题及馆藏文物安全等相关问题展开调查。A celebrated painting from the museum's collection recently surfaced at an auction and generated widespread attention.博物馆馆藏的一幅著名画作近日现身拍卖会,引发了广泛关注。In a statement released on Wednesday, the Nanjing Museum announced that it had initiated an internal review after receiving court documents in November 2024 concerning Pang Shuling's "gift contract dispute" lawsuit.南京博物馆周三发布声明称,该馆于2024年11月收到庞叔令女士“赠礼合同纠纷”诉讼的法院文件后,已启动内部审查程序。The museum said that it had accepted 137 donated paintings from Pang Zenghe, Pang Shuling's father, in January 1959. Five of these works, including those now under dispute, were determined to beforgeries following two appraisals conducted in the early 1960s.南京博物馆表示,1959年1月曾接受庞增和先生(庞叔令之父)捐赠的137幅收藏画作。其中包括现存争议作品在内的五幅画作,经1960年代初两次鉴定后均被认定为赝品。The museum said that it disposed of the five works in the 1990s in accordance with the regulations governing museum collections at that time, adding that it would cooperate with legal proceedings. If any illegal or non-compliant actions are discovered during their disposal, it will work with the relevant authorities for strict legal handling.南京博物馆表示,其在1990年代处置这五件作品时,均遵循当时博物馆藏品管理规定,并承诺将配合司法程序。若在处置过程中发现存在违法违规行为,将协同相关部门依法严厉处理。The governmental investigation team consists of members from the commission for discipline inspection, the supervisory commission, and departments of publicity, political and legal affairs, public security, culture and tourism, and cultural relics.政府调查组由纪律检查委员会、监察委员会以及宣传、政法、公安、文化旅游、文物等部门的成员组成。Following the investigation, any illegal or non-compliant activities will be addressed with strict measures, with no tolerance for misconduct. The results of the investigation and the actions taken will be disclosed to the public.调查结束后,任何违法违规行为都将受到严厉处置,绝不容忍任何不当行为。调查结果及采取的措施将向公众公布。The National Cultural Heritage Administration released a statement on its website on Tuesday, saying that it had formed a working group. The group is already in Nanjing to investigate issues related to the management of cultural relics at the Nanjing Museum.国家文物局周二在其官网发布公告称,已成立专项工作组,该工作组已赴南京对南京博物馆文物管理相关问题展开调查。forgeryn./ˈfɔːr.dʒɚ.i/赝品

Dec 24, 20252 min

Ep 177英语新闻丨新出行计划被誉为“里程碑”

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region opened its urban roads to the first group of private cars from Guangdong province under a new cross-border travel program on Tuesday, in a move that officials and Chinese mainland drivers have hailed as a milestone for regional integration.周二,香港特别行政区在一项新的跨境出行计划下,首次向来自广东省的私家车开放市区道路。官员和内地司机纷纷将这一举措誉为区域一体化的“里程碑”。The Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles program allows approved private car owners from Guangdong with confirmed travel bookings to drive into Hong Kong's urban areas via the Zhuhai port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, with a daily quota of 100 vehicles.“广东车辆南下行”计划允许已获批准、并持有确认行程预约的广东私家车车主,经由港珠澳大桥珠海口岸驶入香港市区,每日名额为100辆。The first phase of the program benefits drivers from the cities of Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Jiangmen and Zhongshan. After six months of implementation, the program will be expanded to other cities across Guangdong.该计划第一阶段惠及来自广州、珠海、江门和中山的司机。实施满六个月后,计划将扩展至广东其他城市。Each eligible mainland vehicle will be granted a maximum stay of three days per visit.每辆符合条件的内地车辆每次入境香港,最长停留时间为三天。At midnight on Tuesday, a private car with a Guangdong license plate entered the dedicated outbound lane at the Zhuhai port, preparing to head south to downtown Hong Kong.周二午夜,一辆悬挂广东车牌的私家车驶入珠海口岸的专用出境车道,准备南下前往香港市区。After the car owner had completed a temperature check and identity verification using a one-stop clearance system, the lane screen immediately lit up with a green passage prompt.车主通过“一站式通关系统”完成体温检测和身份核验后,车道屏幕随即亮起绿色通行提示。"I am very pleased to be among the first participants of the policy, driving into the urban areas of Hong Kong," said the driver, surnamed Peng.“我非常高兴能成为首批政策参与者之一,直接驾车进入香港市区,”该名姓彭的司机表示。Peng, who opened a restaurant in Zhuhai with a Hong Kong partner, often travels to the SAR for business research. The program saves him from the time-consuming transitions between buses.彭先生与一名香港合伙人在珠海开设了餐厅,经常前往特区进行商业考察。该计划让他免去了多次换乘公交的耗时不便。Five dedicated lanes in each direction have been set up at the boundary for program participants, according to inspection officials on the Zhuhai side, with some drivers saying that the full boundary crossing takes roughly five to 10 minutes.据珠海方面的查验人员介绍,口岸为计划参与者在双向各设置了五条专用车道。一些司机表示,整个过境流程大约只需5至10分钟。Mable Chan, secretary for transport and logistics of the Hong Kong SAR government, said the first-day public uptake of the program was "enthusiastic".香港特区政府运输及物流局局长陈美宝表示,该计划首日的公众参与反应“十分热烈”。Chan said the 100 places on the first day were almost fully taken up, adding that the Hong Kong authorities have been working to process applications from 1,700 mainland car owners selected via a ballot run by the Guangdong authorities last month, who were drawn from an initial pool of 2,388 registrants.陈美宝表示,首日的100个名额几乎被全部用尽。她补充说,香港方面正加紧处理由广东当局于上月通过摇号方式选出的1700名内地车主的申请,这些人选来自最初2388名报名者。"We expect that … (the program) will further promote exchanges between the people of the two regions, allowing them to truly experience the 'one-hour living circle' between Guangdong and Hong Kong, and further facilitate integration and exchanges within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area," Chan said.陈美宝表示:“我们期望……(该计划)将进一步促进两地民众的交流,让他们真正体验粤港之间的‘一小时生活圈’,并进一步推动粤港澳大湾区的融合与互动。”Given the popularity of electric vehicles on the mainland, Chan said more EV chargers compatible with mainland standards will be installed across the city.鉴于内地电动汽车的普及程度,陈美宝表示,香港将加装更多符合内地标准的电动车充电设施。One such newly added facility is the 24/7 Lantau Charging Station operated by CLPe, a subsidiary of local power supplier CLP.其中一项新设设施是由本地电力供应商中电旗下子公司CLPe运营的、全天候开放的大屿山充电站。A Guangzhou resident surnamed Guo and her family used the station to charge their EV before kicking off a two-day trip to Hong Kong on Tuesday. She described the charging and payment process as "simple and fast".周二,来自广州、姓郭的市民与家人出发前往香港展开两日游前,使用该充电站为电动车充电。她形容充电和支付流程“简单快捷”。Guo's family previously relied on the high-speed train and a cross-boundary bus to visit Hong Kong. "Now we can just get in the car at home and drive straight to the sights (in Hong Kong) — it's much more suitable for a family outing," she said.此前,郭女士一家前往香港主要依赖高铁和跨境巴士。“现在可以直接在家上车,一路开到(香港的)景点,非常适合家庭出游,”她说。For another mainland motorist, surnamed Lun, the shift from timetable-bound rail journeys to the spontaneity of a private road trip has provided more flexibility. "Now traveling in my own car, I can just book (a hotel room) in the morning and check in that same afternoon," Lun said.另一位姓伦的内地司机表示,从受时刻表限制的铁路出行转向更加随性的自驾出游,让行程灵活度大大提升。“现在自己开车出行,早上订酒店,下午就能入住,”伦先生说。Guo and Lun both said they will recommend the southbound drive to others.郭女士和伦先生均表示,会向他人推荐这一南下自驾出行方式。maximum stay/ˈmæksɪməm steɪ/最长停留期限one-stop clearance system/ˌwʌn stɒp ˈklɪərəns/一站式通关系统dedicated lane/ˈdedɪkeɪtɪd leɪn/专用车道public uptake/ˈpʌblɪk ˈʌpteɪk/公众接受度ballot/ˈbælət/摇号one-hour living circle/ˌwʌn aʊə ˈlɪvɪŋ ˈsɜːkl/一小时生活圈

Dec 24, 20253 min

Ep 178英语新闻丨China's new-style tea brands find a hot new market in US

After becoming established in the Southeast Asian market, Chinese new-style tea brands are now turning to dig gold in the United States, looking for new opportunities.在东南亚市场站稳脚跟后,中国新式茶饮品牌正将目光投向美国市场,寻求新的发展机遇。Mixue Group opened its firstbrick-and-mortar store in the US on Saturday, marking its entry into the North American market. The store was opened in Hollywood, directly opposite the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California.蜜雪集团于周六在美国开设首家实体门店,标志着其正式进军北美市场。该门店落户好莱坞,正对加利福尼亚州洛杉矶好莱坞星光大道上的标志性建筑TCL中国剧院。New-style tea refers to freshly prepared, healthier versions of milk tea and fruit tea.新式茶饮指的是现制现卖、更健康的奶茶和果茶。The opening of new-style tea brand stores in the US has been gaining momentum this year.今年,新式茶饮品牌在美国开设门店的势头日益强劲。On Aug 1, Heytea opened a store in Cupertino in northern California. So far, Heytea, the first Chinese new-style tea brand to explore the US market, operates 35 stores in the US, according to research institute Hongcan. This makes it the brand with the most US stores among Chinese new-style tea brands. One year ago, it had just two stores in the US, which demonstrates its rapid expansion.8月1日,喜茶在北加州库比蒂诺市开设新店。据红磡咨询数据显示,作为首个进军美国市场的中国新式茶饮品牌,喜茶目前在美国运营着35家门店,成为中国新式茶饮品牌在美国门店数量最多的品牌。一年前,喜茶在美国仅有两家门店,其扩张速度之快可见一斑。Meanwhile, Molly Tea has opened five stores in the US, while Chagee, as China's first new-style tea brand to be listed in the US, opened an outlet in the Westfield Century City mall in Los Angeles. Less than three months later, another outlet was opened in the metropolitan Los Angeles area.与此同时,茉莉奶白已在美国开设五家门店,而作为中国首个登陆美国的新式茶饮品牌,霸王茶姬在洛杉矶西田世纪城购物中心开设了首家门店。不到三个月后,该品牌又在洛杉矶大都会区开设了第二家门店。In July, Lelecha opened stores in New York and Los Angeles, continuing its business model of selling both tea and baked goods.七月,乐乐茶在纽约和洛杉矶开设门店,延续其茶饮与烘焙食品并售的经营模式。The market is responding positively.市场反应积极。For example, Heytea's outlet in Times Square in New York, which was opened at the beginning of this year, sold more than 3,500 cups of tea on the first day, and its average daily sales volume exceeded 2,000 cups, according to company data.例如,根据喜茶公司数据,今年初在纽约时代广场开业的喜茶门店开业首日就售出超过3500杯茶饮,其日均销量超过2000杯。Molly Tea's outlets are also breaking records. According to the company, the sales revenue of its outlet in New York in October 2024 surpassed $570,000, a record for Chinese new-style tea brands. The gross merchandise value of its first outlet in Los Angeles surpassed 4.19 million yuan ($595,000) in its first month, setting an overseas store record for the company.茉莉奶白的门店业绩同样屡创新高。据该公司透露,其纽约门店2024年10月销售额突破57万美元,创下中国新式茶饮品牌纪录。其首家洛杉矶门店开业首月商品交易总额突破419万元人民币(约合59.5万美元),刷新了该品牌海外门店业绩纪录。Chagee and Auntea Jenny have also proved popular in the US. On the day that Chagee opened its store in the US, it sold over 5,000 cups of tea. From May 16-18, Auntea Jenny's first store in the US, located in the Flushing neighborhood of the New York City borough of Queens, recorded 3,024 orders and achieved gross merchandise value of $65,000.霸王茶姬与沪上阿姨在美国同样广受欢迎。霸王茶姬在美国开业首日售出逾5000杯茶饮。5月16日至18日,位于纽约皇后区法拉盛社区的沪上阿姨首家美国门店共计完成3024笔订单,商品总价值达6.5万美元。Facing an increasing number of Chinese new-style tea brands in the US, Jason Smith, a US netizen, said on social media platform X that he hoped American companies "are ready for some real competition".面对美国市场上日益增多的中国新式茶饮品牌,美国网友杰森·史密斯(Jason Smith)在社交平台X上发文称,希望美国企业“做好迎接真正竞争的准备”。Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, said, "With the Southeast Asian market tending to be saturated, the US, with its large consumption power base, high per customer transaction rate and demand for consumption upgrade, has become a new hot spot for Chinese new-style tea brands."北京社会科学院副研究员王鹏表示:“随着东南亚市场趋于饱和,美国凭借其庞大的消费群体、高人均消费额以及消费升级需求,已成为中国新式茶饮品牌的新热点。”Zhan Junhao, founder of Fujian Huace Brand Positioning Consulting, said: "New-style tea brands opening stores in the US is an inevitable trend, as they compete fiercely in (China's) domestic market and look forincremental markets. Each brand adopts a differentiated positioning layout to adapt to the market, avoidinghomogeneous competition.福建华策品牌定位咨询创始人詹军豪表示:“新式茶饮品牌进军美国市场是必然趋势,因其在(中国)国内市场竞争激烈,需寻求增量市场。各品牌采取差异化定位布局适应市场,避免同质化竞争。”"The new-style tea market in the US is growing rapidly, and there is no dominant brand, offering a window of opportunity for Chinese brands to seize market share," Zhan said, adding that the market potential will likely attract more brands.詹军豪表示:“美国新式茶饮市场正快速扩张,目前尚未出现主导品牌,这为中国品牌抢占市场份额提供了机遇窗口。”并补充道,该市场潜力或将吸引更多品牌入局。Zhan noted that as promising as the market is, Chinese brands still face challenges when opening stores in the US. For example, high costs of staffing and rent squeeze profits, and there are cultural differences.詹军豪指出,尽管市场前景广阔,中国品牌在美国开设门店仍面临诸多挑战。例如,高昂的人力成本和租金挤压利润空间,同时还存在文化差异。Wang, the researcher, said that the brands need to adopt a long-term strategy, building core competitiveness through precise positioning, deep localization and supply chain resilience.研究员王鹏表示,品牌需要采取长期战略,通过精准定位

Dec 23, 20254 min

Ep 179英语新闻丨China turns sport into serious business

On a wintry weekend with temperatures hovering just above freezing, an indoor ski dome in the eastern Chinese city of Wuxi, Jiangsu province, buzzed with the sound of beginners shrieking their way down the slopes, many of whom had never touched a pair of skis before.在一个气温徘徊在零上几度的寒冬周末,位于中国东部江苏省无锡市的一座室内滑雪馆里,初学者的尖叫声此起彼伏。许多人滑下雪坡时都尖叫连连,其中不少人还是第一次接触滑雪板。"It's my first try," said local resident Wang Yue, still brushing off snow after a fall. "But I've already picked up the basics. I'm determined to become a cool, skilled skier this winter."“这是我第一次尝试,”当地居民王悦(音译)说着,仍在拍打身上的积雪,刚摔了一跤,“但我已经掌握了基本技巧。这个冬天,我决心成为一名酷炫又技术娴熟的滑雪者。”The Wuxi facility, mid-sized by regional standards, draws nearly half a million visits a year and generates more than 180 million yuan ($25.5 million) in sports-related spending. It is one example of how regions without natural snowfall are cashing in as China's winter sports season gains momentum.无锡滑雪场按地区标准属于中型规模,每年接待游客近50万人次,创造逾1.8亿元人民币(合2550万美元)的体育相关消费。随着中国冬季运动热潮兴起,该滑雪场成为无天然降雪地区借势盈利的典型案例。As temperatures drop, more regions are turning ice and snow into economic activity. According to an official industry report, China's ice-and-snow sector is expected to surpass 1 trillion yuan this year.随着气温下降,越来越多的地区正将冰雪转化为经济活动。根据官方行业报告,中国冰雪产业规模今年有望突破1万亿元。Sports boom体育热潮Northern China, where winter arrives early and lasts long, remains the country's primary arena for winter sports. On Nov 29, the northernmost city of Mohe in Heilongjiang province welcomed its first snow-tourism charter train of the season as more than 300 travelers set out to chase ice sculptures, forest landscapes and fresh powder.中国北方地区冬季来得早、持续时间长,仍是全国冬季运动的主要舞台。11月29日,黑龙江省最北端的城市漠河迎来今冬首列冰雪旅游专列,300余名游客踏上追寻冰雕、森林景观和新雪的旅程。In Harbin's Yabuli, a steady stream of visitors has arrived since the ski resort opened its slopes on Nov 7. "We now receive more than 2,000 visitors a day, up 12 percent from last year," said Yang Xiaodong of Yabuli's culture and tourism department.自11月7日哈尔滨亚布力滑雪场开放雪道以来,游客络绎不绝。亚布力管委会文旅处负责人杨晓冬表示:“目前日均接待游客超过2000人次,较去年同期增长12%。”As a competition venue for this year's Asian Winter Games, Yabuli plans to stage more than 30 professional events and public activities during the new snow season. It will also addacrobatic shows and other entertainment to enrich visitor experiences.作为今年亚洲冬季运动会的比赛场地,亚布力计划在新雪季期间举办30余场专业赛事和公众活动,还将新增杂技表演等娱乐项目,丰富游客体验。Data from travel platform Trip.com showed that from November to February, bookings for ice-and-snow attractions are expected to jump around 70 percent year-on-year, with inbound tour reservations rising by about half. Ski resort ticket bookings have surged more than twofold since early November.旅游平台携程数据显示,11月至次年2月期间,冰雪旅游产品预订量预计同比增长约70%,入境旅游产品预订量增长约50%。自11月初以来,滑雪场门票预订量已激增逾两倍。Such sports fever is not limited to snowfields. Across stadiums, courts and parks in cities and villages, sports are increasingly being linked with travel, food and shopping in ways that are supporting domestic demand.这种体育热潮不仅限于雪场。在城乡各体育场馆、球场和公园里,体育活动正日益与旅游、餐饮和购物相结合,从而支撑着国民需求。Few stories illustrate this better than Jiangsu's grassroots football sensation, the Su Super League. What began as a provincial competition this year exploded into a national phenomenon, with 85 matches, 2.43 million in-personspectators, average attendance nearing 30,000 and 2.2 billion online views.没有什么故事比江苏草根足球的奇迹——苏超联赛更能说明这一点了。这项今年刚起步的省级赛事,已迅速发展成为全国性的现象:共举办85场比赛,吸引243万现场观众,场均上座率接近3万人次,线上观看量达22亿次。To create a stadium atmosphere for fans unable to secure tickets, organizers set up 573 fan zones across the province, each with giant screens, food stalls, retail booths and late-night entertainment.为让未能购得门票的球迷也能感受现场氛围,主办方在全省设立了573个球迷区,每个区域都配备巨型屏幕、小吃摊、零售摊位及深夜娱乐活动。"Every one yuan spent on a ticket drove 7.3 yuan in additional consumption," said Wu Haiyun, a provincial commerce official, adding that the league brought more than 38 billion yuan in related spending.江苏省商务厅副厅长吴海云表示:“每消费1元购票款,就能带动7.3元的额外消费。”他补充表示联赛带动了超过380亿元的相关消费。Sports-led travel has become one of China's social trends. During the 15th National Games held across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in November, Guangzhou launched 50 sightseeing routes linking venues and city landmarks, alongside more than 2,000 cultural events.体育旅游已成为中国社会潮流之一。11月在粤港澳大湾区举行的第十五届全国运动会期间,广州推出了50条串联赛场与城市地标的观光路线,并举办了2000余场文化活动。Data from Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, showed that during the Games, hotel spending in Guangzhou rose 114.5 percent year-on-year, while leisure and entertainment consumption climbed more than 134 percent. Sales of Games-themed merchandise are expected to reach 1 billion yuan.抖音数据显示,全运会期间广州酒店消费同比增长114.5%,休闲娱乐消费增幅超过134%。全运会主题商品销售额预计将达10亿元。Shanghai delivered a similar surge during its National Day holiday sports calendar. Six major events, including the 2025 Shanghai Masters and the World Rowing Championships, drew more than 800,000 spectators. Luxury hotels hit near-full capacity, and sales in key commercial districts rose 42 percent year-on-year.国庆假期期间,上海的体育赛事同样掀起热潮。包括2025年上海大师赛和世界赛艇

Dec 23, 20257 min

Ep 180英语新闻丨日本最大核电站将重启

Japan's Niigata Prefecture approved on Monday to restart the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant located in the prefecture, more than a decade after the Fukushima disaster.日本新潟县周一批准重启该县境内的柏崎刈羽核电站,距福岛核事故已过去十余年。Theprefectural assembly endorsed the decision of Niigata Governor Hideyo Hanazumi, who backed the restart last month, effectively allowing the restart of Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO)'s Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, the world's largest nuclear power plant.新潟县议会批准了县知事花角英世上月支持重启的决定,这意味着东京电力公司(TEPCO)旗下全球最大核电站——柏崎刈羽核电站的重启计划得以实施。On the day, about 300 protesters rallied outside the prefectural assembly, holding banners that read "No Nukes" and "We oppose the restart of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa," local media reported.据当地媒体报道,当天约300名抗议者在县议会大楼外集会,高举着“反对核电”和“反对重启柏崎刈羽核电站”的标语。The Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, about 220 km northwest of Tokyo, was among 54 reactors shut following the March 2011 core meltdowns at TEPCO's tsunami-stricken Fukushima Daiichi plant.位于东京西北约220公里的柏崎刈羽核电站,是2011年3月东京电力公司福岛第一核电站因海啸引发堆芯熔毁事故后,54座被关闭的核反应堆之一。Upon local consent, the No 6 reactor at the seven-unit complex is expected to be back online around Jan 20, becoming the first nuclear reactor owned by TEPCO to restart since the 2011 nuclear disaster, public broadcaster NHK reported.日本广播协会报道称,在获得当地同意后,这座拥有七个机组的核电站的6号机组预计将于1月20日左右重启,这将是东京电力公司自2011年核事故以来首个重启的核反应堆。prefecturen./ˈpriː.fek.tʃɚ/县

Dec 23, 20251 min

Ep 181Editorial丨Cultural understanding helps movie's success

Disney'sZootopia 2 has been a huge success in the Chinese mainland, raking in more than 3.8 billion yuan ($539.69 million) at thebox office as of Sunday afternoon, making it the second-highest-grossing Hollywood film of all time in the mainland market—only beaten to the top spot by Avengers: Endgame. The movie's cumulative box office receipts in the Chinese mainland nearly double those for North America and account for nearly half its worldwide total, underscoring China's role as a major player in the global cinema landscape. With a vast and engaged audience base, the potential for growth is immense.迪士尼动画《疯狂动物城2》在中国大陆取得巨大成功,截至上周日下午票房已突破38亿元人民币(约合5.3969亿美元),成为该地区有史以来票房第二高的好莱坞电影——仅次于《复仇者联盟4:终局之战》。该片在大陆地区的累计票房几乎是北美票房的两倍,占全球票房近半数,彰显了中国在全球电影市场中的重要地位。中国凭借庞大且热情的观众群体,其增长潜力巨大。Zootopia 2's appeal to Chinese audiences was enhanced by Disney's engagement initiatives. Shanghai Disneyland's Zootopia-themed area, inspired by the first film, celebrated its second anniversary on Saturday. It is the world's only Zootopia-themed destination.《疯狂动物城2》对中国观众中的吸引力因迪士尼的互动推广活动而增强。全球唯一以动物城为主题的游乐园区上海迪士尼乐园的动物城主题园区——其设计灵感源自首部电影——于上周六迎来两周年庆典。Walt Disney Animation Studio also deliberately included Chinese cultural elements, such as characters representing the Chinese zodiac signs, in thesequel. One of the film's pivotal new characters is Gary De'Snake. Jared Bush, Disney Animation's chief creative officer, emphasized the character was introduced specifically to appeal to the Chinese audience: "We knew this was the Year of the Snake and we wanted the movie to come out the same year for sure." The story of protagonist Judy Hopps leaving her small town and finding success in the big city alsoresonates deeply with Chinese audiences at a time of rapid urbanization.华特迪士尼动画工作室还特意在续集中融入了中国文化元素,例如代表中国生肖的动物角色。影片新增的关键角色之一是名叫盖瑞的蛇。迪士尼动画首席创意官杰拉德·布什强调,这个角色正是为吸引中国观众而设计:“我们知道今年是蛇年,所以坚持要让电影在同一年上映。”主角朱迪·霍普斯离开小镇、在大城市取得成功的故事情节,也深深触动了正经历快速城市化进程的中国观众。Moreover, the adaptation of the film's script to accommodate Chinese cultural nuances and humor ensured that the story and its jokes got through to Mandarin-speaking audiences, which highlights the importance of cultural sensitivity and understanding.此外,电影剧本为适应中国文化特色和幽默风格所做的改编,确保了故事及其笑点能精准传达给普通话观众,这凸显了文化敏感度与理解力的重要性。The Chinese mainland market's irreplaceable contribution to Zootopia 2's global box office success is indicative of a broader trend where Hollywood films increasingly rely on international markets for their financial success. As noted by observers, China's massive consumer base and its openness to both domestic and imported films create a unique environment for cinematic success. The market's capability to nurture high-grossing films challenges the notion that it is turning away from Hollywood films. Instead, quality andcultural resonance continue to be the key factors determining whether films will be a hit or not with Chinese audiences.中国大陆市场对《疯狂动物城2》全球票房取得佳绩有着不可替代的贡献,揭示了好莱坞影片日益依赖国际市场实现商业成功的普遍趋势。正如观察人士所指出的,中国庞大的消费群体以及对国产与进口影片的开放态度,共同构筑了独特的电影成功环境。该市场培育高票房影片的能力,正挑战着“中国市场正疏远好莱坞影片”的论调。事实上,影片质量与文化共鸣度始终是中国观众决定影片成败的核心要素。As Hollywood looks to the future, the importance of understanding and engaging with the Chinese market cannot be overstated. The success of Zootopia 2 may chart the course ahead for future collaborations between Hollywood and Chinese filmmakers. By incorporating culturally relevant elements and engaging in meaningful localization, studios can create films that resonate with Chinese moviegoers, which will not only enhance their box office performance, but also foster cultural exchanges and understanding between the two countries.好莱坞展望未来之际,理解并开拓中国市场的重要性不言而喻。《疯狂动物城2》的成功或将为好莱坞与华语电影人的未来合作指明方向。通过融入文化共鸣元素并开展深度本土化,制片方能打造出深受中国观众喜爱的影片,这不仅能提升票房表现,更能促进两国间的文化交流与相互理解。Indeed, films such as Zootopia 2 can help bridge the emotional andperceptual gaps between the Chinese and American people, especially amid political and trade tensions. They serve as a medium for mutual understanding and appreciation of their different cultures. By showcasing shared values, such as friendship, perseverance and justice, these films highlight common human experiences that transcend national boundaries. Respect and acknowledgement of cultural diversity can also help foster a sense of inclusion and connection, thus reducing stereotypes and misconceptions that often fuel animosity.诚然,诸如《疯狂动物城2》这类影片有助于弥合中美民众在情感认知上的鸿沟,尤其在政治与贸易紧张局势下,它们成为促进彼此理解、欣赏不同文化的媒介。通过展现友谊、坚韧与正义等共同价值观,这些影片突显了超越国界的普世人性体验。尊重并认可文化多样性,还能促进包容感与联结感,从而减少那些常助长敌意的刻板印象与误解。In a world where political narratives often erect barriers between nations, cultural exchanges such as those facilitated by Zootopia 2 offer a powerful counterbalance, promoting understanding and collaboration.在一个政治叙事常在国家间筑起壁垒的世界里,《疯狂动物城2》所促成的文化交流提供了强有力的平衡力量,促进了理解与合作。China has become a critical market for cinematic success. Apart from Zootopia 2, Ne Zha 2, the domestic animated hit from the Spring Festival holiday, was also a global

Dec 22, 20254 min

Ep 182英语新闻丨考研人数变化折射更理性的深造选择

Millions appeared for this year's national postgraduate entrance examination over the weekend, but the number of candidates taking the test has been declining over the past three years, a trend that experts said reflects a more rational and deliberate approach among students toward further education.周末,数百万考生参加了今年的全国硕士研究生招生考试。但近三年来,报考人数持续下降。专家表示,这一趋势反映出学生在是否继续深造的问题上,正采取更加理性、审慎的态度。The message is clear, the expert said. Today's students are thinking twice before committing to further studies, instead making choices that are more calculated, calm and self-aware than before.专家指出,这一信号十分明确:当下的学生在决定是否继续深造前会反复权衡,其选择较以往更加理性、冷静,也更具自我认知。According to the Ministry of Education, 3.43 million candidates appeared for the examination this year, down from 3.88 million last year and continuing a downward trend since the 2023 peak of 4.74 million.教育部数据显示,今年共有343万人参加研究生招生考试,低于去年的388万人,自2023年474万人的峰值以来持续回落。Experts said the sustained decrease reflects a cooling of what was once a "postgraduate exam fever", with students becoming more rational and less inclined to follow the crowd.专家表示,报考人数的持续下降意味着曾经的“考研热”正在降温,学生不再盲目跟风,而是趋于理性选择。Wang Shutao, a professor at Xiamen University's Institute of Education, told China Youth Daily that in the past, students were either swept along by the crowd or sought a master's degree as a default option. "Now, students are weighing postgraduate studies against other career paths with clearer personal and professional goals in mind."厦门大学教育研究院教授王树涛在接受《中国青年报》采访时表示,过去不少学生要么随大流报考研究生,要么将攻读硕士视为“默认选项”。而如今,学生在更明确的个人发展和职业目标指引下,将考研与其他职业路径进行理性比较。Chen Zhiwen, editor-in-chief of education website EOL, noted that this is the first significant three-year decline since the start of the century. "Some of the impulsive applicants have stepped back," he said, attributing the drop partly to students refraining from blindly following the herd.教育网站中国在线教育主编陈志文指出,这是本世纪以来首次出现连续三年的明显下降。他表示,一部分冲动型考生已经“退场”,人数回落在一定程度上源于学生不再盲目从众。Experts said the sustained decrease in the number of examinees is not merely a quantitative change but also an opportunity for structural optimization and quality enhancement in postgraduate education.专家认为,考研人数的持续下降不仅是数量变化,更为研究生教育结构优化和质量提升提供了契机。Hu Xiangdong, a professor at Central China Normal University's measurement and evaluation research center, said: "The adjustment over the past three years is not just a fluctuation in numbers. It represents a critical turning point for postgraduate education, transitioning from scale expansion to structural refinement and quality improvement."华中师范大学测评研究中心教授胡向东表示:“过去三年的调整不仅是人数波动,更标志着研究生教育从规模扩张转向结构优化、质量提升的关键转折点。”He added that this shift presents an opportunity to better align talent cultivation with societal needs, enhance the value of a postgraduate degree, and strengthen the employability of graduates.他补充说,这一转变有助于更好地实现人才培养与社会需求的对接,提升研究生学历的含金量,并增强毕业生的就业竞争力。Wang Chuanyi, deputy director of Tsinghua University's Research Institute for Graduate Education Strategy, said universities are implementing stricter quality control in postgraduate training, with rigorous entry and graduation standards becoming the norm. This has led to some students with weaker academic foundations reconsidering their options, he told China Education Daily.清华大学研究生教育战略研究院副院长王传毅在接受《中国教育报》采访时表示,高校正在加强研究生培养的质量把控,严格的招生与毕业标准逐渐成为常态,这也促使部分学术基础相对薄弱的学生重新审视自身选择。In this context, Wang Shutao from Xiamen University said that he believes the decline in the number of candidates carries positive significance for those still intent on pursuing higher studies. "When taking the exam is no longer a choice driven by herd mentality, but a decision based on genuine academic interest and career planning, postgraduate education can better cultivate talent with both broad knowledge and professional depth," he said.在这一背景下,厦门大学的王树涛认为,报考人数下降对真正有志于深造的学生而言具有积极意义。他表示:“当考研不再是出于从众心理,而是基于真实的学术兴趣和职业规划作出的决定时,研究生教育才能更好地培养兼具广博视野与专业深度的人才。”This trend also sends a positive signal for postgraduate education in China, which is transitioning from expanding enrollment numbers to optimizing structure and enhancing quality, he added.他补充说,这一趋势也向外界释放出中国研究生教育正从“重规模”向“优结构、提质量”转型的积极信号。Parallel to the decline in application numbers has been a shift in candidates' motivations. According to a survey conducted in late October by the measurement and evaluation research center of Central China Normal University, the primary reason cited by students for pursuing postgraduate studies is increasingly shifting from "obtaining a higher degree" to "enhancing career development prospects".与报考人数下降并行的,是考生动机的变化。华中师范大学测评研究中心10月底开展的一项调查显示,学生选择读研的首要原因正逐步从“获得更高学历”转向“提升职业发展前景”。The survey questionnaire, which allowed multiple choices, found that while 55.87 percent of undergraduates surveyed still consider postgraduate study the main option after graduation, a significant proportion — 51.4 percent — are leaning toward direct employment, with others considering civil service exams (23.24 percent) or studying abroad (6.7 percent).该问卷为多选形式。结果显示,尽管仍有55.87%的本科生将考研视为毕业后

Dec 22, 20255 min

Ep 183英语新闻丨国台办正告民进党当局:停止无端抓扣大陆渔船民,否则须承担一切后果

There are no so-called "prohibited or restricted waters" in the sea area between Xiamen and Jinmen, an island administered by Taiwan, a spokesperson of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office said on Saturday.国务院台湾事务办公室发言人周六表示,厦门与台湾当局管辖的金门岛之间的海域不存在所谓的“禁止或限制水域”。Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said that Taiwan and the islands of Penghu, Jinmen, and Matsu are parts of China. Waters between Jinmen and Fujian province's Xiamen have long been shared fishing grounds for fishermen from both sides of the Taiwan Strait.国务院台办发言人陈斌华表示,台湾及澎湖、金门、马祖列岛都是中国的一部分。金门与福建厦门之间的海域长期以来一直是海峡两岸渔民的共同渔场。He added that the routine patrols by the Chinese mainland coast guard are crucial for maintaining maritime order and ensuring the safety of fishermen from both sides. He called on the Democratic Progressive Party authorities in Taiwan to acknowledge the historical and factual realities of these shared fishing areas and to stop unjustified detentions and aggressive actions against fishermen from the Chinese mainland.他补充说,中国大陆海警开展的例行巡航执法对于维护海上秩序、保障两岸渔民生命财产安全至关重要。他敦促台湾民进党当局正视相关海域的历史和事实现实,停止对大陆渔民进行无理扣押和挑衅性行为。Chen warned that the DPP authorities would bear full responsibility for any consequences if such actions were to continue.陈斌华警告称,如上述行为继续发生,由此产生的一切后果将由民进党当局承担全部责任。prohibited or restricted waters禁止或限制水域State Council Taiwan Affairs Office国务院台湾事务办公室shared fishing grounds共同渔场routine patrols例行巡航/例行巡逻unjustified detentions无理扣押

Dec 22, 20251 min

Ep 184英语新闻丨Efforts intensified to ease business issues

China has revised and abolished more than 10,000 problematic policy documents nationwide this year as it reviews laws and regulations involving the unequal treatment of enterprises, with a focus on grassroots authorities, according to the Ministry of Justice.据司法部介绍,今年以来,中国在审查涉及企业不平等对待的法律法规过程中,已在全国范围内修订和废止1万余份存在问题的政策文件,重点聚焦基层执法和行政部门。Key grassroots issues have also been addressed, including government failures to fulfill obligations, illegal debt raising and the practice of "new officials disowning past obligations".同时,一批基层突出问题得到整治,包括政府不履行承诺、违法举债,以及“新官不理旧账”等现象。Launched in March, a special operation led by the ministry to standardize enterprise-related law enforcement has rectified 54,000 prominent cases across the country, assisting enterprises recover 28.92 billion yuan ($4 billion) in economic losses.今年3月启动的由司法部牵头的涉企执法规范化专项行动,已在全国纠治5.4万起突出问题,帮助企业挽回经济损失289.2亿元人民币(约合40亿美元)。To unify law enforcement standards, the Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with departments such as market supervision and firefighting, has urged local governments to introduce more than 330 standardized measures.为统一执法标准,司法部会同市场监管、消防等部门,推动地方出台330余项执法规范化措施。In addition, more than 50 million entries on enterprises' abnormal operation lists have been restored, and 3.5 million penalty records removed, in a bid to ease hurdles hindering enterprises' credit restoration and access to financing and bidding opportunities.此外,已有5000多万条企业经营异常名录记录被修复,350万条行政处罚记录被依法撤销,着力破解企业信用修复、融资和参与招投标等方面的障碍。Following the operation, arbitrary fines nationwide have dropped by 8.2 percent year-on-year, with stricter oversight imposed on regions registering abnormal hikes in fines.专项行动开展后,全国乱罚款现象同比下降8.2%,对罚款异常增长地区实施了更严格的监督。Meanwhile, departments including the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Finance have advanced long-term supervision of enterprise-related charges, prompting regions and departments to generally establish catalogs of such charges and release them to the public.与此同时,国家发展改革委、工业和信息化部、财政部等部门推进涉企收费长效监管,推动各地区、各部门普遍建立涉企收费目录并向社会公开。Illegal cross-regional and profit-driven law enforcement has also been targeted, with relevant cases screened, irregularities rectified and root causes identified. Cross-provincial jurisdiction systems and collaborative mechanisms have been established following comprehensive case reviews.跨区域、逐利性执法问题也被纳入重点整治范围,通过筛查案件、纠正违规行为、查找问题根源,推动建立跨省管辖制度和协作机制。In one typical case, a county-level comprehensive law enforcement bureau in Shandong province was found in April 2025 to have illegally penalized an out-of-town seed business.在一起典型案例中,2025年4月,山东省某县综合执法局被查出对一家外地种子企业实施了违法处罚。The bureau fined the company in March for failing to label variety right numbers on corn seeds but failed to transfer jurisdiction to the relevant local agricultural authority as required. The municipal supervision bureau issued a rectification order and transferred the case to disciplinary authorities.该执法局于3月以玉米种子未标注品种权编号为由对企业罚款,但未按规定将案件移交当地农业主管部门。市级监督部门随后下达整改通知,并将案件移送纪检部门处理。According to the ministry, the operation, coupled with supporting policies, has boosted market vitality.司法部表示,专项行动及配套政策有效激发了市场活力。The number of national market entities has seen a net increase of more than 5 million, while newly registered private enterprises rose by 6.8 percent in the first eight months, 18.6 percentage points higher than the growth rate for the entire last year.全国市场主体数量净增500多万户,前八个月新登记民营企业同比增长6.8%,比去年全年增速高出18.6个百分点。Vice-Minister of Justice Hu Weilie said that despite progress, deep-seated problems remain in administrative law enforcement.司法部副部长胡卫列表示,尽管取得积极成效,但行政执法领域仍存在一些深层次问题。Some entities, he said, have failed to strictly implement the "two separate lines for revenue and expenditure" system to tighten oversight of public fund management.他说,一些单位未严格落实“收支两条线”制度,公共资金监管不到位。Instead, they have set quotas and targets for confiscated income or linked such income to performance assessments.相反,有的地方设定罚没收入指标,或将罚没收入与绩效考核挂钩。Others have not fully advanced the reform of administrative law enforcement, leading to recurring issues such as overlapping and redundant enforcement as well as shirking responsibilities.还有一些地方行政执法体制改革推进不到位,导致多头执法、重复执法和推诿扯皮等问题反复出现。Some have abused discretion in administrative penalties, arbitrarily imposing maximum fines and substituting penalties for proper management, Hu said.胡卫列表示,还有个别执法人员滥用自由裁量权,动辄顶格处罚,以罚代管。He said these problems have persisted for a long time and stem from deep-rooted causes that include misplaced performance concepts, insufficient professional law enforcement capabilities, weak oversight, and inadequate institutional development. More in-depth research and targeted efforts are needed to address the challenges, he added.他指出,这些问题长期存在,根源在于政绩观偏差、执法专业能力不足、监督乏力以及制度建设不健全等深层因素。他补充说,必须开展更深入研究,采取更有针对性的举措,才能有效破解这些难题。To improve and standardize long-term mechanisms for enterprise-related law enforcement, the ministry will accelerate the introduction of regulations, in

Dec 21, 20255 min

Ep 185Podcast丨Bathing to Reboot Your Life

Have you ever had a brilliant idea while showering? You’re not alone. In this episode, we explore why bathing has become a modern ritual for mental reset and creative insight. From the“shower effect”and the science behind relaxed thinking to the physiological benefits of warm water, we uncover how this simple daily act helps us disconnect, recharge, and find clarity in a fragmented world.We’ll also share practical tips on building your own“reboot toolkit”—small habits and mindful pauses that can restore focus, reduce stress, and bring gentle rhythm back to your day. Whether it’s a shower, a bath, or a mindful moment, learn how to turn everyday routines into opportunities to refresh and restart.Tune in to discover how to press pause, reset your mind, and flow forward with more calm and creativity.

Dec 19, 202517 min

Ep 186英语新闻丨海南加快发展,逐步成为通向全球市场的重要门户

On April 13, 2018, when President Xi Jinping announced that China would support Hainan, a tropical island about the size of Taiwan province off China's southern coast, in exploring the creation of a free trade port with Chinese characteristics, the message traveled far beyond China's southern shores.2018年4月13日,习近平主席宣布,中国将支持位于中国南部沿海、面积与台湾省相当的热带岛屿海南,探索建设具有中国特色的自由贸易港。这一消息迅速传遍中国南方海岸之外。It reached Atyrau, a city on Kazakhstan's Caspian coast, where Ruslan Tulenov, then working at a local chemical company after spending more than a decade studying and living in China, followed the news closely.这一消息传到了哈萨克斯坦里海沿岸城市阿特劳。当时,在中国学习和生活十余年后、正在当地一家化工企业工作的鲁斯兰·图列诺夫,密切关注着这条新闻。The moment Xi's announcement was broadcast, Tulenov knew it was the right time for him to return to Hainan, where he had completed his undergraduate studies.习近平讲话播出的那一刻,图列诺夫便意识到,重返他完成本科学业的海南,时机已经成熟。"I was constantly observing this country — how it developed and where it was heading," Tulenov recalled. "I wanted to find my own career chance in that process."“我一直在观察这个国家——它是如何发展的,又将走向何方,”图列诺夫回忆说,“我希望在这一进程中找到属于自己的职业机会。”Speaking that day at the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the founding of Hainan province and the Hainan Special Economic Zone, Xi highlighted Hainan's special advantages, including its status as China's biggest SEZ, its unique geographic location and the best ecological environment in the country, as reasons to make it a test ground for reform and opening-up.在当天举行的海南建省办经济特区30周年庆祝大会上,习近平强调了海南的独特优势,包括其作为中国最大经济特区的地位、独特的区位条件以及全国最优的生态环境,并指出正是这些优势,使海南具备成为改革开放试验田的条件。The decision to build a pilot free trade zone and eventually a free trade port was, Xi stressed, a major move by the Communist Party of China Central Committee to signal China's resolution of further opening up and promoting economic globalization.习近平强调,建设自由贸易试验区并逐步探索建设自由贸易港,是中共中央着眼于进一步扩大对外开放、推动经济全球化作出的重大战略部署。On Thursday, the Hainan FTP will officially launch island-wide special customs operations — a move that Xi has described as a landmark step by China to unwaveringly expand high-standard opening-up and promote the development of an open world economy.周四,海南自由贸易港将正式启动全岛封关运作。习近平将这一举措称为中国坚定不移扩大高水平对外开放、推动开放型世界经济发展的标志性一步。China's plan for the island's future also opened the door for young talent like Tulenov. When the Hainan International Economic Development Bureau, established in 2019, launched a global talent recruitment campaign, he applied right away.中国对海南未来发展的系统规划,也为图列诺夫这样的青年人才打开了机遇之门。2019年成立的海南国际经济发展局启动全球人才招聘计划时,他第一时间提交了申请。The bureau is the first government agency of its kind at the provincial level dedicated to attracting global investment for the Hainan Free Trade Port.该机构是中国首个在省级层面专门负责为海南自由贸易港吸引全球投资的政府机构。After rounds of tests and interviews, the multilingual Kazakh became the bureau's first foreign employee, reflecting Hainan's growing international orientation.经过多轮考试和面试,这位精通多种语言的哈萨克斯坦人,成为该局首位外籍员工,体现出海南日益增强的国际化取向。As policies for the Hainan Free Trade Port continued to take shape, China released a master plan in June 2020 to build Hainan into a globally influential, high-level free trade port by the middle of the century.随着海南自由贸易港相关政策不断完善,中国于2020年6月发布总体方案,提出到本世纪中叶,将海南建设成为具有全球影响力的高水平自由贸易港。The document said that supporting Hainan's construction of a free trade port system with Chinese characteristics is a significant move designed, arranged and promoted by Xi.文件指出,支持海南建设具有中国特色的自由贸易港体系,是习近平亲自谋划、亲自部署、亲自推动的重大战略举措。Two years later, in 2022, Tulenov found himself standing in the audience at the Yangpu Economic Development Zone in Hainan, listening as Xi spoke about Hainan's development path.两年后的2022年,图列诺夫站在海南洋浦经济开发区的会场中,现场聆听习近平阐述海南的发展路径。The province, Xi said, had spent decades debating its industrial positioning. Now, the priorities were clear: tourism, modern services, high-tech industries, and tropical high-efficiency agriculture, he said.习近平指出,海南在产业定位问题上探索多年,如今方向已经明确,即重点发展旅游业、现代服务业、高新技术产业和热带特色高效农业。As China's only tropical province and a major maritime region, Hainan had natural advantages in developing these four industries. The four sectors already accounted for 67 percent of Hainan's GDP in 2024.作为中国唯一的热带省份和重要海洋区域,海南在发展这四大产业方面具备天然优势。到2024年,这四个产业已占海南地区生产总值的67%。During that trip, Xi also raised expectations: Hainan would become a paradigm of reform and opening-up in the new era, he said.在那次考察中,习近平还提出更高期望,指出海南要成为新时代改革开放的示范样板。At the China International Import Expo, the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference and the G20 Leaders' Summit, the Chinese president has, on many international occasions, highlighted China's efforts to develop the Hainan Free Trade Port and develop new systems for a higher-standard open economy. Xi said that all are welcome to share in the vast opportunities of the Chinese market.在中国国际进口博览会、博鳌亚洲论坛年会以及二十国集团领导人峰会等多个国际场合,习近平多次介绍海南自由贸易港建设进展和中国构建更高水平开放型经济新体制的努力,并表示欢迎各方共享中国市场的巨大机遇。In December last year and again this November, Xi returned to the province to hear detailed work reports from local officials — trips that highlighted the central leadership's close

Dec 19, 20258 min

Ep 187英语新闻丨World closely watches Australia's social media ban for children

The wide-ranging impact of Australia's new social media ban for children under 16 — the first of its kind in the world — is already being felt at home and abroad, especially for major platforms that have controversially allowed children full access.澳大利亚针对16岁以下儿童实施的新社交媒体禁令。此类禁令是全球首例,其广泛影响已在国内外显现,尤其对那些曾引发争议地允许儿童全面使用平台的巨头企业造成冲击。The ambitious move to improve online safety governance for youngsters, which took effect on Dec 10, requires major platforms like Instagram, Facebook, X, Snapchat, TikTok, Reddit, and YouTube to enforce the new legislation. They face fines of up to A$49.5 million ($32.9 million) if they take no reasonable steps to prevent underage users from holding accounts with them.这项旨在加强青少年网络安全监管的重大举措已于12月10日生效,要求Instagram、Facebook、X、Snapchat、TikTok、Reddit和YouTube等主流平台执行新法规。若未能采取合理措施阻止未成年用户注册账户,这些平台将面临最高4950万澳元(约合3290万美元)的罚款。The ban follows a major survey which revealed how social media is negatively affecting the life satisfaction of Australian high school students. The study, led by the Australian National University, looked at the impact of regular use of social media platforms on life satisfaction levels for students nationwide. It found most participants reported regularly using at least one social media platform, while nearly one in five young people actively post or share social media content at least once a day.这项禁令出台前,一项重大调查揭示了社交媒体如何对澳大利亚高中生的生活满意度产生负面影响。由澳大利亚国立大学主导的研究,考察了社交媒体平台的常规使用对全国学生生活满意度的影响。调查发现,大多数参与者表示会定期使用至少一个社交媒体平台,而近五分之一的年轻人每天至少主动发布或分享一次社交媒体内容。Most major platforms have said that they would comply with the law. Video service provider TikTok said in a statement it has a range of methods for compliance including facial age estimation, credit card authorization, and government-approved identification.大多数主流平台均表示将遵守该法律。视频服务提供商TikTok在声明中称,其已采取多种合规措施,包括面部年龄估算、信用卡授权以及政府认可的身份验证。YouTube said it would make changes to how it operates in Australia under the ban, adding it is committed to finding "a better path forward to keep kids safe online". "We believe a more effective approach is one that empowers parents, rather than stripping away their choices, and allows kids to continue to derive the immense benefits of digital environments while protecting them from harm," it said in a statement.YouTube表示,在禁令实施期间将调整其在澳大利亚的运营方式,并承诺致力于寻找“更佳方案保障儿童网络安全”。该公司声明称:“我们认为更有效的方式是赋予家长更多选择权而非剥夺其选择权,让儿童在享受数字环境巨大益处的同时获得有效保护。”Legal action法律举措On Friday, message board website Reddit filed a lawsuit in Australia's highest court seeking to overturn the country's social media ban for children. The San Francisco-based firm, which ranks Australia among its biggest markets, said in the High Court filing that the ban should be declared invalid because it interfered with free political communication implied by the country's constitution.周五,社交论坛网站Reddit向澳大利亚最高法院提起诉讼,要求推翻该国针对儿童的社交媒体禁令。这家总部位于旧金山的公司将澳大利亚列为其最大市场之一,在向最高法院提交的文件中称,该禁令应被宣布无效,因为它干涉了该国宪法所暗示的政治自由交流。A spokesperson for Communications Minister Anika Wells, who was named as the defendant along with the Commonwealth of Australia, said the federal government was "on the side of Australian parents and kids, not platforms" and would "stand firm to protect young Australians from experiencing harm on social media", Reuters reported.据路透社报道,美国通讯部长安妮卡·韦尔斯(Anika Wells)的发言人表示,联邦政府“站在澳大利亚家长和孩子这一边,而非平台方”,并将“坚定立场,保护澳大利亚青少年免受社交媒体伤害”。Wells与澳大利亚联邦政府共同被列为本案被告。Health Minister Mark Butler said Reddit filed the lawsuit to protect profits, not young people's right to political expression, and "we will fight this action every step of the way". "It is action we saw time and time again by Big Tobacco against tobacco control and we are seeing it now by some social media or Big Tech giants," Butler told reporters.澳大利亚卫生部长马克·巴特勒表示,Reddit提起诉讼是为了保护利润,而非捍卫年轻人的政治表达权,并称“我们将全力抵制这一诉讼的每一步行动”。巴特勒向记者表示:“这是大型烟草公司屡次采取的反烟草管制手段,如今某些社交媒体或科技巨头也在效仿。”One Reddit user said in a message-board post: "Our son can no longer access his apps — this has already had a profound effect … Normally he would be consumed with his phone, watching mind-numbing videos."一位Reddit用户在论坛帖子中写道:“我们的儿子现在无法使用他的应用程序,这已经产生了深远影响……平常他会沉迷于手机,看那些令人麻木的视频。”In a radio interview a day after the ban took effect, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said online safety regulators from the eSafety Commissioner are looking at accounts in line with the new legislation. "So they'll look at what the impact is and then every month for six months they'll have to report," he said.禁令生效次日,澳大利亚总理安东尼·阿尔巴尼斯在电台采访中表示,电子安全专员办公室的网络安全监管人员正依据新法规审查相关账户。他表示:“他们将评估影响,并在接下来的六个月内每月提交报告。”Albanese also acknowledged the challenges implementation of the ban faces.安东尼·阿尔巴尼斯也承认实施禁令面临的挑战。"Some people will get around it, just as chances are this Saturday night an under 18-year-old will get a beer in a pub somewhere. That doesn't mean that society doesn't set these rules, and these processes, in order to keep our youngest Australians safe," he said.他表示:“有些人会钻空子,就像这个周六晚上,某个酒吧里很可能会有未满18岁的未成年人喝到啤酒。但这并不意味着社会没有制定这些规则和流程来保护我们最年轻的澳大利亚人。”"We'll be sensible about it … we're talking of over a million accoun

Dec 18, 202512 min

Ep 188英语新闻丨美国芯片制造商承诺加大对华投资力度

Lisa Su, chair and chief executive officer of the US semiconductor company Advanced Micro Devices, said on Wednesday that the chipmaker is committed to deepening its investments in China.美国半导体公司超威半导体董事长兼首席执行官苏姿丰周三表示,该公司致力于进一步深化在中国的投资。Su made the comments in a meeting with Li Lecheng, China's minister of industry and information technology, in Beijing.苏姿丰是在北京会见中国工业和信息化部部长李乐成时作出上述表态的。She also thanked the ministry for its support of AMD's development in China, affirming the company's "commitment to deepening its investments in the country and strengthening cooperation to jointly promote industrial innovation and development".她还感谢工信部对超威半导体在华发展的支持,并重申公司将“持续深化对华投资、加强合作,共同推动产业创新与发展”。Li said China would offer greater cooperation opportunities to foreign enterprises including AMD. He also expressed hope that AMD would continue deepening its engagement in the Chinese market.李乐成表示,中国将为包括超威半导体在内的外资企业提供更多合作机遇,并希望超威半导体继续加深对中国市场的参与和布局。semiconductor company半导体公司deepen its investments深化投资/加大投资力度foreign enterprises外资企业chair and chief executive officer (CEO)董事长兼首席执行官

Dec 18, 20251 min

Ep 189英语新闻丨Nation steps up measures to stimulate consumption

China has been implementing targeted pro-consumption measures to spur immediate spending while advancing structural reforms to unlock sustainable consumption growth, as the country moves toward a more balanced growth model anchored by its vast domestic market, economists said.经济学家指出,中国正实施有针对性的促进消费措施以刺激即时支出,同时推进结构性改革以释放可持续消费增长潜力。随着中国朝着以广阔国内市场为支撑的更均衡增长模式迈进,这些举措将发挥关键作用。They said that a robust and expanding consumer base not only powers China's high-quality development, but also provides a stabilizing force for the global economy amid fluctuating external demand and geopolitical complexities.他们指出,庞大且不断扩大的消费群体不仅推动着中国的高质量发展,更在全球外部需求波动和地缘政治复杂化的背景下,为世界经济提供了稳定力量。At the annual Central Economic Work Conference held last week, Chinese policymakers placed "boosting domestic demand" first among eight key priorities on the economic agenda for next year.在上周召开的年度中央经济工作会议上,中国决策者将“扩大内需”列为明年经济议程八大重点任务之首。President Xi Jinping pointed out in an article published on Monday in Qiushi Journal, the flagship magazine of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, that expanding domestic demand is crucial not only for economic stability but also for economic security. It is not a temporary measure, but a strategic move, he said.习近平主席在周一发表于中共中央机关刊物《求是》杂志的文章中指出,扩大内需不仅关乎经济稳定,更关乎经济安全。他强调,这并非权宜之计,而是战略举措。Xi, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, called for accelerating efforts to address weaknesses in domestic demand, especially consumption, to make domestic demand the main driving force and stabilizing anchor for economic growth.习近平同时担任中共中央总书记,他呼吁加快解决国内需求薄弱环节,特别是消费领域的问题,使国内需求成为经济增长的主要驱动力和稳定锚。Robert Koopman, former chief economist of the World Trade Organization, said that over the next five to 10 years, "an important evolution in China's role is going to be to shift toward being a big center of demand".世界贸易组织前首席经济学家罗伯特·库普曼表示,未来五到十年间,“中国角色将发生重要演变,逐步转向成为重要的需求中心”。Analysts said that targeted measures to stimulate consumption remain necessary in the near term, as the latest data points to slowing growth of retail sales. In November, total retail sales of consumer goods, a gauge of consumption, registered a year-on-year increase of 1.3 percent, down 1.6 percentage points compared with October, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.分析师指出,鉴于最新数据显示零售额增速放缓,短期内仍需采取有针对性的措施刺激消费。国家统计局数据显示,作为消费风向标的11月社会消费品零售总额同比增长1.3%,较10月增速回落1.6个百分点。On Sunday, the Ministry of Commerce, along with the People's Bank of China, which is China's central bank, and the National Financial Regulatory Administration, jointly released a document pledging stronger financial support for consumer spending.周日,商务部联合中国人民银行(中国央行)和国家金融监督管理总局共同发布文件,承诺将加大对消费支出的金融支持力度。In the document, financial institutions were encouraged to refine their services for consumption on big-ticket goods, while for the services sector, the document emphasized innovative financial products targeting industries such as elderly care, catering, tourism and education.该文件鼓励金融机构完善针对大宗商品消费的服务,同时强调服务行业应推出创新金融产品,重点面向养老、餐饮、旅游和教育等领域。Dong Ximiao, chief researcher at Merchants Union Consumer Finance Co, said that front-loading of such support weeks before the new year is designed to secure early economic momentum and set a positive trajectory for 2026.招商银行消费金融公司首席研究员董希淼表示,在新年到来前数周提前推出此类支持措施,旨在确保经济早日获得动能,为2026年奠定积极发展轨迹。In particular, the move, launched ahead of the Spring Festival shopping season in mid-February, signaled a strategic effort to harness the year's peak consumption period, Dong added.董希淼补充道,这项举措特别选在二月中旬春节购物季前启动,标志着企业正采取战略性举措,力求把握年度消费高峰期。Analysts view the latest move as part of a calibrated "one-two punch" for consumption, pairing targeted financial support with extended trade-in programs through 2026.分析师认为,此番举措是刺激消费的精心策划的“组合拳”,将定向金融支持与延长至2026年的以旧换新计划相结合。Han Wenxiu, executive deputy director of the Office of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs, told a news conference on Saturday that China should "adapt to the evolving consumption structure by expanding the supply of high-quality goods and services, and optimize the implementation of the trade-in policies".中央财经委员会办公室副主任韩文秀周六在记者会上表示,中国应“通过扩大优质商品和服务供给适应消费结构变化,优化以旧换新政策实施”。According to data from the Ministry of Commerce, from January to November this year, trade-in programs pushed sales of related goods beyond 2.5 trillion yuan ($355 billion), benefiting more than 360 million people.据商务部数据显示,今年1至11月,以旧换新活动带动相关商品销售额突破2.5万亿元(约合3550亿美元),惠及超过3.6亿人。Wang Qing, chief macroeconomic analyst at Golden Credit Rating International, said that next year's trade-ins could incorporate a wider range of products, particularly those with artificial intelligence features. Wang suggested scaling up the annual funding pool to 500 billion yuan — an increase from this year's 300 billion yuan.金信评级首席宏观分析师王青表示,明年的以旧换新政策可能涵盖更广泛的产品,特别是具备人工智能功能的产品。王青建议将年度资金池规模扩大至5000亿元人民币——较今年的3000亿元有所增加。In late November, China unveiled a plan to improve the alignment of the supply and demand of consumer goods, highlighting the application of AI across all sec

Dec 18, 20255 min

Ep 190英语新闻丨习近平强调提高未成年人道德水平的重要性

President Xi Jinping has underlined the strategic importance of intellectual and moral development for minors, and called for joint efforts to create a sound social environment conducive to the healthy growth of young people.习近平主席强调了未成年人智力与道德发展的战略重要性,呼吁各方共同努力,营造有利于青少年健康成长的良好社会环境。Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in an instruction on work to raise minors' moral standards.同时担任中共中央总书记和中央军事委员会主席习近平在关于提高未成年人道德水平工作的指示中作出上述表述。He noted that since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the CPC Central Committee has attached great importance to the intellectual and moral development of minors and implemented various measures to advance related work, achieving new progress and outcomes.习近平主席指出,自2012年党的十八大以来,党中央高度重视未成年人的思想道德发展,采取多项措施推进相关工作,取得了新的进展和成效。On the new journey, work to raise minors' moral standards should be carried out as a strategic and fundamental task, Xi said, adding that it is essential to persistently use the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to nurture and shape young minds.习近平主席指出,在新征程上,要把提高未成年人道德水平作为一项战略性、基础性工作来抓,坚持用新时代中国特色社会主义思想来塑造和塑造年轻人的思想。He called for improving the collaborative educational mechanism involving schools, families and society to guide minors in fostering lofty ideals, practicing core socialist values, and developing a good moral character and behavior in order to nurture a new generation of capable young people with an all-around moral, intellectual, physical and aesthetic grounding and a hardworking spirit, who will fully develop socialism and carry forward the socialist cause.习近平主席呼吁完善学校、家庭、社会三方协作的教育机制,引导未成年人树立崇高理想,践行社会主义核心价值观,培养良好品德和行为习惯,为培养全面发展、德智体美劳全面发展、勤奋好学的新一代青年人才奠定基础,使他们能够全面建设社会主义、继承并发扬社会主义事业。Xi urged Party committees and governments at all levels, as well as relevant departments and organizations, to work together to foster a sound social environment for the healthy growth of minors.习近平主席敦促各级党委政府以及相关部门和组织共同努力,为未成年人的健康成长营造良好的社会环境。Xi's instruction was conveyed at a symposium on work regarding the intellectual and moral development of minors, which was held in Beijing on Monday.习近平主席的指示是在周一于北京召开的未成年人思想道德发展工作座谈会上传达的。Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, attended the symposium and delivered a speech.中共中央政治局常委、中共中央书记处书记蔡奇出席座谈会并讲话。Li Shulei, head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, chaired the symposium.中共中央宣传部部长李书磊主持座谈会。

Dec 17, 20252 min

Ep 191英语新闻丨Policy support urged to boost marriage rate

Experts have called for stronger policy and financial support for young people and enhanced efforts to eliminate workplace discrimination to foster a marriage-and birth-friendly society.专家呼吁加强针对年轻人的政策和财政支持,并加大消除职场歧视的力度,以营造一个支持婚姻和生育的社会环境。According to the China Statistical Yearbook, which was published recently by the National Bureau of Statistics, about 6.1 million couples registered their marriage in 2024. Among them, 6.04 million were mainland residents, while 61,900 had spouses who were foreigners, overseas Chinese, or residents of the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions and Taiwan.根据国家统计局近日发布的《中国统计年鉴》,2024年全国登记结婚约610万对。其中,大陆居民登记结婚604万对,与外国公民、海外华侨及港澳台地区居民结婚登记6.19万对。Data shows that the number of marriage registrations has fluctuated in recent years, with a marginal rebound in 2023 after continuous decline since 2013. In the first three quarters of 2025, there has been a modest increase in the number, with about 5.15 million couples registering their marriage, compared with 4.75 million during the same period last year.数据显示,近年来婚姻登记数量呈现波动态势,自2013年持续下降后,2023年出现小幅回升。2025年前三季度登记数量有所增长,约515万对新人完成婚姻登记,较去年同期475万对有所增加。Amid this trend, experts and members of the public have urged more policy and financial support from the government to ease pressures on young people of marriageable age and encourage them to marry and have children.在此趋势下,专家和公众呼吁政府提供更多政策和财政支持,以缓解适婚年龄青年的压力,鼓励他们结婚生子。"From a demographic perspective, China's current population of marriageable age—mainly those born after 1990 and 2000—is shrinking. Young people's views on marriage differ from those of previous generations. They tend to delay marriage or choose not to marry," said Jiang Quanbao, a professor at the Capital University of Economics and Business' School of Labor Economics in Beijing.从人口结构角度看,中国当前适婚年龄段人口——主要是1990后和2000后群体——正在缩减。首都经济贸易大学劳动经济学院教授姜全保指出:“年轻一代的婚姻观与前辈存在差异,他们普遍推迟结婚或选择不结婚。”Social pressures and changing norms also influence marriage decisions, Jiang noted. "Young people face financial pressures from housing expenses, 'bride price', and wedding and childbearing costs. Also, women are becoming more educated and pursuing career success," he said, adding that society has become more inclusive and open-minded about diverse attitudes toward marriage.姜全保指出,社会压力和不断变化的规范也影响着婚姻决策,“年轻人面临住房开支、‘彩礼’以及婚嫁生育等经济压力。同时,女性受教育程度不断提高,更追求事业成功。”他还表示,社会对婚姻的多样化态度也变得更加包容和开放。Zhang Xianling, an associate professor at the Central University of Finance and Economics' School of Sociology and Psychology in Beijing, told Workers' Daily that marriage is traditionally seen as essential for personal growth and carrying forward the family bloodline, but with rapid economic and social transformations, more young people now choose to delay marriage or not marry at all.中央财经大学社会与心理学院副教授张现苓向《工人日报》表示,婚姻传统上被视为个人成长和延续家族血脉的重要途径,但随着经济社会快速转型,如今越来越多的年轻人选择推迟结婚或不结婚。To boost marriage and childbirth rates, relevant authorities have rolled out new supportive measures, includingstreamlining marriage registration procedures.为提高结婚率和生育率,相关主管部门推出了一系列支持性新措施,包括简化结婚登记手续。In May, people of marriageable age were allowed to register for marriage at their place of work or residence instead of their hometowns under the hukou system, also known as household registration.五月起,适婚年龄人群可在工作地或居住地登记结婚,无需再按户籍制度要求返回户籍所在地办理。In July, a financial support policy was introduced to give families 3,600 yuan ($511) per year for each child under the age of 3 years.七月,一项财政支持政策出台,规定每年为每个未满三周岁的儿童提供3600元(约合511美元)的补助。The recently adopted recommendations for formulating China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) also call for promoting positive attitudes toward marriage and childbirth by optimizing supportive policies and incentives.近期通过的关于制定中国第十五个五年规划(2026-2030年)的建议,同时要求通过完善支持性政策和激励措施,促进社会对婚姻和生育的积极态度。Wang Xuanyi, 29, a financial analyst in Beijing, said that for ordinary people, the greatest pressures of marriage include home loans and child-rearing expenses. "For me, as a woman, I may face discrimination in the workplace, as some employers see pregnant employees as a burden."29岁的北京金融分析师王宣怡(音译)表示,对普通人而言,婚姻的最大压力包括房贷和育儿开支,“作为女性,我可能面临职场歧视,因为有些雇主认为怀孕员工是负担。”Wang emphasized that it is important for the government to promote healthier perspectives on marriage and childbirth by alleviating young people's concerns about career development, high housing prices, and a work culture that is not friendly toward childcare.王宣怡(音译)强调,政府应通过缓解年轻人对职业发展、高房价以及不利于育儿的工作文化的担忧,来倡导更健康的婚姻和生育观念。"It will be a long journey, but I think things will get better if we receive stronger policy and financial support from the authorities," she added.她补充道:“这将是一段漫长的旅程,但我认为,如果我们能获得政府更强有力的政策和财政支持,情况将会好转。”Jiang, from Capital University of Economics and Business, said that encouraging young people to marry and have children requires a systematic effort involving financial support, improved public services and guidance on marriage values.来自首都经济贸易大学的姜全保教授指出,鼓励年轻人结婚生子需要系统性举措,包括提供经济支持、完善公共服务以及引导婚姻价值观。"The government can offer special housing subsidies, or low-interest

Dec 17, 20255 min

Ep 192英语新闻丨反中乱港分子黎智英,被定罪!

Dec 17, 20253 min

Ep 193英语新闻丨Death toll rises to 16 in Sydney's Bondi Beach sho

The death toll from a shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach on Sunday has risen to 16, with a father and son identified as the attackers, police said Monday.警方周一表示,周日在悉尼邦迪海滩发生的枪击事件死亡人数已升至16人,袭击者已被确认为一对父子。Police in the state of New South Wales (NSW) said on Monday morning that 16 people have been confirmed dead after the shooting.新南威尔士州警方周一上午表示,枪击案发生后,已有16人被确认死亡。A police statement said that 14 people died at the scene and two others died in hospital.一份警方声明称,14人当场死亡,另有2人在医院不治身亡。The deceased range in age from 10 to 87 years old and includes one of the attackers.死者年龄跨度从10岁到87岁不等,其中包括一名袭击者。Another 40 people were being treated in hospital for their injuries as of Monday morning, five of whom were in critical condition.截至周一上午,另有40人因伤在医院接受治疗,其中5人伤势危急。NSW Police Force Commissioner Mal Lanyon told a press conference on Monday morning that the two alleged shooters were a 50-year-old man and his 24-year-old son.新南威尔士州警务处长马尔·兰尼恩(Mal Lanyon)在周一上午的新闻发布会上表示,两名涉嫌枪手分别是一名50岁的男子和他24岁的儿子。The 50-year-old, who was killed at the scene, was a licensed firearm holder with six guns legally in his possession, Lanyon said.兰尼恩说,这名当场被击毙的50岁男子是持证枪支拥有者,其名下合法拥有六支枪。The shooting occurred at around 6:47 pm local time on Sunday when the two men opened fire on a crowd of at least 1,000 people who gathered at the beach for an event celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.枪击事件发生在当地时间周日晚上6点47分左右,当时这两名男子向聚集在海滩上庆祝犹太节日“光明节”(Hanukkah)第一天的至少1000名人群开火。Lanyon, who on Sunday night officially declared the shooting as a terrorist attack, said Monday that investigations into motives behind the attack are ongoing.兰尼恩已于周日晚间正式宣布这起枪击事件为恐怖袭击,他在周一表示,关于袭击背后动机的调查正在进行中。Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that the attack was an act of "pure evil" and that Australia would do whatever is necessary to stamp out antisemitism.澳大利亚总理安东尼·阿尔巴尼斯(Anthony Albanese)表示,这次袭击是“纯粹的邪恶”行径,澳大利亚将采取一切必要措施来消灭反犹太主义。"It is a scourge and we'll eradicate it together," he said.“这是一个祸害,我们将共同根除它,”他说。It marks Australia's most deadly mass shooting since 35 people were killed at Port Arthur in the island state of Tasmania in 1996, which prompted fundamental changes to Australia's gun ownership laws.这是自1996年塔斯马尼亚岛亚瑟港发生35人被杀事件以来,澳大利亚发生的最致命的大规模枪击事件,当年的惨剧曾促使澳大利亚对枪支所有权法律进行了根本性的改革。 Death toll死亡人数Critical condition伤势危急,病危Alleged[ə'ledʒd]涉嫌的,声称的Licensed firearm holder持证枪支拥有者

Dec 16, 20252 min

Ep 194英语新闻丨人工智能玩具为消费者提供情绪价值

Eager to tap into a huge potential customer base, industry players are accelerating their push into the artificial intelligence-driven toys market, hoping to unlock new growth as supportive policies inject fresh momentum into the sector.为挖掘庞大的潜在客户群体,行业参与者正加速进军人工智能驱动的玩具市场,期待借政策支持为该领域注入新动能,从而开启新的增长空间。Experts and business leaders noted that AI toys, created to provide emotional support and companionship, are well-positioned to spark the next wave of consumer trends by using advanced technologies to foster emotional connections with consumers.专家和商业领袖指出,人工智能玩具旨在提供情感支持与陪伴,凭借先进技术与消费者建立情感纽带,有望引领下一波消费潮流。"Young consumers are increasingly paying for emotional value, and AI companionship is emerging as a key early-use case," said Sun Zhaozhi, founder and CEO of Shanghai-based AI-driven toy startup Robopoet.上海人工智能玩具初创企业珞博智能科技有限公司创始人兼首席执行官孙兆治表示:“年轻消费者越来越愿意为情感价值买单,而人工智能陪伴正成为关键的早期应用场景。”"This is attracting more companies, including major firms, into the field," Sun said.孙兆治表示:“这正吸引着更多企业,包括大型企业,进入该领域。”According to data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China's AI toy market was valued at 24.6 billion yuan ($3.49 billion) in 2024, and is expected to be worth 29 billion yuan this year.根据工业和信息化部的数据显示,2024年中国人工智能玩具市场规模达246亿元(约合34.9亿美元),预计今年将达到290亿元。The growth momentum is backed by an action plan released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the People's Bank of China and the State Administration for Market Regulation last month, where collectible toys were listed as a priority support consumption category for the first time, making it one of 10 consumer segments targeted to exceed the 100 billion yuan mark by 2027.增长势头得益于上月由工业和信息化部、国家发展和改革委员会、商务部、文化和旅游部、中国人民银行及国家市场监督管理总局联合发布的行动方案。该方案首次将收藏玩具列为重点扶持消费品类,使其成为十个目标消费领域之一,力争到2027年实现规模突破千亿人民币大关。"The deep integration of AI with traditional toy manufacturing is reshaping product forms and value chains, making AI toys a new engine for high-quality industrial development," said He Yaqiong, head of the consumer products industry department at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.工业和信息化部消费品司司长何亚琼表示:“人工智能与传统玩具制造的深度融合,正在重塑产品形态和价值链,使智能玩具成为高质量产业发展的全新引擎。”Priced at 399 yuan, Robopoet's flagship AI plush toy Fuzozo, which talks to and makes eye contact with users, sold over 1,000 units in the first 10 minutes of the "618" shopping festival presale and ranked No 1 in AI toy sales on both JD and Tmall during this year's Double 11 shopping festival, Sun said.珞博智能旗下旗舰AI毛绒玩具“芙崽”售价399元,具备与用户对话及眼神交流功能。据孙兆治透露,该产品在“618”购物节预售阶段开售10分钟内销量突破千台,并在今年双11购物节期间同时荣登京东、天猫两大平台AI玩具销量榜首。The senior executive added that the product has sold about 100,000 units so far this year and targets 1 million next year, aiming for 400-500 million yuan in gross merchandise value.孙兆治补充道,该产品今年迄今已售出约10万台,明年目标为100万台,力争实现4亿至5亿元人民币的商品交易总额。As consumer demand grows more diverse, more companies are shifting their focus toward AI-powered pet companions.随着消费者需求日益多元化,越来越多的企业正将目光转向人工智能驱动的宠物伴侣。"Unlike typical robots designed to serve humans, our product simulates a live pet that needs care. The process of caring offers users a sense of healing, helping them to cope with anxiety and loneliness," said He Jiabin, co-founder and CEO of AI robot pet manufacturer Ropet.人工智能宠物机器人Ropet的联合创始人兼首席执行官何嘉斌表示:“与传统服务型机器人不同,我们的产品模拟了需要照料的活体宠物。照料过程能为用户带来治愈感,帮助他们缓解焦虑与孤独。”He added that AI-powered robot pets better suit the lifestyles of young people today, as challenges such as allergies, time constraints and a training process are not present.何嘉斌补充道,人工智能驱动的机器人宠物更适合当今年轻人的生活方式,因为它们避免了过敏、时间限制和训练过程等难题。Supported by an emotional large language model and behavioral learning, Ropet can continuously adapt to users' habits and gradually develop distinctive traits, allowing it to interact more like a personalized pet, the executive said.何嘉斌表示,在情感化大型语言模型和行为学习技术的支持下,Ropet能够持续适应用户习惯并逐步形成独特个性,使其互动体验更接近于个性化宠物。Following its domestic debut on JD in late October, the AI pet product quickly made its way into the platform's top three ranking in the robot category by sales volume during the Double 11 shopping festival.这款人工智能宠物产品于十月下旬在京东平台国内首发后,在双十一购物节期间迅速跻身该平台机器人品类销量前三名。"Our business logic is straightforward: first create an appealing hardware product, then use high usage rates to accumulate behavioral data, and finally leverage this data to deliver true intelligence," He said.他说道:“我们的商业逻辑很简单:先打造一款吸引人的硬件产品,再通过高使用率积累行为数据,最后利用这些数据实现真正的智能化。”As domestic momentum builds, Chinese AI toys are also finding strong traction abroad.随着国内势头增强,中国的人工智能玩具在海外市场也获得了强劲的牵引力。In 2024, China's domestic toy retail market was worth 97.85 billion yuan, up 25.5 percent from 2020, while toy exports totaled $39.87 billion, rising 19.1 percent from 2020, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said.工业和信息化部数据显示:2024年中国国内玩具零售市场规模达978.5亿元,较2020年增长25.5%;玩具出口总额达398.7亿美元,较2020年增长19.1%。"Consumers in the United States and Europe have shown high acceptanc

Dec 15, 20255 min

Ep 195英语新闻丨Ukraine says ready to accept NATO-style security guarantees

KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday that Ukraine stands ready to agree on security guarantees based on NATO Article 5 as a part of a compromise in the peace process, the Ukrinform news agency reported.基辅——据乌克兰国家通讯社报道,乌克兰总统弗拉基米尔·泽连斯基周日表示,作为和平进程中达成妥协的一部分,乌克兰已准备好接受以北约《第五条款》为基础的安全保障安排。"From the very beginning, Ukraine's desire was to join NATO, these are real security guarantees. Some partners from the United States and Europe did not support this direction," he told reporters.他在接受记者采访时表示:“从一开始,乌克兰的目标就是加入北约,因为那才是真正的安全保障。但来自美国和欧洲的一些伙伴并不支持这一方向。”"Article 5-like guarantees from the United States and from European partners, as well as from other countries — Canada, Japan ... would provide an opportunity to prevent another arrival of Russian troops," Zelensky said, adding, "It is already a compromise on our part."泽连斯基说:“来自美国、欧洲伙伴以及其他国家——如加拿大、日本等——的‘类似第五条款的保障’,将有助于防止俄罗斯军队再次进入乌克兰。”他补充说:“这本身已经是我们作出的妥协。”Zelensky said he was not yet ready to disclose specific details of the proposed security guarantees, saying they would be known in a day or two.泽连斯基表示,目前尚不便披露拟议安全保障的具体细节,相关内容可能在一两天内公布。Zelensky arrived in Berlin on Sunday afternoon for talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other European leaders.泽连斯基于周日下午抵达柏林,将与德国总理弗里德里希·默茨及其他欧洲领导人举行会谈。German newspaper Bild reported that Zelensky may also hold talks with representatives of US President Donald Trump, but did not elaborate further.德国《图片报》报道称,泽连斯基还可能与美国总统唐纳德·特朗普的代表进行会谈,但未透露更多细节。NATO Article 5北约《第五条款》(集体防御条款)Compromise[ˈkɒmprəmaɪz]妥协security guarantees安全保障disclose details披露细节news agency通讯社

Dec 15, 20251 min

Ep 196英语新闻丨中国计划扩大生育相关费用保障范围

China aims to broaden insurance coverage for childbirth-related medical expenses and strengthen support for pharmaceutical innovation in the coming year, according to the National Healthcare Security Administration.国家医疗保障局表示,中国计划在未来一年扩大生育相关医疗费用的保险覆盖范围,并加强对医药创新的支持力度。The goals were outlined in a report delivered by Zhang Ke, director of the administration, at its annual work conference on Saturday. The report reviewed progress in healthcare security during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25) and detailed priority areas for 2026.这些目标由国家医疗保障局主任章轲在周六举行的年度工作会议上提交的报告中提出。该报告回顾了“十四五”规划期间(2021-2025年)医疗保障工作的进展,并详细列出了2026年的重点工作领域。To adapt to demographic shifts marked by declining birth rates and a rapidly aging population, the report said maternity insurance coverage for prenatal checkups will be reasonably expanded within the financial capacity of the insurance fund.为应对生育率下降和人口快速老龄化的人口结构变化,报告指出将在保险基金财力范围内合理扩大孕产妇保险的产前检查覆盖范围。Authorities will explore the creation of a basic service package that incorporates prenatal examinations, aiming to ease the financial burden on families.相关部门将研究推出包含产前检查的基本服务套餐,旨在减轻家庭的经济负担。By next year, the goal is to achieve nationwide full reimbursement for all policy-covered medical expenses related to childbirth, enabling insured expectant mothers to incur almost no out-of-pocket costs for covered services.到明年,目标是实现全国范围内对所有与分娩相关的保险覆盖医疗费用全额报销,使参保孕妇在享受保险覆盖服务时几乎无需承担自付费用。Additional expenses, such as those for premium hospital wards or medications not included in the reimbursement list, will remain uncovered.但例如高级病房费用或未列入报销清单的药品等的额外费用,仍将不予覆盖。So far, seven provincial-level regions, including Jilin, Jiangsu and Shandong provinces, have implemented policies that make childbirth nearly free of charge.迄今为止,包括吉林、江苏和山东在内的七个省级地区已实施政策,使生育费用几乎免费。The administration said the number of women enrolled in the national maternity insurance program has risen to 255 million, and all regions have included fertility treatment in their basic health insurance plans.国家医疗保障局表示,全国生育保险参保女性人数已增至2.55亿,所有地区均已将生育治疗纳入基本医疗保险范围。Nearly 95 percent of fund pooling regions now distribute fertility subsidies directly to beneficiaries' personal accounts rather than through employers.目前近95%的基金池地区已将生育补贴直接发放至受益人个人账户,而非通过雇主发放。For the coming year, authorities will promote participation among flexible workers, migrant workers and individuals in new forms of employment in maternity insurance, while exploring the feasibility of extending coverage to nonemployed urban and rural residents.未来一年,相关部门将推动灵活就业人员、流动务工人员及新型就业形式从业人员参与生育保险,同时研究将覆盖范围扩大至城镇非雇佣居民和农村居民的可行性。All provincial-level regions will be required to cover eligible labor pain relief procedures under insurance and further implement and refine reimbursement policies for assisted reproductive technology services.所有省级行政区都将要求将符合条件的分娩镇痛项目纳入医保范围,并进一步落实和完善辅助生殖技术服务的报销政策。To assist the 220 million people aged 65 and older — who make up 15.6 percent of China's total population as of end of 2024 — the report called for the further development of the long-term care insurance program, which currently covers about 300 million people, and encouraged commercial insurers to develop related products.为帮助2.2亿65岁及以上人口(截至2024年底占中国总人口的15.6%),报告呼吁进一步发展长期护理保险制度,该制度目前覆盖约3亿人;并鼓励商业保险公司开发相关产品。Addressing demographic challenges was also among the priorities set by the annual two-day Central Economic Work Conference that concluded on Thursday. The conference emphasized expanding rehabilitative care services, advancing the long-term care insurance program, and strengthening care and support for vulnerable groups.应对人口结构挑战也是本周四结束的为期两天年度中央经济工作会议确定的重点工作之一。会议强调要扩大康复护理服务范围,推进长期护理保险制度建设,加强对弱势群体的照护与支持。The meeting also stressed the importance of promoting positive views on marriage and childbearing and striving to stabilize the newborn population.会议还强调了倡导积极婚姻生育观念、努力稳定新生儿人口的重要性。The healthcare security report also underscored stepped-up support for innovative drugs and emerging healthcare technologies.该医疗保健安全报告还强调了对创新药物和新兴医疗技术的加强支持。Over the past five years, 949 medicines were added to the national reimbursement drug list, bringing the cumulative total to 3,253.过去五年间,共有949种药品被纳入国家医保药品目录,累计纳入药品总数达到3253种。In the latest update released earlier this month, a record 50 first-in-class novel drugs were added, accounting for nearly half of the 114 newly included products.在本月初发布的最新的医保药品目录更新中,新增了创纪录的50种首创创新药物,占新增的114种产品近半数。At the same time, the administration issued the country's first commercial insurance innovative drug list, covering 19 medicines with significant clinical value, high innovation levels and substantial patient benefits.与此同时,国家医疗保障局发布了全国首份商业保险创新药目录,涵盖19种具有显著临床价值、高创新水平和实质性患者获益的药品。The report called for active implementation of the commercial drug list and encouraged commercial health insurers to cover more reasonable medical expenses outside the basic insurance catalog. Commercial insurers will also be mobilized to increase investment in innovative drugs to support research and development.该报告呼吁积极实施商业药品目录,鼓励商业健康保险公司覆盖基本保险目录外

Dec 15, 20256 min

Ep 197英语新闻丨Conference sets economic priorities for 2026

China has pledged to build a robust domestic market to bolster its economy and counter external challenges, as it set out priorities for next year's economic policy at the two-day annual Central Economic Work Conference, which concluded on Thursday.Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, delivered a speech at the conference.In his speech, Xi, who is also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, reviewed economic progress in 2025, analyzed the current economic situation, and laid out priorities for economic work in the next year.By setting a clear agenda for 2026, the Central Economic Work Conference aims to navigate China through its economic challenges while seizing opportunities for high-quality growth.While highlighting the need to continue to expand domestic demand, the conference urged efforts to advance the construction of a unified national market in greater depth and develop new quality productive forces tailored to local conditions to promote "effective qualitative improvement" and "reasonable quantitative growth" in the country's economy.A statement released after the meeting said that, to achieve better performance in economic work under the new circumstances, "we must strengthen our capabilities to cope with external challenges", highlighting the importance of enhancing policy support as well as promoting reform and innovation.Acknowledging that numerous long-standing issues and new challenges still remain in the country's economic development, the conference noted the growing impact of changes in the external environment on the country's economic growth, the prominent contradiction of strong supply and weak demand in the domestic market, and risks and hidden dangers in key areas.Most of the problems are coupled with development and transformation, and can be resolved through efforts, the statement said, adding that the supporting conditions and fundamental trend of long-term, positive economic growth in China remain unchanged.Setting the tone for next year's economic work, the conference emphasized the need to adhere to the overarching principle of "seeking progress while maintaining stability", and better coordinate domestic economic work and endeavors in the international economic and trade arena, as well as development and security.It is important to fully align incremental policies with existing ones, and strengthen countercyclical and cross-cyclical adjustments to effectively enhance the efficiency of macroeconomic governance, the statement said.The nation will continue exerting a more proactive fiscal policy and a moderately accommodative monetary policy next year, the statement said, adding that when formulating monetary policy, both promoting stable economic growth and allowing a reasonable rise in prices are important aspects that should be taken into consideration.It is essential to flexibly and efficiently use various policy tools such as reserve requirement ratio cuts and interest rate cuts to maintain ample liquidity, and guide financial institutions to strengthen support for expanding domestic demand, technological innovation, and small and medium-sized enterprises, the statement said.China will maintain the basic stability of the RMB exchange rate at a reasonable and balanced level, it added.As one of the priorities for next year's economic agenda, China plans to boost its domestic market by implementing a consumption enhancement campaign and urban-rural income growth plans, optimizing consumption policies, removing unreasonable restrictions hindering consumption, and stimulating service consumption potential, according to the statement. Investment will be stabilized with measures such as an increase in central budget investment, effective use of local government bonds and high-quality urban renewal.The conference underlined the need to promote innovation-driven growth to enhance the fresh growth drivers for the country's economy. Major international science and technology innovation centers will be established in Beijing, Shanghai and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.The country will also work to improve systems of intellectual property protection in emerging areas, roll out an action plan to promote the service sector, and launch a new round of a campaign to bolster the high-quality development of the industrial chain in key sectors, the statement said.The conference outlined plans for comprehensive reforms to enhance market vitality, including efforts to advance the construction of a unified national market, address rat-race competition, reform State-owned enterprises, and promote development of the private economy. Efforts to tackle issues such as overdue payments to enterprises and deepen the comprehensive reform of investment and financing in the capital market were also highlighted.It is important to fully align incremental policies with existing ones, and strengthen countercyclical and cross-

Dec 14, 20259 min

Ep 198Why Watching Videos at 2x Kills Learning?

This is a special episode titled Graduation Trips: Your Speed-Listening Habit Might Be Becoming an Invisible Burden, in whichIn this age of information overload, we've grown accustomed to watching videos at 1.5x or even 2x speed, seeking to compress time and boost efficiency. Yet recent research suggests this habit may be quietly damaging our brains—from fragmented attention to a decline in deep thinking abilities. This episode explores the cognitive costs of accelerated viewing through neuroscience and behavioural studies, while sharing insights on balancing high efficiency with healthy learning practices.

Dec 12, 202512 min

Ep 199英语新闻丨全国首所“骑手学院”成立,助力外卖员技能提升

Thursday marked the opening of an institution of learning that aims to upskill over 100,000 delivery workers. China's first "rider academy" was launched in Guangdong province, in a move that reflects the authorities' push to support the expanding courier workforce.周四,一个旨在提升10万余名配送员技能的教育机构正式揭牌。中国首家“骑手学院”在广东成立,体现出政府对不断壮大的快递与配送群体的支持力度。Jointly established by the Guangdong provincial education authority and e-commerce giant JD, the Modern Grassroots Workers Academy, widely referred to as the "rider academy", was inaugurated at Guangzhou Polytechnic University, marking China's first dedicated vocational education platform for full-time delivery personnel.由广东省教育部门与电商巨头京东联合共建的“现代基层劳动者学院”(广称为“骑手学院”)在广州科技职业技术大学揭牌,成为国内首个面向专职配送人员的职业教育平台。Lin Rupeng, director of the Guangdong Department of Education, said the academy reflects Guangdong's push to link education and talent chains more closely with the province's industrial and innovation needs, while building stronger safeguards for workers in emerging forms of employment and empowering them for future changes in the job market.广东省教育厅厅长林如鹏表示,学院体现了广东将教育链、人才链与产业链、创新链深度融合的努力,同时为新就业形态劳动者提供更完善保障,帮助其适应未来就业市场变化。"Through the enabling power of education, we are opening a new pathway for the career development of delivery riders, and by bringing universities and enterprises together, we are creating a more dynamic model of industry-education integration," he said.他说:“通过教育赋能,我们为外卖骑手开辟职业发展新通道;通过高校与企业协同,我们正在打造更加活跃的产教融合模式。”According to Feng Lei, a senior executive with JD, the academy will rely on university facilities, training centers and teaching staff across Guangdong, with Guangzhou Polytechnic University serving as the core base and several other colleges running satellite training points. Over the next three years, it will train more than 100,000 full-time riders and frontline couriers whom JD employs in the province.京东高管冯蕾介绍称,学院将依托广东多所高校的设施、培训中心和师资力量,以广州科技职业技术大学为核心基地,并在多所院校设置培训点。未来三年,学院将在广东培训超过10万名京东全职骑手与一线配送员工。The curriculum is designed to be practical and closely aligned with industry needs and development. Riders will access courses including food safety, mental well-being and English. To prepare for emerging delivery technologies, a training base for drone operators and related high-tech roles will be established, and qualified riders could be channeled into positions such as warehouse supervisors or drone pilots.课程设计强调实用性,与行业需求高度契合。骑手将学习食品安全、心理健康、英语等课程。为应对配送科技发展,学院还将建设无人机操作等高技术岗位的培训基地,合格学员将有机会转岗为仓储主管或无人机驾驶员。Guo Shuzhao, a JD rider, said the courses are closely aligned with their day-to-day work, covering not only operational skills but also safety regulations and service standards.京东骑手郭树钊表示,课程内容与日常工作高度相关,不仅涵盖操作技能,还包括安全规范和服务标准。"By completing the training to get certificates, our opportunities for career advancement will increase significantly," he said.他说:“完成培训并取得证书后,我们的晋升机会会明显增加。”The initiative comes as delivery riders, couriers, online shop owners, livestream sellers and ride-hailing drivers, classified in China as new forms of employment, become increasingly central to urban life. There are already 84 million workers nationwide engaged in such employment, data from the All-China Federation of Trade Unions showed.该举措出台之际,随着外卖骑手、快递员、网店经营者、直播带货者、网约车司机等新就业形态劳动者在城市生活中日益重要,全国已有8400万劳动者从事相关工作(全国总工会数据)。The size of this workforce and the volatility it faces have prompted several provinces to introduce structured training programs. Jiangsu launched a three-year action plan in October to expand skills training for people in these new forms of employment, covering smart-device use, labor rights and e-commerce entrepreneurship.由于这一庞大群体面临就业波动,多地已出台系统培训计划。例如江苏省今年10月启动三年行动方案,涵盖智能设备使用、劳动权益、电子商务创业等内容。The launch of the rider academy also comes amid rapid advances in automated delivery. Companies such as Meituan have expanded drone routes in major cities like Shenzhen in Guangdong, while completing more than 520,000 orders nationwide by early 2025, data from Meituan showed.骑手学院的成立,也正值自动化配送迅速发展之际。美团等企业已在深圳等城市扩大无人机配送航线,截至2025年初已完成52万余单(美团数据)。While drones and robots may reduce labor costs, Feng Lei from JD said that drones and related delivery equipment and technologies will not completely substitute for delivery personnel.尽管无人机和机器人有助于降低成本,但冯蕾表示,它们不会完全取代配送人员。She said emerging technologies "raise the skill requirements rather than eliminate the need for riders". Delivery personnel increasingly need to operate intelligent order systems and collaborate with drones and robots to complete deliveries, she said.她指出,新技术“提升了岗位技能要求,而非消灭岗位本身”。骑手未来需要操作智能派单系统,并与无人机、机器人协同完成配送。Feng Lipan, an e-commerce associate professor at South China University of Technology in Guangzhou, said the new academy is precisely intended to prepare riders for that transition.华南理工大学电子商务系副教授冯立攀表示,新学院正是为骑手应对这一转型而设。"It will reshape the public's stereotypical perception of the delivery rider profession, transforming it into a skilled occupation recognized for both mental agility and technical expertise," he said.他说:“这将重

Dec 12, 20254 min

Ep 200英语新闻丨大陆谴责民进党当局封禁“小红书”

A Chinese mainland spokesman on Wednesday condemned Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party authorities for banning the mainland social media app RedNote, or Xiaohongshu, calling the move "an act against democracy" and driven by self-interest.中国大陆发言人周三谴责台湾民进党当局封禁大陆社交媒体应用“小红书”(RedNote),并称此举是“反民主行为”,受私利驱使。Chen Binhua, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a news conference that the DPP authorities' decision deprives people in Taiwan, especially young people, of their right to information and their freedom to use social media platforms.国务院台办发言人陈斌华在新闻发布会上表示,民进党当局的决定剥夺了台湾民众,尤其是年轻人的信息权和使用社交媒体平台的自由。The ban, announced on Dec 4, was imposed by Taiwan's "interior affairs department" for a year, citing alleged failures in "multiple cybersecurity indicators" and claims of "frequent fraud".该禁令于12月4日宣布,由台湾“内政部门”以所谓“多个网络安全指标不达标”和“频繁涉诈”为由,实施为期一年的封禁。Chen argued that RedNote allows people in Taiwan, especially young users, to learn about the mainland's real situation and interact positively with mainland netizens. This, he added, breaks through the "information cocoons" and long-standing slander about the mainland that the DPP authorities have deliberately cultivated.陈斌华指出,小红书让台湾民众,特别是年轻用户能够了解大陆真实情况,并与大陆网友积极互动,有助于打破民进党当局刻意营造的“信息茧房”和长期对大陆的抹黑叙事。"The DPP authorities claim they are 'combating fraud', but in reality they are acting 'against democracy'," he said, adding that the ban exposes their "inner fear and unease".他表示:“民进党当局声称在‘打击诈骗’,但实际上是在‘反民主’。”此举暴露了他们“内心的恐惧与不安”。Chen denounced the ban as a reckless action that tramples on democracy and restricts freedom. "It has also severely affected the livelihoods of those in Taiwan who rely on RedNote for income," he added.陈斌华谴责该禁令是践踏民主、限制自由的鲁莽行为,并补充说:“这也严重影响了依赖小红书谋生的台湾民众的生计。”According to reports, RedNote has more than 3 million users in Taiwan, 70 percent of whom were born after 1990. Following the announcement of the ban, downloads of the app surged, pushing RedNote to the top of Taiwan's social app download rankings on Sunday. The app is still available on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store, but it can only be used through a VPN.据报道,小红书在台湾拥有超过300万用户,其中70%为“90后”。禁令宣布后,应用下载量激增,使其在周日登上台湾社交类应用下载榜首。尽管小红书仍可在Google Play和苹果App Store下载,但只能通过VPN使用。Chen pointed to media reports showing that Facebook was involved in nearly 60,000 fraud cases last year and has already exceeded 30,000 cases this year, far more than the number attributed to RedNote by the DPP authorities.陈斌华引用媒体报道指出,Facebook去年涉诈近6万起,今年已超3万起,远高于民进党当局归因于小红书的数字。He further criticized the DPP authorities for opposing anything that Taiwan residents use and blocking anything popular among young people, from mainland-based shopping platforms and video sites to social media, saying the DPP has effectively become the "party of restricting people".他进一步批评民进党当局对台湾民众所用之物皆反对,对年轻人喜爱的热门应用皆加以封堵——从大陆购物平台、视频网站到社交媒体,称其事实上已成“限制人民的政党”。The ban has drawn widespread criticism across the island. Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, said the DPP's ban on RedNote is merely the first step toward building a "great firewall" under the guise of fighting fraud.该禁令在岛内引发广泛批评。中国国民党主席郑丽文表示,民进党以打诈为名封禁小红书,只是构建“防火长城”的第一步。She noted that the DPP authorities cannot tolerate the fact that on RedNote, users of different backgrounds can freely and amicably discuss topics ranging from beauty and fashion to everyday life.她指出,民进党当局无法容忍不同背景的用户在小红书上自由、友善地交流,从美妆、时尚到日常生活的各类话题。"The DPP authorities will inevitably face the consequences of their reckless actions," Chen said, adding that such regressive measures cannot stop the growing trend of people in Taiwan, especially young people, seeking to learn about and connect with their compatriots on the mainland.陈斌华表示:“民进党当局必将为其鲁莽行为承担后果。”他强调,这类倒退举措无法阻挡台湾民众,尤其是年轻人了解大陆、与大陆同胞交流的趋势。Condemn/kənˈdem/谴责self-interest/'self'intərist/私利information cocoon信息茧房regressive measures倒退举措

Dec 12, 20253 min

Ep 201英语新闻丨Airlines extend Japan ticket refunds as travel shifts

China's major airlines have extended free refund and rescheduling policies for Japan-bound tickets as weekly Sino-Japanese flight volumes sink to their lowest level in a month and Chinese travelers redirect their winter holiday plans toward emerging hubs in Russia, Central Asia and domestic ice-and-snow destinations.中国主要航空公司已延长日本航线机票的免费退改政策,因中日每周航班量跌至一个月来最低水平,中国旅客正将冬季度假计划转向俄罗斯、中亚新兴枢纽及国内冰雪旅游目的地。On Friday, major domestic airlines, including Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines, extended their previous Dec 31 deadline for refunds and rebooking to March 28 next year, the end of the winter-spring travel season.周五,包括中国国际航空、中国东方航空和中国南方航空在内的国内主要航空公司,将原定于12月31日的退票和改签截止日期延长至明年3月28日,即寒假春假出行高峰期的结束之日。The extensions follow China's travel advisories issued in mid-November discouraging trips to Japan after erroneous remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding China's Taiwan. Chinese airlines have since recalibrated capacity, with reductions concentrated in leisure-heavy routes.此次延长禁令源于中国11月中旬发布的旅行建议,该建议因日本首相高市早苗就中国台湾问题发表不当言论而劝阻赴日旅行。此后中国航空公司已调整运力配置,削减主要集中在休闲旅游为主的航线。Data from Flight Master, a travel services platform, show that round-trip Sino-Japanese flights fell to 1,167 during the week of Nov 24-30, the lowest weekly volume in a month, with the recovery rate sliding to 78.1 percent, a new low. As of Dec 1, the projected cancellation rate for Sino-Japanese flights scheduled in December rose to 26.4 percent, continuing an upward trend.旅行服务平台Flight Master数据显示,11月24日至30日当周中日往返航班量降至1167架次,创下一个月来最低周度水平,复航率滑落至78.1%,再创新低。截至12月1日,12月中日航班的预计取消率升至26.4%,持续呈上升趋势。Industry insiders said that the impact is likely to extend beyond the Spring Festival period, with aircraft redeployed to Southeast Asia and domestic routes.业内人士表示,该影响可能持续到春节假期之后,部分航班将被调往东南亚及国内航线。As travelers look beyond Japan for winter sports and seasonal scenery, travel demand is rising across a widening set of destinations. One of the most significant shifts is toward Russia following Moscow's decision to grant Chinese citizens visa-free entry for up to 30 days through Sept 14 next year.随着游客将目光投向日本以外的冬季运动和季节性景观,越来越多的目的地正迎来旅游需求增长。其中最显著的变化之一是俄罗斯旅游热潮,因为莫斯科宣布自即日起至明年9月14日,中国公民赴俄可享受最长30天的免签待遇。UTour, a Beijing-based travel agency, said inquiries doubled immediately after the policy took effect, driven largely by Spring Festival travel plans.北京优途天下国际旅行社表示,新规生效后咨询量立即翻倍,主要受春节出行计划推动。Huang Zhaoyang, the company's Russia product manager, said Murmansk, known for its aurora and ice-snow resources, is attracting attention under the new policy. Russia's overall appeal is expected to strengthen and help woo a wider range of Chinese travelers, he added.该公司俄罗斯产品经理黄朝阳(音译)表示,以极光和冰雪资源闻名的摩尔曼斯克在新政策下正吸引更多关注。他补充道,俄罗斯整体吸引力有望增强,有助于吸引更广泛的中国游客群体。Outbound travel is also pivoting notably toward Central Asia and Northern Europe, with Kazakhstan rapidly emerging as a winter sports hub. Tongcheng Travel data show that flight bookings from major Chinese cities to Kazakhstan between early December and the New Year holiday climbed more than 50 percent year-on-year, while hotel reservations climbed more than 80 percent, with Almaty and Astana ranking as top choices.出境游目的地也明显转向中亚和北欧地区,哈萨克斯坦正迅速崛起为冬季运动中心。同城旅游数据显示,12月初至新年假期期间,中国主要城市飞往哈萨克斯坦的机票预订量同比增长超50%,酒店预订量增幅更达80%以上,其中阿拉木图和阿斯塔纳成为最热门目的地。Analysts at Tongcheng's tourism research institute said the "Japan substitution effect" has accelerated since late November, with outbound ski demand that once concentrated on Japan increasingly shifting toward Kazakhstan and Nordic destinations. They added that domestic ski areas are also becoming popular alternatives to Japan's ski destinations.同程旅游研究院分析师指出,自11月下旬以来,“日本替代效应”持续加速,原先集中在日本的出境滑雪需求正逐步转向哈萨克斯坦及北欧目的地。他们补充道,国内滑雪场也正成为日本滑雪目的地的热门替代选择。European destinations are witnessing a similar upswing. Hotel bookings in Germany and Spain have increased by more than 300 percent year-on-year, while Denmark and Switzerland have posted gains exceeding 200 percent.欧洲旅游目的地也呈现出类似的增长态势。德国和西班牙的酒店预订量同比增幅超过300%,而丹麦和瑞士的增幅则超过200%。Domestically, local governments are racing to capture winter travelers through substantial incentives. Jilin province rolled out 100 million yuan ($14.1 million) in ice-snow vouchers and offered free ski passes to university students, while the Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous regions have introduced similar discounts.国内方面,地方政府正通过大幅优惠政策争相吸引冬季度假游客。吉林省推出价值1亿元(约合1410万美元)的冰雪消费券,并为大学生提供免费滑雪通行证;内蒙古和新疆维吾尔自治区也推出了类似的折扣政策。Qunar, a Beijing-based online travel agency, said hotel bookings in Xinjiang's Bortala region rose more than 80 percent year-on-year from November to late January of 2026, while reservations in the northeastern cities of Dandong, Liaoning province, Liaoyuan, Jilin province and Yichun, Heilongjiang province, each grew around 30 percent.北京在线旅游平台途牛旅游网表示,2026年11月至次年1月底期间,新疆博尔塔拉地区的酒店预订量同比增长逾80%,而东北地区辽宁省丹东市、吉林省辽源市及黑龙江省伊春市的酒店预订量均增长约30%。Demand for trips to glaciers and snow mountains has also surged, with ticket bookings for sites such as Meili Snow Mountain in Yunnan prov

Dec 11, 20255 min

Ep 202英语新闻丨美联储降息25个基点

The US Federal Reserve on Wednesday decided to lower the target range for the federal funds interest rate by 25 basis points to 3.5 to 3.75 percent, marking its third rate cut this year.华盛顿电——美国联邦储备委员会周三决定将联邦基金利率目标区间下调25个基点至3.5%至3.75%,这是美联储今年第三次降息。The latest move was widely anticipated, making it the third rate cut in a row since the Federal Open Market Committee monetary policy meeting in September.此举早有预兆,自联邦公开市场委员会9月货币政策会议以来,这已是连续第三次降息。"Uncertainty about the economic outlook remains elevated. The Committee is attentive to the risks to both sides of its dual mandate and judges that downside risks to employment rose in recent months," the Fed said in a statement.美联储在声明中表示:“经济前景的不确定性依然较高。委员会密切关注其双重使命中就业和物价稳定两方面的风险,并判断近几个月就业面临的下行风险有所上升。”The statement also noted moderate economic expansion, a higher unemployment rate, elevated inflation and more recent indicators consistent with those developments.该声明还指出,经济呈现温和扩张态势,失业率上升,通胀率攀升,近期各项指标也印证了这些发展态势。The slowdown in job creation and rise of unemployment rate in recent months prompted the Federal Reserve to resume cutting rates in September, though inflation remained near 1 percentage point higher than the Fed's target of 2 percent.近几个月就业增长放缓和失业率上升,促使美联储于9月重启降息,尽管通胀率仍比美联储2%的目标高出近1个百分点。Data recently issued by Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) showed that US private companies cut 32,000 workers in November, defying economists' expectations for an increase of 40,000 for the month.自动数据处理公司(ADP)最新数据显示,美国私营企业11月裁员3.2万人,与经济学家预期当月将增加4万个就业岗位的预测相悖。Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees lost 120,000 jobs in November, while mid-sized and large establishments continued to add jobs in the period, according to ADP.ADP数据显示,11月员工少于50人的小型企业裁减了12万个岗位,而中型和大型企业在此期间持续增加就业岗位。US policymakers face extraordinary challenges as the 43-day federal government shutdown not only worsened the job markets but also disrupted the collection of macroeconomic data.美国政策制定者正面临前所未有的挑战,因为持续43天的联邦政府停摆不仅加剧了就业市场困境,还导致宏观经济数据收集工作陷入停滞。The US Bureau of Labor Statistics is scheduled to release the employment data for November on Dec 16, and the unemployment data for October will not be available due to the partial government shutdown in October and early November.美国劳工统计局定于12月16日发布11月就业数据,由于10月至11月初政府部分停摆,10月失业数据将无法公布。

Dec 11, 20252 min

Ep 203英语新闻丨民进党当局封禁小红书一年,国台办回应

The Democratic Progressive Party authorities have banned the mainland social media app RedNote, or Xiaohongshu, out of self-interest, depriving the people of Taiwan of their right to information and to freely use social media platforms, a Chinese mainland spokesman said on Wednesday.中国大陆发言人周三表示,民进党当局出于私利,禁止大陆社交媒体使用小红书,剥夺了台湾民众获取信息和自由使用社交媒体平台的权利。Responding to the DPP authorities' recent decision to ban RedNote, Chen Binhua, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a news conference that although the DPP claims the move is aimed at "combating fraud", it is in fact "an act against democracy".针对民进党当局近期决定禁止小红书,国务院台湾事务办公室发言人陈斌华在记者会上表示,尽管民进党声称此举旨在“打击欺诈”,但实际上却是“反民主行为”。Chen said that through RedNote, people in Taiwan, especially young users, learn about the mainland's real situation and engage positively with mainland netizens. This, he noted, breaks through the "information cocoons" and long-standing slander against the mainland that the DPP authorities have deliberately fostered.陈斌华表示,通过小红书平台,台湾民众特别是年轻用户能够了解大陆真实情况,并与大陆网民积极互动。他指出,这有效打破了民进党当局刻意营造的“信息茧房”以及长期以来对大陆的污蔑。On Dec 4, the DPP authorities imposed a one-year ban on RedNote, which has more than 3 million users in Taiwan, 70 percent of whom were born in the 1990s. The authorities cited reasons such as "failing multiple cybersecurity indicators" and "frequent fraud".12月4日,台湾当局对拥有逾300万用户的社交平台小红书实施为期一年的禁令,其中70%用户为90后。当局以“多项网络安全指标不合格”以及“频繁发生诈骗行为”等理由作出禁令。Chen condemned the ban as a reckless act that tramples on democracy, restricts freedom, and deprives the people of Taiwan, especially young people, of their right to information and to access social media platforms freely. "It has also seriously affected the livelihoods of those in Taiwan who depend on RedNote for income," he added.陈斌华谴责这项禁令是践踏民主、限制自由的鲁莽行径,剥夺了台湾民众——尤其是年轻一代——获取信息和自由使用社交媒体平台的权利。他补充道:“此举还严重影响了台湾地区依赖小红书平台谋生的从业者的生计。”Citing media reports, Chen pointed out that Facebook was involved in nearly 60,000 fraud cases last year and has already surpassed 30,000 cases this year, far exceeding the number of incidents attributed to RedNote by the DPP authorities.陈斌华援引媒体报道指出,脸书去年涉及近六万宗诈骗案件,今年迄今已突破三万宗,远超民进党当局归咎于小红书的案件数量。Chen criticized the DPP authorities for opposing anything used by the people of Taiwan and blocking anything popular among young people—from shopping platforms and video sites to social media platforms from the mainland—saying the DPP has effectively become the "party of restricting people".陈斌华批评民进党当局反对台湾民众使用的任何事物,阻挠年轻人喜爱的任何平台——从购物平台、视频网站到大陆社交媒体平台——称民进党已实质上成为“限制人民的政党”。"The DPP authorities will inevitably face the consequences of their reckless actions," Chen said, adding that such regressive measures cannot halt the growing trend of people in Taiwan, especially young people, seeking to learn about and connect with their compatriots on the mainland.陈斌华表示,民进党当局终将为其鲁莽行径付出代价,并强调此类倒退措施无法阻挡台湾民众——尤其是年轻人——日益增长的了解大陆同胞、与之建立联系的趋势。

Dec 11, 20252 min

Ep 204英语新闻丨中国外交部:事实已经充分证明日本在台湾问题上完全站不住脚

Given Japan's colonial rule over Taiwan from 1895 to 1945, which inflicted atrocities on the Chinese people, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has nonetheless attempted to exploit the Taiwan question to provoke trouble and threaten China militarily, which is "utterly intolerable", Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.中国外交部长王毅表示,鉴于日本在1895年至1945年间对台湾的殖民统治给中国人民带来了深重灾难,日本首相高市早苗却仍企图利用台湾问题挑衅生事、在军事上威胁中国,这种行径“完全不可容忍”。In his talks with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in Beijing on Monday, Wang referred to Takaichi's recent provocative remarks in parliament about Taiwan, saying that the one-China principle is an important political foundation for China-Germany relations, and there is no room for ambiguity.王毅在周一与来访的德国外长约翰·瓦德普福举行会谈时指出,高市早苗近日在日本国会发表涉台挑衅言论。王毅强调,一个中国原则是中德关系的重要政治基础,不容含糊。He noted that unlike Germany, Japan has yet to conduct a thorough reflection in the past eight decades since the end of World War II on its history of aggression.王毅指出,与德国不同,日本在二战结束八十年来一直未能对其侵略历史进行彻底反省。Wadephul said Germany remains firmly committed to the one-China policy, and this position will not change.瓦德普福表示,德国始终坚定奉行一个中国政策,这一立场不会改变。During the talks, Wang said that Taiwan has been part of China since ancient times, and he elaborated on a seven-point fact list that clearly supports this position and records Tokyo's past official commitments regarding Taiwan.会谈中,王毅重申台湾自古以来就是中国的一部分,并列举了七项事实,既明确支持这一立场,也记录了日方过去在台湾问题上的正式承诺。The Cairo Declaration issued in 1943 stated that all the territories Japan had stolen from China, such as Taiwan, should be restored to China. Article 8 of the Potsdam Proclamation in 1945 stipulated that the terms of the Cairo Declaration will be carried out.1943年发布的《开罗宣言》明确规定,日本从中国窃取的所有领土(包括台湾)必须归还中国。1945年《波茨坦公告》第八条明确要求执行《开罗宣言》的所有条款。In 1945, Japan surrendered unconditionally, the Japanese emperor committed to faithfully fulfilling the provisions of the Potsdam Proclamation, and the then Chinese government announced resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Taiwan on Oct 25, 1945.1945年日本无条件投降,日本天皇承诺忠实履行《波茨坦公告》的规定。同年10月25日,中国政府宣布恢复对台湾行使主权。In 1971, the 26th session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 to restore all rights to the People's Republic of China, and the UN's official legal opinion confirms that Taiwan is a province of China, Wang said.王毅指出,1971年联合国大会第二十六届会议通过2758号决议,恢复中华人民共和国在联合国的一切合法权利;联合国的正式法律意见也确认台湾是中国的一个省。According to the China-Japan Joint Statement of 1972, the Chinese government "reiterates that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the PRC", and "the government of Japan fully understands and respects this stand". The 1978 Treaty of Peace and Friendship Between China and Japan confirmed that the principles set forth in the 1972 Joint Statement should be strictly observed.根据1972年《中日联合声明》,中国政府“重申台湾是中华人民共和国领土不可分割的一部分”,日本政府则“充分理解并尊重这一立场”。1978年《中日和平友好条约》进一步确认应严格遵守联合声明所确立的原则。As a defeated nation in World War II, Japan "should have undertaken profound reflection and acted with greater caution", as this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-1945), Wang said.王毅表示,作为二战战败国,日本理应深刻反省并更加谨慎。今年正值中国人民抗日战争胜利(1931—1945)80周年,日本更应有所警醒。He also said that attempts to seek "Taiwan independence" mean splitting China's territory, and supporting "Taiwan independence" amounts to interference in China's internal affairs, which violates China's Constitution as well as international law.他强调,谋求“台独”就是分裂中国领土,支持“台独”就是干涉中国内政,这既违反中国宪法,也违反国际法。The Chinese people, together with all peace-loving people around the world, bear the responsibility to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and they also have the obligation to prevent Japan from remilitarization and attempting to revive militaristic ambitions, he added.王毅补充说,中国人民以及全世界热爱和平的人们都有责任维护《联合国宪章》的宗旨和原则,也有义务防止日本重新军事化、阻止其重燃军国主义野心。"By linking the Taiwan question to Japan's 'survival-threatening situation', Takaichi and the conservative, right-wing forces behind her have stoked security anxiety among part of the Japanese public and politicians," said Wang Peng, a research fellow at Huazhong University of Science and Technology's Institute of State Governance.华中科技大学国家治理研究院研究员王鹏指出,高市早苗及其身后的保守右翼势力将台湾问题与所谓“生存危机情况”相挂钩,煽动了日本部分公众和政界的安全焦虑。This helps to pave the way for further lifting postwar legislative restrictions on Japan's military buildup and escalate tension in the Taiwan Strait, he said.他表示,这将为进一步突破日本战后军事限制铺路,并加剧台海局势紧张。Jeffrey Sachs, a professor and director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University in the United States, said in a lecture at the University of South Africa last month that "China went for a thousand years without once invading Japan, a near neighbor, even though China was much more powerful.美国哥伦比亚大学可持续发展中心主任、教授杰弗里·萨克斯上月在南非大学的演讲中指出:“中国在长达一千年的历史中,从未侵略过近邻日本,即便中国一直更为强大。”"The Japanese actually sadly invaded China many times, but never the other way around," he added.他补充说:“遗憾的是,侵略中国的一直是日本,而从未反之。”Foreign

Dec 10, 20254 min

Ep 205英语新闻丨神舟二十一号航天员完成首次出舱活动并安装防碎片防护装置

The Shenzhou XXI crew aboard China's Tiangong space station conducted their first spacewalk on Tuesday, according to the China Manned Space Agency.据中国载人航天工程办公室消息,神舟二十一号乘组周二在中国空间站“天宫”完成了首次出舱活动。Mission commander Senior Colonel Zhang Lu and spaceflight engineer Major Wu Fei returned to the Wentian science module at 6:45 pm after working for approximately eight hours outside the orbital outpost, the agency said.据介绍,任务指令长、空军大校张陆及航天飞行工程师、少校武飞在舱外工作约八小时后,于下午6时45分返回问天实验舱。Payload specialist Zhang Hongzhang, the third member of the Shenzhou XXI mission, stayed inside Tiangong to provide support.本次任务的第三名航天员、载荷专家张洪章全程在“天宫”舱内提供支持。Assisted by a team on Earth and the space station's robotic arm, the astronauts completed all assigned extravehicular tasks, including installing space debris shields and replacing old instruments with new ones.在地面团队和空间站机械臂的协助下,航天员顺利完成全部出舱任务,包括安装防护太空碎片的装置以及更换老旧设备。They also checked and photographed the windows of the Shenzhou XX spaceship's reentry capsule, one of which was damaged by a tiny piece of space debris, leading to the delayed return of the Shenzhou XX crew, the agency said.他们还检查并拍摄了神舟二十号返回舱的舷窗,其中一扇舷窗曾被微小太空碎片击伤,导致神舟二十号乘组的归航被推迟。This was the 25th spacewalk carried out by Chinese astronauts. Wu, 32, became the youngest Chinese astronaut to carry out extravehicular activities to date. The record was earlier held by Lieutenant Colonel Tang Shengjie, who made his first spacewalk at age 34.这次出舱活动是中国航天员完成的第25次舱外活动。现年32岁的武飞成为迄今为止执行出舱任务的最年轻中国航天员,此前纪录由唐胜杰保持,他首次出舱时年仅34岁。The Shenzhou XXI astronauts are conducting China's 16th manned spaceflight and comprise the 10th group of residents aboard Tiangong, which is currently the only operational space station independently run by a single nation.神舟二十一号乘组执行的是中国第16次载人飞行任务,并成为“天宫”空间站的第10批驻留航天员。天宫目前是全球唯一由单一国家独立运营的在轨空间站。The three astronauts have been aboard the colossal orbital outpost for nearly 40 days since arriving on Nov 1. They have examined instruments and carried out necessary maintenance work, checked emergency-response materials, and conducted emergency drills and robotic arm training.自11月1日进驻巨大轨道空间站以来,这三名航天员已在轨工作近40天。他们期间检查设备、进行必要维修、核查应急物资,并开展应急处置演练和机械臂操作训练。The crew members will conduct additional spacewalks and scientific tasks and, if necessary and feasible, they may also repair the broken viewport window on the Shenzhou XX spacecraft, the agency said.据介绍,乘组后续还将开展更多出舱活动和科学实验任务,并将在必要且可行的情况下尝试修复神舟二十号飞船破损的舷窗。payload specialist载荷专家space debris shields防太空碎片防护装置reentry capsule返回舱viewport window舷窗

Dec 10, 20252 min

Ep 206英语新闻丨X被罚款1.2亿欧元,马斯克回应

The European Union has once again underlined its willingness to stand up to big technology companies after its executive arm, the European Commission, fined Elon Musk's social media platform X 120 million euros ($140 million) forbreaches of the bloc's digital regulations, known as the Digital Services Act.欧盟再次强调其对抗科技巨头的决心。欧盟执行机构欧盟委员会以违反《数字服务法》为由,对埃隆·马斯克旗下的社交媒体平台X处以1.2亿欧元(约合1.4亿美元)罚款。The 27-member bloc has had frequentrun-ins with several of the United States-based technology companies that dominate the digital landscape, over issues including market share and monopolies, but this particular case relates to noncompliance with rules on transparency about harmful or illegal content.这个由27个成员国组成的集团,在市场份额和垄断等问题上,曾多次与主导数字领域的多家美国科技公司发生冲突,但此案涉及的是违反关于有害或非法内容透明度规则的行为。The areas where the EU found shortcomings include excessive delays in providing information about advert placers, exposing X users to potentially misleading or false information, the placing of unnecessary barriers in the way of accessing public data, and blue tick accounts.欧盟发现存在缺陷的领域包括:提供广告投放者信息时过度延迟、使X用户暴露于可能误导性或虚假信息中、在获取公共数据时设置不必要的障碍,以及蓝勾认证账户问题。Under the company's former name of Twitter, a blue tick was a badge of verification of the account owner, and was particularly used by trusted or authoritative names and organizations.在该公司原名Twitter时期,蓝色认证标记是账户所有者的身份验证徽章,尤其用于可信赖或权威的个人及机构。Since the company was bought and rebranded by Musk in 2022, blue ticks have been available to anyone who pays, with no real effort made to verify the account holder, opening users up to the danger of misleading information.自2022年该公司被马斯克收购并更名后,付费用户即可获得蓝标认证,且平台并未真正努力核实账户持有者身份,这使得用户面临被误导信息的风险。A year ago, the European Federation of Journalists left X, saying the site "no longer serves the public interest at all, but the particular ideological and financial interests of its owner and his political allies", adding that it had become "the preferredvector for conspiracy theories, racism, far-right ideas and misogynistic rhetoric".一年前,欧洲记者联合会宣布退出X平台,称该网站“已完全背离公共利益,沦为其所有者及其政治盟友谋取特定意识形态和经济利益的工具”,并指出该平台已成为“阴谋论、种族主义、极右翼思想和厌女言论的首选传播载体”。Musk, who was born in South Africa and became a United States citizen in 2002, has previously used his own blue tick account to speak in support of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany party, pay legal costs for other far-right activists, post statements such as "civil war in Britain is inevitable, just a question of when", and reshare images combining the EU flag with that of Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party.马斯克出生于南非,2002年入籍美国。他曾利用自己的蓝标认证账号公开支持德国极右翼政党“德国选择党”,为其他极右翼活动人士支付法律费用,发布诸如“英国内战不可避免,只是时间问题”等言论,并转发将欧盟旗帜与希特勒纳粹党徽拼接的图片。He was a close associate of US President Donald Trump, and several of Trump's inner circle joined him in his criticism of the commission's actions. Even before the ruling had been announced, US Vice-President JD Vance said X was being fined "for not engaging in censorship…The EU should be supporting free speech not attacking American companies over garbage".他是美国总统唐纳德·特朗普的亲密盟友,特朗普的几位核心幕僚也加入了他的行列,共同批评该委员会的行动。在裁决宣布之前,美国副总统詹姆斯·戴维·万斯就表示,X平台被罚款是因为“拒绝参与审查制度……欧盟应该支持言论自由,而不是因无谓之事攻击美国企业”。US Secretary of State Marco Rubio likened the fine to an attack by foreign government on the American people.美国国务卿马可·卢比奥将这笔罚款比作外国政府对美国人民的攻击。"The days of censoring Americans online are over," he added.他补充道:“审查美国人上网的日子已经一去不复返了。”But commission spokesman Thomas Regnier denied there was anything personal about the ruling, saying it was "not targeting anyone, not targeting any company, not targeting anyjurisdictions based on their color or their country of origin, absolutely not. This is based on a process, democratic process".但委员会发言人托马斯·雷尼尔否认该裁决存在任何个人因素,称其“绝非针对任何个人、任何公司或任何司法管辖区,更非基于其肤色或原籍国。这完全基于民主程序的运作”。breachv./briːtʃ/违反jurisdictionn./ˌdʒʊr.ɪsˈdɪk.ʃən/管辖范围run-insn./ˈrʌn.ɪn/冲突vectorn./ˈvek.tɚ/载体;传播媒介

Dec 10, 20253 min

Ep 207英语新闻丨2026年积极财政政策强调

China will continue exerting a "more proactive" fiscal policy and "moderately loose" monetary policy next year, as it strives to promote "effective qualitative improvement" and "reasonable quantitative growth" in its economy, according to a key Party leadership meeting on Monday.周一召开的党内重要领导会议指出,中国明年将继续实施“更加积极”的财政政策和“适度宽松”的货币政策,着力促进经济实现“质的有效提升”和“量的合理增长”。The meeting was convened by the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee to analyze and study the country's economic work in 2026. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting.中共中央政治局召开会议,分析研究2026年全国经济工作。中共中央总书记习近平主持会议。The decision-making body of the Party emphasized that the country would adhere to the overarching principle of "seeking progress while maintaining stability", and better coordinate domestic economic work and endeavors in the international economic and trade arena, as well as development and security, according to a statement released after the meeting.根据会后发表的声明,党的决策机构强调,国家将坚持“稳中求进”的总方针,更好地统筹国内经济工作与国际经济贸易领域的工作,以及发展与安全。While noting the importance of implementing more proactive and effective macroeconomic policies, the decision-making body highlighted the need to enhance the foresight, targeting and synergy of policies.决策机构在强调实施更积极、更有效的宏观经济政策的重要性时,同时指出需要增强政策的预见性、针对性和协同性。It called for continuous efforts to expand domestic demand and optimize supply, develop new quality productive forces tailored to local conditions, advance the construction of a unified national market in greater depth, and prevent and defuse risks in key areas, the statement said.声明指出,要持续努力扩大内需、优化供给,发展适应本地条件的新质生产力,更深入地推进全国统一市场建设,并在重点领域防范化解风险。Efforts should be made to stabilize employment, enterprises, markets and expectations to maintain social harmony and stability, and ensure a good start for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period, the statement added.声明补充道,应努力稳定就业、企业、市场和预期,以维护社会和谐稳定,确保第十五个五年规划(2026-2030年)时期开局良好。It was noted at the meeting that counter-cyclical and cross-cyclical adjustments should be strengthened to effectively enhance the efficiency of macroeconomic governance.会议指出,应加强逆周期和跨周期调节,切实提升宏观经济治理效能。The meeting called for building a robust domestic market by expanding domestic demand, stepping up fostering new growth drivers by promoting innovation-driven development, enhancing the momentum and vitality of high-quality growth by deepening reform, and bolstering win-win cooperation across various fields by adhering to opening-up.会议强调,要通过扩大内需来建设强劲的国内市场,通过推动创新驱动发展来培育新的增长引擎,通过深化改革来增强高质量发展的动能和活力,并通过坚持开放来促进各领域共赢合作。The meeting also underlined the need to promote urban-rural integration and coordinated development across the regions, drive green transformation on all fronts, prioritize people's livelihoods, and bear in mind the worst-case scenarios to resolve risks in key areas in a proactive and prudent manner.会议还强调,要推进城乡融合发展和区域协调发展,全面推进绿色转型,着力改善民生,并以最坏的情况为准备,积极审慎化解重点领域的风险。During the meeting, a set of regulations on the CPC's leadership over law-based governance in all respects was reviewed.会议审议通过了《中共中央全面依法治国领导条例》。Historically, the Political Bureau's December meeting has been closely followed by the annual Central Economic Work Conference, which typically sets the tone for economic work in the year ahead.历年来,中共中央政治局12月会议之后紧接着召开的中央经济工作会议,通常为来年经济工作定下基调。China's gross domestic product grew 5.2 percent year-on-year in the first three quarters of 2025 despite rising external headwinds, and attention is now shifting to next year, the start of China's 15th Five-Year Plan period.尽管外部逆风加剧,中国2025年前三季度国内生产总值同比增长5.2%,目前关注焦点正转向明年——中国第十五个五年规划周期的开端。Ahead of Monday's Political Bureau meeting, the CPC Central Committee held a symposium with non-CPC personages on Wednesday in Beijing to solicit their opinions and suggestions on this year's economic situation and economic work for 2026.在周一政治局会议召开前夕,中共中央上周三在北京召开非党人士座谈会,听取他们对今年经济形势和2026年经济工作的意见建议。At the symposium, representatives of non-CPC personages gave their suggestions on a number of issues, including optimizing industrial layout, expanding domestic demand and high-standard opening-up, enhancing people's well-being, and boosting high-quality employment.在座谈会上,非党代表人士就优化产业布局、扩大内需和高标准开放、提升民生福祉、促进高质量就业等若干问题提出了建议。Xi presided over the symposium and delivered an important speech. He emphasized that the supporting conditions and fundamental trend for long-term economic growth in China remain unchanged.习近平主席主持座谈会并发表重要讲话。他强调,中国经济长期向好的基本面没有改变,支撑经济持续增长的条件没有改变。He called for remaining confident, leveraging China's strengths and tackling challenges, and working to consolidate and expand the positive momentum in the economic upturn in order to make a good start in implementing the 15th Five-Year Plan.习近平主席呼吁保持信心,发挥中国优势,应对挑战,努力巩固和扩大经济复苏的积极势头,为实施十五规划开好头。He said that the CPC Central Committee had implemented more proactive and effective macro policies this year, and the main goals for economic and social development are expected to be accomplished.习近平主席表示,中共中央今年实施了更积极、更有效的宏观政策,经济社会发展主要目标有望实现。Xi

Dec 9, 20255 min

Ep 208英语新闻丨法院判决马航MH370遇难者家属每人获赔290万元

A court in Beijing delivered the first-instance judgment on Monday on the compensation claims lawsuits filed by some families of the missing passengers of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 — awarding eight families 2.9 million yuan ($409,813) each in damages.北京一家法院周一对马来西亚航空MH370航班部分失踪乘客家属提起的赔偿诉讼作出一审判决,判令赔偿八户家庭各290万元人民币(约合409,813美元)。The disappearance of MH370 occurred on March 8, 2014, when the Boeing 777 carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew vanished en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing Capital International Airport in one of aviation's biggest mysteries. About two-thirds of the passengers on the flight were Chinese. There were also Malaysian, French, Australian, Indonesian, Indian, American, Ukrainian and Canadian nationals, among others, aboard the plane.马航MH370航班于2014年3月8日失踪,这架载有227名乘客和12名机组人员的波音777客机在从吉隆坡飞往北京首都国际机场途中消失,成为航空史上最大的谜团之一。机上约三分之二乘客为中国籍,另有马来西亚、法国、澳大利亚、印度尼西亚、印度、美国、乌克兰、加拿大等国公民。On Jan 19, 2015, the Malaysian government issued a statement officially declaring the crash of Flight MH370 an accident and presumed all 239 people on board deceased.2015年1月19日,马来西亚政府发表声明,正式宣布马航MH370航班坠毁为空难,并推定机上239人全部遇难。In 2016, the families of 75 missing passengers filed lawsuits against Malaysia Airlines and Malaysia Airlines Berhad among other defendants, seeking compensation for losses, the establishment of a search and rescue fund, and other claims, resulting in a total of 78 cases.2016年,75名失踪乘客的家属向马来西亚航空公司、马来西亚航空有限公司等被告提起诉讼,要求赔偿损失、设立搜救基金并提出其他诉求,共计78起案件。During the trial, with multiple rounds of mediation hosted by the court, the families of passengers in 47 cases reached settlements with the defendants and withdrew their lawsuits. The current judgment pertains to eight cases involving eight passengers, all of whom have been legally declared dead.在庭审期间,经法院主持的多轮调解,47起案件的乘客家属与被告达成和解并撤回诉讼。本次判决涉及8起案件,涉及8名乘客,均已被依法宣告死亡。In accordance with the Montreal Convention and relevant Chinese laws, the court ordered Malaysia Airlines and Malaysia Airlines Berhad to compensate each passenger's family for death compensation, funeral expenses, mental anguish damages, and other losses and related costs, totaling over 2.9 million yuan per case.根据《蒙特利尔公约》及中国相关法律,法院判决马来西亚航空公司及马来西亚航空有限公司向每位遇难者家属支付死亡赔偿金、丧葬费、精神损害赔偿金及其他损失和相关费用,每案赔偿金额均超过290万元人民币。The remaining 23 cases involve families who have not yet applied for or completed the legal procedure to declare the passengers deceased, and these cases remain under judicial review.其余23宗案件涉及尚未申请或完成宣告乘客死亡法律程序的家庭,这些案件仍处于司法审查阶段。The search for Flight MH370 will resume on Dec 30, Malaysia's transport ministry said on Wednesday.马来西亚交通部周三表示,对马航MH370航班的搜寻工作将于12月30日恢复。Marine robotics company Ocean Infinity will resume seabed search operations intermittently for a total of 55 days, the ministry said in a statement.马来西亚交通部在声明中表示:海洋机器人公司“海洋无限”将间歇性恢复海底搜索作业,总计持续55天。"The search will be carried out in the targeted area assessed to have the highest probability of locating the aircraft, in accordance with the service agreement entered between the government of Malaysia and Ocean Infinity on March 25, 2025," it said, adding that the Malaysian government remains committed to providing closure to the affected families.声明称:“根据马来西亚政府与海洋无限公司于2025年3月25日签署的服务协议,搜寻工作将在经评估为发现失事飞机概率最高的重点区域展开。”声明同时强调,马来西亚政府始终致力于为受影响家庭寻求真相。Montreal Convention《蒙特利尔公约》seabedn./ˈsiː.bed/海底;海床intermittentlyadv./ˌɪn.t̬ɚˈmɪt.ənt.li/间歇地

Dec 9, 20253 min

Ep 209英语新闻|为香港的善治投票

The election of the eighth-term Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Sunday marks another important moment in the SAR's steady advance toward high-quality democracy under the guiding principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong".香港特别行政区第八届立法会选举于周日举行,标志着香港在”爱国者治港”的指导原则下,朝着高质量民主稳步前进的又一重要时刻。This is the second LegCo election since the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress amended Hong Kong's electoral system in March 2021 to ensure the full and faithful implementation of the principle of Hong Kong should be governed by Hong Kong people, with patriots as the main body.这是自2021年3月全国人民代表大会常务委员会修订香港选举制度以来举行的第二次立法会选举,旨在确保全面准确贯彻”港人治港、爱国者担任主体”的原则。The improved electoral system has enabled the formation of a legislature that is broadly representative, politically inclusive and balanced in participation—characteristics that align with Hong Kong's actual circumstances and governance needs. The current LegCo consists of 90 seats, with 40 returned by the Election Committee constituency, 30 by functional constituencies, and 20 by geographical constituencies through direct elections. This structure, which has functioned smoothly since the reform was implemented, enhances both representation and efficiency, reflecting the interests of all segments of Hong Kong society and the SAR as a whole.经改进的选举制度使立法机构能够广泛代表社会各界,在政治上具有包容性,并在参与方面保持平衡——这些特点符合香港的实际情况和治理需求。现行立法会由90个席位组成,其中40席由选举委员会界别选举产生,30席由功能界别选举产生,20席由地方选区通过直接选举产生。自改革实施以来,这一架构运行顺畅,既增强了代表性又提高了效率,充分反映了香港社会各阶层及整个特别行政区的利益。This year's LegCo election is competitive. A total of 161 candidates—including senior academics, Olympic champions, managers of small and medium-sized enterprises, cultural workers, community organizers and rising professionals from innovation and technology sectors—are vying for the 90 seats. According to the Electoral Affairs Commission of Hong Kong, 51 nominations were received for geographical constituencies, 60 for functional constituencies, and 50 for the Election Committee constituency. That means competition is particularly strong in geographical constituencies, where 51 candidates are contesting 20 seats, ensuring that no one can "win easily" and that the LegCo election returns to its essence: selecting the virtuous and capable based on political platform, professionalism and service commitment.今年的立法会选举竞争激烈。共有161名候选人,包括资深学者、奥运冠军、中小企业管理者、文化工作者、社区组织者以及创新科技领域的新锐专业人士等,角逐90个席位。据香港选举事务委员会统计,地方选区收到51份提名,功能界别60份,选举委员会界别50份。这意味着地方选区的竞争尤为激烈,51名候选人角逐20个席位,使得无人能“轻松获胜”,使立法会选举回归本质:依据政治纲领、专业素养及服务承诺选拔贤能之士。More than 600 polling stations, including newly added ones at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge checkpoint and Hong Kong International Airport, have made voting more convenient, further highlighting the people-oriented and pragmatic nature of Hong Kong's electoral arrangements.超过600个投票站,包括港珠澳大桥口岸和香港国际机场新增的投票站,使投票更加便捷,进一步彰显了香港选举安排以民为本、务实高效的特点。The broad diversity of candidates and political platforms—ranging from innovation and technology, finance, medical services and housing, to youth development, labor rights, district administration and integration into national strategies—demonstrates that the new electoral system not only upholds the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" but also provides a wider stage for patriots of different backgrounds to contribute fresh ideas and practical solutions. As LegCo President Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen noted, the candidates' varied expertise will inject new dynamism into the legislature and bring a renewed vitality to policymaking.候选人和政治纲领的广泛多样性,从创新科技、金融、医疗服务和住房,到青年发展、劳工权益、地区行政和融入国家战略都表明新选举制度不仅坚持了“爱国者治港”的原则,也为不同背景的爱国人士提供了更广阔的舞台,让他们贡献新思路和切实可行的解决方案。正如立法会主席梁君彦所言,候选人多元化的专业背景将为立法机构注入新活力,为政策制定带来新气象。The election carries special significance in light of the recent deadly fire in Tai Po. Voters in the district, including those directly affected, said that participating in the election is an active commitment to rebuilding their homes and strengthening Hong Kong's resilience.鉴于近期大埔发生的致命火灾,此次选举具有特殊意义。该区选民,包括直接受灾者,表示参与选举是重建家园、增强香港韧性的积极承诺。Eric Chan Kwok-ki, chief secretary for the Hong Kong SAR government, stressed that electing capable and aspirational LegCo members is essential for post-disaster reconstruction and to maintaining the continuity and effectiveness of governance. From Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu's repeated calls for civil servants to set an example, to large enterprises granting time off for employees to vote, and patriotic groups on the mainland organizing members to return to Hong Kong to cast their ballots, society's strong support has created an enthusiastic election atmosphere.香港特别行政区政府政务司司长陈国基强调,选举出有能力、有抱负的立法会议员,对灾后重建以及维持管治的连续性和有效性至关重要。从行政长官李家超多次呼吁公务员带头示范,到大型企业为员工安排投票假期,再到内地爱国团体组织成员返港投票,社会各界的鼎力支持营造出热烈的选举氛围。The four-year term of the eighth Legislative Council will largely overlap with the implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) of the country. As Hong Kong enters a new stage of transitioning from stability to prosperity, the new LegCo will shoulder heavy

Dec 9, 20254 min

Ep 210英语新闻丨香港特别行政区举行立法机关选举

Voters across the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region cast their ballots in the Legislative Council election on Sunday to pick 90 lawmakers who will serve in office for the next four years.香港特别行政区选民周日参与立法会选举投票,选出90名议员,任期四年。A total of 161nominees are in the fray for all 90 seats—20 seats from 10 geographical constituencies, 30 from 28 functional constituencies and 40 from the Election Committee Constituency.共有161名候选人角逐全部90个席位——其中10个地方选区选举20席;28个功能界别选举30席;选举委员会界别选举40席。The election, which is a key part of the city'srevamped local governance structure, saw active participation of voters from across society. The authorities set up 612 polling stations, primarily located in schools, community facilities and government buildings.此次选举是本市改革后地方治理结构的重要组成部分,吸引了社会各界选民的积极参与。政府共设立612个投票站,主要设在学校、社区设施和政府大楼内。Voting began at 7:30 am and ended at 11:30 pm, two hours longer than in previous elections. As of 10:30 pm on Sunday, the cumulativevoter turnout in the geographical constituencies stood at 31.43 percent—higher than the 30.2 percent recorded at the same time in the previous election—with nearly 1.3 million voters having cast their ballots.选举投票于上午7时30分开始,晚上11时30分结束,较以往选举延长两小时。截至周日晚10时30分,地方选区的累计投票率达31.43%,高于上届选举同期30.2%的水平,近130万选民已完成投票。Several functional constituencies and the Election Committee segment also reported good voter participation. In the functional constituencies, the overall turnout reached 39.48 percent, while voting within the Election Committee Constituency progressed rapidly, with a high turnout of 99.32 percent.多个功能界别及选举委员会界别亦报告了良好的投票参与率。功能界别整体投票率达39.48%,而选举委员会界别的投票进程迅速推进,投票率高达99.32%。Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu arrived at the Raimondi College polling station in the Mid-Levels area shortly after 8:30 am and cast his ballot. He called on all eligible voters to cast their ballots for representatives who will "drive reform and safeguard disaster victims".香港行政长官李家超于上午8时30分抵达半山区的雷蒙迪书院投票站,完成投票后呼吁所有合资格选民投票支持能“推动改革、保障灾民权益”的代表。The election for the eighth-term Legislative Council is being held less than two weeks after a major fire at the Wang Fuk Court residential estate killed 159 people and displaced hundreds.距离宏福苑住宅区发生重大火灾仅两周,此次选举已然拉开帷幕。那场大火夺去了159条生命,导致数百人无家可归。Lee emphasized the role that voters can play in advancing efforts to help those affected by the fire, as he described the election as a step toward making systemic improvements to plug gaps in the construction sector's practices and ensuring full support for the victims.李家超强调选民在推动火灾救援工作中的作用,他将此次选举视为系统性改进的重要一步,旨在弥补建筑行业实践中的漏洞,并确保为受灾民众提供全面支持。"The first meeting of the new Legislative Council will discuss support for the disaster victims. We will consult with lawmakers as soon as possible. Through our discussions, we aim to find the truth swiftly and expedite recovery and reconstruction efforts," he said.他表示:“新立法会首次会议将讨论对灾民的援助事宜。我们将尽快与议员们进行磋商。通过讨论,我们旨在迅速查明真相,并加快灾后恢复与重建工作。”Senior officials of the SAR government arrived at various polling stations to cast their ballots, and they encouraged the public to vote early.香港特别行政区政府高级官员前往各投票站投票,并鼓励市民提早投票。Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki echoed Lee when he said that the new legislature will play an important role in the SAR's governance, especially in terms of assisting disaster victims.政务司司长陈国基呼应李家超的观点,表示新一届立法会将在特区治理中发挥重要作用,尤其是在协助灾民方面。Archbishop of Hong Kong Andrew Chan Au-ming encouraged residents to participate in the voting process and demonstrate their support for the community. He expressed hope that the newly elected lawmakers will thoroughly scrutinize policies to help foster a safer environment for all.香港圣公会大主教陈讴明鼓励市民参与投票程序,展现对社区的支持。他希望新当选的立法会议员能深入审议各项政策,共同营造更安全的社会环境。Ethnic minority voters spoke positively of the electoral arrangements, noting that sufficient information and assistance were provided in multiple languages.少数族裔选民对选举安排给予积极评价,指出选举过程中提供了多种语言的信息和协助。Ashfaqur Rahman Palash, president of the Bangladesh Association of Hong Kong, emphasized the importance of voting. "Hong Kong is also my home.…Electing the right people is crucial for my children's future and the economy," he said.香港孟加拉协会主席Ashfaqur Rahman Palash,强调投票的重要性。他表示:“香港也是我的家园……选对人对子女的未来和经济发展至关重要。”revampedv./ˌriːˈvæmp/改革nomineen./ˌnɑː.məˈniː/候选人;被提名者voter turnout投票率

Dec 8, 20253 min

Ep 211英语新闻丨天坑书店吸引读者深入“阅读之境”

Tucked into the walls of a 326-meter-deep sinkhole in Hechi city, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, a one-of-a-kind cliffside bookstore has captured global attention — blending dramatic natural surroundings with an unparalleled reading experience.坐落于广西河池市一处深达326米的天坑崖壁之上,一家独一无二的“悬崖书店”凭借壮丽自然景观与别具一格的阅读体验,吸引了全球目光。Nestled within the Mianhua Sinkhole Scenic Area in Luocheng Mulam autonomous county, the bookstore opened its doors in May and quickly emerged as a new landmark for culture-tourism integration. To date, it has welcomed over 100,000 visitors from home and abroad.这家书店位于罗城仫佬族自治县棉花天坑景区内,于今年5月正式开放,并迅速成为文旅融合的新地标。截至目前,已接待海内外游客逾10万人次。Once just a geological marvel, the 326-meter-deep Mianhua Sinkhole transforms at dusk: lights flicker across cliff-hugging bookshelves, turning the space into a "treasury of wisdom" floating between sky and earth, seemingly whispering with the night stars.曾经只是地质奇观的棉花天坑,到了傍晚便焕然一新:灯光在贴崖而立的书架间跳动,将整个空间化为“悬于天地之间的知识宝库”,仿佛与夜空星辰低语。Reaching the bookstore is an adventure in itself. Guests must scale an over 1,000-step plank road carved into the cliff — a thrilling "mini expedition" before arriving at this spiritual retreat amid the heights.到达书店本身就是一场冒险。游客需沿着嵌入崖壁的千级栈道拾级而上——这段“迷你探险”之后,方能抵达这处高空中的精神栖息地。He Zhijian, founder of the bookstore, described the bookstore's construction as fraught with challenges.书店创始人何志坚表示,这一项目的建设困难重重。"The sinkhole's typical karst terrain features steep, unstable cliffs," he said. "We had to adopt special anchoring technology to ensure safety — this project was like performing acrobatics on a cliff."他说:“天坑属典型喀斯特地貌,悬崖陡峭且不稳定。为了安全,我们不得不采用特殊的锚固技术——整个工程就像在悬崖上‘走钢丝’。”Inspiration struck him two years ago during a visit to Japan's Tsutaya Bookstore, later refined with insights from Hangzhou's Tsutaya outlet.两年前,他在参观日本茑屋书店时受到启发,之后结合杭州茑屋书店的体验进一步构思。The result is an open-air cliffside space lined with over 10,000 books, forming a 10-meter-high, 150-meter-long "canyon of knowledge".最终呈现的是一个露天悬崖空间,陈列1万余册图书,构成高10米、长150米的“知识峡谷”。"A unique feature of this bookstore is: no matter how heavy the wind and rain, it never gets wet," He said. "The sinkhole acts as a natural shelter, shielding the bookstore perfectly from the elements."何志坚介绍:“这家书店最大的特点之一是:风雨再大也淋不到。天坑本身就是天然庇护所,能将恶劣天气完全挡在外面。”Wu Taichang, general manager of Guangxi Luocheng Mianhua Tiankeng Tourism Development Co, said the design breaks traditional bookstore boundaries, merging reading with the grandeur of karst landscapes.广西罗城棉花天坑旅游开发公司总经理吴泰昌表示,这一设计突破了传统书店的界限,将阅读与喀斯特壮观融为一体。Wu emphasized that the goal is to encourage visitors to do more than just admire the sinkhole's beauty and leave.吴泰昌强调,他们希望游客不仅是走马观花。"We want them to immerse themselves in its charm as much as possible," he said. "That's why we've built a cliffside bookstore, cafe, and hotel, along with plank roads leading straight to the sinkhole's bottom — letting tourists get up close to the 'heart of the Earth'."他说:“我们希望游客尽可能沉浸在天坑的魅力中。这就是为什么我们打造了悬崖书店、咖啡馆和酒店,并修建通往天坑底部的栈道——让游客走近‘地心’。”The scenic area also boasts a 600-square-meter sinkhole theater that hosts spectacular performances. This year marked the debut of the Sinkhole Music Festival, which drew rave reviews from attendees.景区内还有面积达600平方米的天坑剧场,定期上演精彩演出。今年首届天坑音乐节亮相,备受观众好评。Mianhua village, where the bookstore is located, was once isolated by mountains. Its high altitude and severe water scarcity made paddy cultivation impossible. Local villagers survived by growing corn and sweet potatoes to trade for grain.书店所在的棉花村曾因群山阻隔而交通闭塞,高海拔与严重缺水使稻作种植成为不可能。村民只能种玉米与红薯换取口粮。Change came in 2017, when Wu's company decided to develop the area.转机出现在2017年,吴泰昌所在公司决定开发这一地区。"We thought it a real pity that the county's stunning natural landscapes were hidden deep in the mountains, unknown to the world," Wu said. "That's why we developed the scenic spot that blends nature with culture — aiming to attract more visitors and, in turn, improve local residents' lives through tourism development."吴说:“我们觉得这么美的自然风景被埋在深山里太可惜了。所以我们打造了这个自然与文化相融合的景区,希望吸引更多游客,从而通过旅游发展改善当地居民的生活。”Beyond its appeal to travelers, the site has become an engine for growth across seven surrounding villages. It has attracted investments from these communities, with dividend payouts exceeding 4 million yuan ($570,000) to date — bolstering the villages' collective economic income.除了吸引游客,这一景区也带动了周边七个村庄的发展。这些村集体共同投资,目前分红已超过400万元,大幅提升集体经济收入。Of the company's 108 employees, over 90 are local residents, allowing villagers to secure stable employment without leaving their hometowns.在公司108名员工中,90多人是当地村民,使他们无需外出务工便能获得稳定就业。karst terrain喀斯特地貌plank road栈道unparalleled reading experience别具一格的阅读体验dividend payouts分红collective economic income集体经济收入

Dec 8, 20254 min

Ep 212英语新闻丨儿童智能手表引发同龄人压力与排斥担忧

When 11-year-old Yu Zexi from Changsha, Hunan province, began describing her smartwatch usage, she spoke with the fluency of a seasoned social media user.当来自湖南长沙的11岁女孩余泽曦(音译)开始描述她使用智能手表的经历时,她展现出娴熟的社交媒体用户般的流畅表达。"I've had my smartwatch since second grade — that's over three years now," she said. With more than 70 contacts on her device, she actively participates in her peer social network. "I use it to chat with friends on a WeChat-like function, share updates in my circle of friends, and post photos from my life."她说:“我从二年级就开始戴智能手表了——到现在已经三年多了。”她的设备里存有70多个联系人,积极参与着同龄人的社交圈。“我用它通过类似微信的功能和朋友聊天,在朋友圈分享动态,还发布生活照片。”Yet this digital connectivity comes with self-awareness. "It's easy to get addicted," she confessed, recalling a time when she bypassed parental controls. "When my dad disabled my watch functions, I found a way to reactivate them when I got his cellphone during homework time, but he eventually found out and locked it again."然而这种数字连接伴随着自我觉察。“很容易上瘾,”她坦承道,回忆起自己曾绕过家长控制的经历,“当爸爸禁用我的手表功能时,我趁做作业时拿走他的手机,设法重新激活功能,但爸爸最终发现后又会锁定手表”。Her classmate Huang Lei has a more controlled relationship with her device. "I only wear my watch on weekends or when I go out alone to (outside) interest classes," she said.她的同班同学黄蕾(音译)与电子设备的关系较为克制。她说:“我只在周末或独自外出参加兴趣班时才戴手表。”Like Yu, she's well-versed in the watch's social features. "You can post photos, send voice messages, like others' posts — it's essentially a mini-smartphone on your wrist."和余泽曦(音译)一样,她对这款手表的社交功能也了如指掌:“你可以发布照片、发送语音消息、点赞他人的帖子——它本质上就是你手腕上的一部迷你智能手机。”But she's also witnessed the social pressures these devices create. "Some classmates will delete you from their friends list if you don't like their posts. It's like a threat to your friendship."但黄蕾(音译)也目睹了这些设备带来的社交压力。她表示:“有些同学如果发现你不点赞他们的帖子,就会把你从好友列表里删掉。这就像是在威胁你们之间的友谊。”Peace of mind心安These young voices offer a compelling window into the complex digital ecosystem that children's smartwatches have created across China.这些年轻的声音为我们打开了一扇引人入胜的窗口,让我们得以看见儿童智能手表在中国各地构筑的复杂数字生态系统。What began as a simple safety device to make it easier to contact parents has quietly evolved into full-fledged social platforms for young students, creating both new opportunities and unforeseen challenges for children, parents, and educators alike.最初作为简易安全装置,儿童手表旨在方便联系家长,如今却悄然演变为面向年轻学生的完整社交平台,为儿童、家长和教育工作者带来了全新机遇与意想不到的挑战。For many families, the journey with smartwatches begins with safety concerns. Zhu Yuyan, a mother of a fifth grader at a primary school in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, recounted her son's introduction to the technology.对许多家庭而言,智能手表之旅始于安全考量。浙江省杭州市某小学五年级学生的母亲朱雨燕(音译),讲述了儿子接触智能手表的经历。"His first watch was a birthday gift from his aunt when he was in first grade," she said. An upgrade to a more advanced model in fourth grade came at her son's request. "He wanted the same type that other children in his class had."她说:“他第一块手表是小学一年级时姑姑送的生日礼物。”四年级时升到更高级的型号,是儿子主动要求的:“想要和班上其他孩子同款的手表。”Like many parents, Zhu maintains clear boundaries around usage. Her son only wears it during outdoor activities or when attending interest classes, like his youth center programs. He doesn't bring it to school normally, she said.和许多家长一样,朱女士对智能手表使用设定了明确的界限。她表示,儿子只在户外活动或参加兴趣班时使用智能手表,比如参加青年中心的课程。平时他不会把智能手表带到学校。bypassv./ˈbaɪ.pæs/绕过seasonedadj./ˈsiː.zənd/娴熟的

Dec 8, 20252 min

Ep 213英语新闻丨中方敦促日方明确其既往承诺

Japan owes an explanation to China and the international community as to why it is unwilling to clearly state the commitments it has made in the past and its legal obligations, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Thursday.日本外交部发言人林剑周四表示,日本应向中国和国际社会解释,为何其不愿明确阐述过去作出的承诺及其法律义务。Lin made the remark at a daily news conference in Beijing, when asked about the comments Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made on Wednesday in Japan's Upper House about the China-Japan Joint Statement of 1972.林剑在北京举行的例行记者会上作出上述表态。当时他被问及日本首相高市早苗周三在日本参议院就《1972年中日联合声明》发表的言论。As a landmark political document underpinning China-Japan ties, the statement's Article 3 states that "the Government of the People's Republic of China reiterates that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China", and "the Government of Japan fully understands and respects this stand".作为奠定中日关系基础的标志性政治文件,该声明第三条明确指出:“中华人民共和国政府重申,台湾是中华人民共和国领土不可分割的一部分”,并称“日本国政府充分理解并尊重这一立场”。While some Japanese media outlets claimed that Takaichi specifically cited this stand on Wednesday, Lin clarified on Thursday and said the reports have been proved to be inaccurate as Beijing has verified what exactly Takaichi said.尽管一些日本媒体声称高市早苗在周三具体引用了这一立场,但林剑周四澄清称,经中方核实,这些报道已被证明不准确。Takaichi merely said that "the Japanese government's basic position regarding Taiwan remains as stated in the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, and there has been no change to this position", and nothing more, Lin said.林剑表示,高市早苗只说了“日本政府在台湾问题上的基本立场与《1972年中日联合声明》中所述一致,并未发生变化”,除此之外并无更多表述。Based on her remarks on Wednesday, Lin asked whether Takaichi "can accurately and fully articulate that position".基于高市早苗的表态,林剑质问其“是否能够准确、完整地阐述该立场”。"Why is the Japanese side unwilling to clearly state the commitments it has made and its legal obligations? What is the logic and motive driving this attitude? The Japanese side owes China and the international community an explanation," he said.他说:“为什么日方不愿明确说明其所作承诺及法律义务?其背后的逻辑和动机是什么?日方必须向中国和国际社会作出解释。”Liu Jiangyong, a professor of Japanese studies at Tsinghua University, said the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship — signed by the two countries in 1978 and approved by their highest legislative bodies — is a legal document that recognizes the principles and contents of the 1972 statement, and the treaty makes it clear that the statement underpins peaceful, friendly bilateral relations.清华大学日本研究专家刘江永教授表示,《中日和平友好条约》于1978年由两国签署并经各自最高立法机构批准,是一份确认1972年声明原则与内容的法律文件,该条约明确规定该声明是两国和平友好关系的基础。"As Article 98 of Japan's Constitution says 'the treaties concluded by Japan and established laws of nations shall be faithfully observed', it is the obligation of the Japanese government and Japanese lawmakers to faithfully abide by the contents of the 1972 statement and 1978 treaty," he added.他补充说:“日本宪法第98条规定‘日本缔结的条约及国际法规则必须被忠实遵守’,因此日本政府和国会议员有义务严格遵守1972年声明和1978年条约的内容。”On Nov 7, Takaichi made provocative comments at a parliamentary debate, talking of Tokyo's possible military intervention in Taiwan.11月7日,高市早苗在国会辩论中发表挑衅性言论,提及东京可能对台湾进行军事干预。Lin, the spokesman, said that China's stance is very clear.林剑表示,中方立场非常明确。"We urge the Japanese side to reflect on and correct its wrongdoing, and retract Prime Minister Takaichi's erroneous remarks," Lin said. "This is an issue of principle. The facts and Japan's commitments are written down in black and white in historical records."他表示:“我们敦促日方反思并纠正错误言行,撤回高市首相的错误言论。这是原则问题。事实和日本的承诺都白纸黑字写在历史文献里。”JointStatement联合声明inalienable/ɪnˈeɪliənəbl/不可分割的underpin/ˌʌndəˈpɪn/奠定基础/支撑provocative comments挑衅性言论in black and white白纸黑字

Dec 7, 20253 min

Ep 214甲流凶猛来袭?别急!快速搞懂:怎么认、怎么防

In this episode of “Fierce Attack of Influenza A: Recognizing Virus Characteristics, Staying Alert to Hidden Risks, Scientific Response with a Method”, we dive into the current surge of Influenza A, dominated by the H3N2 strain. This episode unpacks why this variant is so aggressive, how it spreads silently before symptoms appear, and why its impact on recovery—especially the risk of delayed cardiac complications—is uniquely concerning.

Dec 6, 202515 min

Ep 215英语新闻丨入境游客支付方式呈现新趋势

Spending patterns among China's inbound travelers are shifting toward card-based transactions, experiential and everyday scenarios, underscoring the nation's progress in improving bank card acceptance and payment convenience, said a recent report by the World Tourism Alliance.世界旅游联盟发布的最新报告指出,中国入境游客的消费模式正转向以银行卡支付为主,并更多集中于沉浸式体验和日常消费场景,这凸显了中国在提升银行卡受理环境和支付便利性方面取得的显著进展。It said experiencing Chinese culture is increasingly the primary motivation for foreign visitors. This growing appetite for cultural depth is driving a shift from "checklist sightseeing" to "immersive experiences", making China's cultural treasure trove a key driver of inbound tourism growth.报告称,体验中国文化正成为越来越多外国游客的首要动机。这种对文化深度的渴望,正促使游客从“打卡式观光”转向“沉浸式体验”,中国丰富的文化资产因此成为入境旅游增长的重要推动力。The trend reflects ongoing enhancements to China's card acceptance environment. The report noted that coverage among key merchants reached 99 percent by September 2024. Moreover, tax refund efficiency has also improved significantly. The State Taxation Administration has rolled out "immediate tax refund upon purchase" services since May, drastically cutting refund processing times and enhancing shopping experiences.这一趋势反映出中国银行卡受理环境持续改善。报告指出,截至2024年9月,重点商户的银行卡受理覆盖率已达99%。此外,退税效率也显著提升。国家税务总局自5月起推行“即买即退”服务,大幅缩短退税处理时间,显著提升购物体验。The National Bureau of Statistics said China welcomed 132 million inbound tourists in 2024, marking a 60.8 percent year-on-year increase, with foreign visitors accounting for 26.94 million of these arrivals.国家统计局表示,2024年中国入境游客达到1.32亿人次,同比增长60.8%,其中外国游客达2694万人次。Between the third quarter of 2024 and the second quarter of 2025, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, South Korea, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States emerged as the top source markets for inbound spending. Malaysia, Australia and Singapore posted standout year-on-year growth rates — each exceeding 50 percent, said the WTA.世界旅游联盟称,在2024年第三季度至2025年第二季度期间,马来西亚、新加坡、澳大利亚、韩国、德国、英国和美国成为入境游客消费的主要来源市场。其中,马来西亚、澳大利亚和新加坡表现尤其突出,同比增幅均超过50%。Shopping stood out with a nearly 90 percent rise in transaction value. The surge was driven primarily by a sharp increase in the number of credit and debit cards used, while average spending per card remained stable — signaling a broader consumer base rather than higher individual outlays, the report said.购物类消费尤为亮眼,交易额增长近90%。报告指出,这一增幅主要得益于使用信用卡和借记卡人数的显著上升,而单卡平均消费保持稳定——这表明增长来自更广泛的消费群体,而非个体消费金额的提高。The transaction value of transportation spending has been growing strongly, with card usage surging, thanks to greater ease of foreign card payments in transit payment platform systems. Since early 2025, the number of inbound travelers using foreign bank cards for Tap-and-Go metro access has surged, with usage up nearly 60 percent in the second quarter compared to the previous quarter, the report said.由于交通出行支付平台对外卡支付的便利性提升,交通类消费的交易额保持强劲增长,银行卡使用量大幅上升。报告称,自2025年初以来,使用外卡“即刷即走”乘坐地铁的入境游客数量激增,仅第二季度就比上一季度增长近60%。Tap-and-Go is rapidly becoming a preferred payment method for inbound travelers using urban transit, marking a step forward in the internationalization of China's public transport services. Beyond Beijing and Shanghai, other major cities such as Chengdu, Sichuan province and Guangzhou, Guangdong province are also following suit. Major global card networks are also aggressively promoting this payment scenario, offering rebates and cashback incentives.“即刷即走”正迅速成为入境游客使用城市公共交通的首选支付方式,这标志着中国公共交通服务的国际化迈出重要一步。除北京和上海外,成都、广州等主要城市也在加紧跟进。国际主要银行卡组织也积极推广这一支付场景,并提供返现、优惠等激励措施。Dennis Chang, executive vice-president at Mastercard, said: "Today, as Mastercard expands our domestic operations in China, we are proud to upgrade our Pay Like a Local payment facilitation program; enable inbound tourists to make QR code payments in China through Alipay and WeChat Pay; expand the acceptance of overseas-issued bank cards; and allow riders to use Mastercard directly for seamless Tap-and-Go urban rail transit — thereby ensuring improved consumption experiences for international visitors."万事达卡中国区执行副总裁张安表示:“随着万事达在中国拓展本地业务,我们很自豪地升级‘像本地人一样支付’计划;支持入境游客通过支付宝和微信支付扫码付款;扩大境外发行银行卡的受理范围;并允许乘客直接使用万事达卡实现顺畅的‘即刷即走’轨道交通出行,从而进一步提升国际游客的消费体验。”Visa, another US-based card payment provider, said overseas tourists' spending in China saw explosive growth in the first half.另一家美国银行卡支付机构维萨(Visa)表示,今年上半年境外游客在中国的消费出现爆发式增长。The company said transaction volume of its tap-to-pay service saw rapid year-on-year growth, with Guangzhou's inbound tourist tap-to-pay transactions surging over 100 percent. In transportation scenarios, its tap-to-ride service gained widespread popularity, and around 60 percent of overseas tourists in Beijing are using Visa cards for tap-to-ride public transit, according to the company.该公司称,其“轻触支付”服务的交易量同比大幅增长,其中广州入境游客的轻触支付交易量激增逾100%。在交通出行场景中,其“轻触乘车”服务广受欢迎,目前在北京约有60%的境外游客使用Visa卡完成公共交通“轻触乘车”。inbound travelers入境游客immediate tax refund upon purchase即买即退transaction value交易额transaction/trænˈzækʃ(ə)n/Tap-and-Go / tap-to-ride / tap-to-pay即刷即走/轻触乘车/轻触支付rebates and cashback incentives返

Dec 5, 20254 min

Ep 216英语新闻丨中国企业测试可重复使用火箭

A leading Chinese commercial space company launched the country's first reusable rocket on Wednesday, with the spacecraft's second-stage booster managing to enter its designated orbit, despite the attempt to recover its first-stage booster remaining unsuccessful.中国一家领先的商业航天公司蓝箭航天周三成功发射了该国首枚可重复使用火箭,尽管一级助推器的回收尝试未能成功,但该航天器的二级助推器仍成功进入预定轨道。The ZQ 3 Y1 carrier rocket—a gigantic vessel designed and manufactured by Beijing-based Land-Space and primarily made ofstainless steel —blasted off at noon from its launch service tower at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China. The code name Y1 signifies that the rocket is the first in the ZQ 3 series.ZQ 3 Y1运载火箭(即朱雀三号遥一运载火箭)——这艘由北京蓝箭航天设计制造、主要采用不锈钢材质的巨型飞行器——于正午时分从中国西北部酒泉卫星发射中心的发射服务塔腾空而起。其代号Y1(遥一)表明该火箭是ZQ 3(朱雀)系列的首枚火箭。After a short flight, the rocket's second-stage booster reached its preset orbital position, but the first-stage booster burst into a fireball over a designated recovery site in Minqin county in Gansu province, about 390 kilometers from the launch site.经过短暂飞行,火箭第二级助推器抵达预定轨道位置,但第一级助推器在距发射场约390公里的甘肃省临泉县指定回收区上空化作火球。The mission verified the overall plan for the testing, launch and flight of the ZQ 3 model, and demonstrated the compatibility of interfaces between various systems, according to LandSpace.据蓝箭航天透露,此次任务验证了ZQ 3型号的测试、发射及飞行总体方案,并证明了各系统接口间的兼容性。It successfully obtained critical technical data during the flight, laying a solid foundation for optimizing the rocket's design, enhancing its overall reliability, and realizing recovery, the company said.该公司表示,此次飞行成功获取关键技术数据,为优化火箭设计、提升整体可靠性及实现回收奠定了坚实基础。Technical specifications from LandSpace show that the ZQ 3 Y1 is 66.1 meters tall and 4.5 meters wide, and weighs nearly 560 metric tons when fully fueled. With a liftoffthrust of over 750 tons, it is capable of transporting heavy satellites to low-Earth or sun-synchronous orbits.根据蓝箭航天提供的技术规格,朱雀三号遥一运载火箭火箭全高66.1米,宽4.5米,满油状态下重达近560吨。其起飞推力超过750吨,可将重型卫星送入近地轨道或太阳同步轨道。The rocket was propelled by LandSpace's ownmethane engines—the first stage had nine TQ 12A engines, creating the major lift for the rocket, while the second stage had a TQ 15A engine. Compared with traditional types of rocket engines that can function only once, a methane engine is reusable and more environment-friendly.该火箭采用蓝箭航天自主研发的甲烷发动机提供动力——第一级配备九台“天鹊”12A发动机,为火箭提供主要升力,第二级则搭载一台“天鹊”15A发动机。相较于传统火箭发动机仅能使用一次的特性,液氧甲烷发动机具备可重复使用性且更环保。The rocket'spropellant tanks are constructed with stainless steel, which features good strength, resistance to high temperatures and corrosion, and a very competitive cost. There were four grid fins and four landing legs on the vessel, which were meant to allow the first-stage booster to make a soft landing.火箭的推进剂储箱采用不锈钢制造,这种材料具有强度高、耐高温和耐腐蚀的特点,且成本极具竞争力。飞行器上设有四组格栅尾翼和四条着陆腿,旨在使第一级助推器能够实现软着陆。LandSpace has invested a considerable amount of resources in the research and development of ZQ 3, as the company wants to use the reusable model to compete for lucrative launch service contracts, an opportunity created by China's grand plan of establishing a massive internet satellite network.蓝箭航天投入了大量资源研发朱雀三号火箭,该公司希望借助可重复使用火箭的优势,竞标利润丰厚的发射服务合同——这一机遇源于中国建立庞大互联网卫星网络的宏伟计划。In July 2023, LandSpace conducted the world's first orbital mission of a methane-propelled carrier rocket when it launched the ZQ 2 rocket. To date, the ZQ 2 and its modified variant have made a total of six launches.2023年7月,蓝箭航天公司成功发射朱雀二号火箭,实现了全球首次甲烷推进运载火箭的轨道飞行任务。截至目前,朱雀二号及其改进型火箭已累计执行六次发射任务。methanen. /ˈmiː.θeɪn/甲烷propellant tanksn. /prəˈpel.ənt/推进剂储箱thrustn. /θrʌst/驱动力stainless steel不锈钢

Dec 4, 20256 min

Ep 217英语新闻丨寒潮、强风席卷全国多地

A powerful cold wave is gripping large parts of China this week, driving temperatures sharply lower and pushing the freezing line steadily south, according to the National Meteorological Center.据国家气象中心称,本周一股强劲寒潮正席卷中国大部分地区,气温急剧下降,冰冻线持续向南推进。The center continued to issue blue alerts — the lowest of a four-tiered color-coded warning system — for a cold wave and strong winds on Tuesday morning, forecasting that the cold air will keep moving east and south through Wednesday.气象中心周二上午继续针对寒潮和大风发布蓝色预警——这是四级颜色编码预警系统中的最低级别——并预测冷空气将持续向东和向南移动至周三。Yang Shunan, chief forecaster at the center, said the cold wave has already gripped the entire northern part of the country and continues to push south.气象中心首席预报员杨舒楠表示,这波寒潮已覆盖全国北方地区,并持续向南推进。As of Tuesday afternoon, temperatures in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Northeast China and North China had fallen by 6 to 10 C, with some areas recording drops of 12 to 14 C. These regions, along with the Shandong and Liaodong peninsulas, have also recorded winds of up to 39 kilometers per hour, Yang said.截至周二下午,内蒙古自治区、东北地区和华北地区气温普遍下降6至10摄氏度,部分地区降温幅度达12至14摄氏度。杨舒楠表示,这些地区以及山东半岛和辽东半岛还出现了时速达39公里的强风。On Tuesday, Beijing and Tianjin recorded their coldest morning of the second half of the year at around minus 5 C, while Changchun in Jilin province, Shenyang in Liaoning province and Shijiazhuang in Hebei province also hit new seasonal lows.周二,北京和天津录得今年下半年最低气温,约为零下5摄氏度;吉林省长春市、辽宁省沈阳市和河北省石家庄市也创下本季新低。The cold wave is set to keep pressing south over the next two days, bringing the coldest conditions of the season so far to large parts of central and eastern China. In some areas of Jiangsu, Anhui and Zhejiang provinces, temperatures are expected to plunge by more than 10 C, with wind chills exacerbating the cold conditions.未来两天,寒潮将继续向南推进,给中国中部和东部大部地区带来今冬迄今最严寒的天气。江苏、安徽和浙江部分地区气温预计将骤降10摄氏度以上,寒风将使体感温度进一步降低。"The most notable features of this cold wave are its complex weather impacts and the significant temperature plunge," Yang said.杨舒楠表示:“此轮寒潮最显著的特征在于其复杂的气象影响和显著的降温幅度。”In addition to strong winds and plummeting temperatures, sand and dust storms were reported in parts of Inner Mongolia and North China in the early stages of the cold air outbreak.在冷空气来袭初期,除强风和气温骤降外,内蒙古和华北部分地区还出现了沙尘暴。Unlike the cold wave in mid-November, which took a more westerly track and brought sharper temperature drops to southern and western regions, the current system is tracking slightly farther north, resulting in the strongest cooling being concentrated north of the Yangtze River, she said.杨舒楠指出,与11月中旬那场偏西路径、导致南方和西部地区气温骤降的冷空气不同,当前这股冷空气路径略偏北,因此强降温主要集中在长江以北地区。On Wednesday morning, the nation's coldest regions will be in parts of the northeast, northwest and North China, according to the center.气象中心称,周三上午,全国最寒冷的地区将出现在东北、西北和华北的部分地区。Minimum temperatures below minus 10 C are forecast across more than 10 provincial-level regions, including the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region as well as the provinces of Qinghai, Gansu and Hebei.预计新疆维吾尔自治区、青海省、甘肃省、河北省等十余个省级行政区最低气温将低于零下10摄氏度。Major northeastern cities such as Harbin and Changchun may see temperatures dip below minus 20 C for the first time this season. Forecasters advise commuters and students to bundle up with hats, gloves and scarves to avoid frostbite.哈尔滨、长春等东北主要城市的气温可能在本季首次跌破零下20摄氏度。气象预报员建议通勤者和学生做好保暖措施,戴好帽子、手套和围巾,以防冻伤。By Thursday, the freezing line will reach its southernmost point during this cold spell, extending into parts of Zhejiang, Anhui and Hubei. The cold wave is expected to weaken and come to an end from late Wednesday into Thursday night, Yang said.到周四,冻线将达到此轮寒潮的南端极限,延伸至浙江、安徽和湖北部分地区。杨舒楠表示,预计寒潮将于周三晚至周四夜间逐渐减弱并结束。bundle up做好保暖措施、裹紧衣物frostbite n./ˈfrɑːst.baɪt/冻伤;冻疮

Dec 4, 20253 min

Ep 218英语新闻丨French President Emmanuel Macron arrives in Beijin

 At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a state visit to China through Friday.应中国国家主席习近平邀请,法国总统埃马纽埃尔·马克龙周三抵达北京,将于周三至周五对中国进行国事访问。It is Macron's fourth state visit to China and a reciprocal visit to Xi's historic state visit to France last year that marked the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations.这将是马克龙第四次对中国进行国事访问,也是对去年习近平主席对法国进行历史性国事访问的回访——该访问恰逢中法建交60周年。During the visit this week, Xi will hold talks with Macron to jointly guide the development of China-France relations under the new circumstances. The two presidents will also have in-depth exchanges of views on major international and regional hotspot issues.在本周访问期间,习近平主席将与马克龙总统举行会谈,就新形势下如何共同引领中法关系发展进行战略沟通。两国元首还将就重大国际和地区热点问题深入交换意见。China is ready to work with France to take this visit as an opportunity to champion the spirit that guided the establishment of China-France diplomatic ties, strengthen strategic communication, deepen pragmatic cooperation, and work for closer coordination in multilateral affairs, said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson.中国外交部发言人表示,中方愿同法方以此访为契机,弘扬两国建交时所秉持的精神,强化战略沟通,深化务实合作,并在多边事务中加强协调。Together, the two sides can make new progress in their comprehensive strategic partnership, promote the sound and steady development of China-EU relations, and contribute more to multilateralism and a peaceful, stable and prosperous world, the spokesperson added.发言人补充说,双方可以共同推动中法全面战略伙伴关系迈上新台阶,促进中欧关系健康稳定发展,并为多边主义以及世界的和平、稳定与繁荣作出更大贡献。state visit国事访问reciprocal visit回访pragmatic cooperation务实合作comprehensive strategic partnership全面战略伙伴关系sound and steady development健康稳定发展international and regional hotspot issues国际和地区热点问题

Dec 4, 20251 min

Ep 219英语新闻丨官方回应记录封存新规争议

A new regulation mandating the sealing of public security administrative penalty records, including those related to drug use, has sparked an intense debate on social media, with many people worrying that it may condone illegal activities and undermine social security.一项要求封存治安管理行政处罚记录(包括涉毒记录)的新规在社交媒体上引发激烈讨论,许多人担心,这可能纵容违法行为并损害社会安全。Addressing such fears, legal experts said the records will be sealed, not deleted or expunged, which in no way will condone or cover up illegal activities. Strict access restrictions already exist for sensitive industries involving minors and public safety, they added.法律专家对此回应称,这些记录将被“封存”,而非删除或抹除,这绝不会纵容或掩盖违法行为。他们补充说,涉及未成年人和公共安全的敏感行业本就有严格的准入限制。The new rule, which is part of the revised Law on Penalties for Administration of Public Security, will take effect on Jan 1, 2026.这项新规属于新版《治安管理处罚法》的一部分,将于2026年1月1日起实施。It garnered a lot of attention after a comment posted about a promotion video of the revised law by Nantong Culture and Tourism's official Douyin account went viral. The comment — "Which young master got caught using drugs?" — triggered public anxiety, with many users on social media expressing the concern that offenders may exploit the policy to "whitewash" their records.在南通文旅官方抖音账号发布的新版法律宣传视频下,一条评论迅速走红,引发了大量关注。评论写道:“是哪家少爷吸毒被抓了?”这勾起了公众焦虑,许多网友担心违法者可能利用政策来“漂白”记录。Public concern mainly focuses on four key points: whether the rule creates a backdoor to erase past offenses, weakens deterrence against drug-related crimes, endangers community safety through information blind spots, or prioritizes leniency over justice.公众的担忧主要集中在四点:新规是否会成为抹除违法记录的“后门”、是否会削弱对涉毒违法行为的威慑力、是否会因信息盲区危及社区安全、以及是否会让宽容压倒正义。Ji Ying, an associate professor of law at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, attributed the controversy to public misunderstanding that drug-related administrative records will be expunged, allowing unrestricted access to career opportunities.对外经济贸易大学法学院副教授冀莹表示,争议源于公众误解,以为涉毒行政记录将被完全删除,使涉毒人员可以毫无限制地获得职业机会。"This misunderstanding sparked worries about public safety and social fairness, and frustration regarding overlooked anti-drug enforcement efforts," Ji said.她说:“这种误解引发了公众对社会安全和公平正义的担忧,也造成了对禁毒执法努力被忽视的挫败感。”Noting the unique status of drug use among administrative violations, she said: "Members of the public maintain zero tolerance toward drug-related behaviors. They believe that a one-size-fits-all sealing policy will not only violate justice and fairness, but also endanger social security. Their concern reflects society's correct understanding of drug hazards and its firm pursuit of justice."她指出,吸毒在行政违法中具有特殊性:“公众对涉毒行为零容忍,他们认为一刀切的封存政策可能损害公平正义,也可能危及社会安全。他们的担忧反映了社会对毒品危害的正确认识及对正义的坚守。”Ji emphasized that China's legal system distinguishes "administrative violations" from "criminal offenses".冀莹强调,中国法律体系严格区分“行政违法”和“刑事犯罪”。Drug use is classified as an administrative offense, with a maximum penalty of 15 days' detention under the Public Security Administration Punishments Law, while trafficking, manufacturing and illegal possession of drugs are crimes.吸毒被归类为行政违法,根据《治安管理处罚法》最高可处罚拘留15日,而贩毒、制毒、非法持有毒品则属于刑事犯罪。China's current Anti-Drug Law stipulates that drug users shall be subject to public security administration penalties, and no penalty shall be imposed on drug users who voluntarily register with public security organs or receive drug rehabilitation treatment at qualified medical institutions.现行《禁毒法》规定,吸毒人员依法接受治安管理处罚;主动向公安机关登记或在合格机构接受戒毒治疗的,不予处罚。Addressing fears of information asymmetry, such as neighbors or employers being unaware of past drug users, Ji said that stringent supporting supervision measures remain in place, and the record-sealing system features differentiated and refined management.针对公众担心邻居、雇主等可能因信息不对称而不知情的问题,冀莹表示,严格的配套监管仍在实施,封存制度本身也具有分级、精细化管理特点。Law enforcement agencies maintain official records of violations, which relevant authorities may access when necessary, and entry restrictions for specific occupations remain in place for special offenses such as drug use, she said.她指出,执法机关会保留违法记录,相关部门在必要时可以调取,同时对涉毒等特殊违法行为,各类特定职业仍设有准入限制。China's multiple laws and regulations require a clean record in terms of drug use for key positions such as ride-hailing drivers, teachers and security guards.我国多部法律法规要求网约车司机、教师、保安等关键岗位必须无吸毒记录。"The sealing of records does not mean that the records don't exist anymore. ... China's legal system has been striving to strike a balance between safeguarding public safety and realizing humanized and lenient law enforcement," Ji said.冀莹表示:“封存记录并不意味着记录不存在了……中国法律体系一直在努力在保障公共安全与实现人性化、宽缓执法之间寻找平衡。”Furthermore, the country's antidrug framework combines strict enforcement with rehabilitation.此外,中国的禁毒体系兼具严格执法与戒治帮扶。An online dynamic control system, which was established in 2006, monitors drug users and offenders by accessing a database of their identity records. This system mandates regular follow-ups and random testing for individuals post-detoxification.自2006年建立的在线动态管控系统,通过身份信息数据库监测吸毒人员,对戒毒后的人员进行定期回访和随机检测。Relevant authorities also monitor narcotic and

Dec 3, 20256 min

Ep 220英语新闻丨俄罗斯实施互免签政策,有望促进旅游发展

Russia has adopted a visa-free policy for Chinese citizens visiting the country for tourism or business purposes, a reciprocal move that is expected to promote the development of tourism, trade and exchanges between the two countries and contribute to their economic growth.俄罗斯对中国公民实施免签政策,适用于旅游或商务目的。作为一项互惠举措,这项政策预计将推动两国旅游、贸易及交流的发展,并为两国经济增长作出贡献。Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an executive order on Monday allowing Chinese nationals to enter Russia visa-free and stay for up to 30 days for purposes including family visits, business trips, tourism, and participation in scientific, cultural, sociopolitical, economic or sports events, as well as transit.俄罗斯总统弗拉基米尔·普京于周一签署行政令,允许中国公民免签入境并停留最长30天,适用于探亲、商务、旅游,以及参与科研、文化、社会政治、经济或体育活动等用途,也包括过境。The order, which took effect immediately, will expire on Sept 14, 2026.该行政令即刻生效,将于2026年9月14日到期。The news quickly went viral in China and several domestic travel portals reported a surge in search traffic for tour products to Russia.消息迅速在中国网络上引发热议,多家旅游平台报告称前往俄罗斯的旅游产品搜索量大幅增长。Travel agency Qunar said that searches for flights from Hangzhou in Zhejiang province to St. Petersburg increased more than threefold within the first hour, while searches for Beijing–Moscow flights surged 44 percent during the same period.旅游平台“去哪儿网”表示,消息发布后一小时内,浙江杭州至圣彼得堡的航班搜索量增长超过三倍,北京—莫斯科航线的搜索量也在同期激增44%。Li Yanqiu, 35, who lives in Beijing, said she and her husband have always wanted to visit Lake Baikal in Siberia as well as Moscow. In 2018, she made a short business trip to Kazan in western Russia and was impressed by the country’s culture and natural landscapes.住在北京的35岁李燕秋表示,她和丈夫一直想去西伯利亚的贝加尔湖和莫斯科。2018年,她曾赴俄罗斯西部城市喀山短期出差,对当地文化和自然风光印象深刻。“Now is a good time to visit Russia again, this time with my family,” she said, giving a thumbs up to the reciprocal visa-free policy.“现在正是再访俄罗斯的好时机,这次我想和家人一起去。”她说,并为这项互惠免签政策点赞。Wei Changren, founder of btiii.com, a tourism-related financial news website, said two routes are traditionally popular among Chinese travelers to Russia: Moscow–St. Petersburg and Russia’s Far East region. He said the visa-waiver policy will undoubtedly boost cross-border tourism.旅游财经网站劲旅网创始人魏长仁表示,中国游客赴俄的传统热门路线主要有两条:莫斯科—圣彼得堡,以及俄罗斯远东地区。他指出,免签政策必将促进跨境旅游发展。Putin’s executive order is based on the principle of reciprocity.普京的行政令以“互惠原则”为基础。On Sept 15, China launched a one-year trial of a 30-day visa-free policy for Russian nationals with ordinary passports, covering business, tourism, family visits, participation in exchange events and transit. This policy also expires on Sept 14, 2026.9月15日,中国对持普通护照的俄罗斯公民实施为期一年的30天免签试行政策,适用于商务、旅游、探亲访友、参加交流活动及过境。该政策同样将于2026年9月14日到期。Inna Klochko, 53, from Vladivostok, recently spent a night at the Maple Leaf Village Hot Spring Resort Hotel in Harbin, Heilongjiang province. Since China’s visa-free policy took effect, she has visited Harbin twice, enjoying the city’s scenery, food and hot springs.来自俄罗斯符拉迪沃斯托克的53岁游客伊娜·克洛奇科近日入住了中国黑龙江哈尔滨的枫叶小镇温泉度假酒店。自中国免签政策生效以来,她已两次到访哈尔滨,尽享当地美景、美食和温泉。“I felt a sense of familiarity with the European-style architecture on Harbin’s Central Avenue. I also tasted guobaorou,” she said. “But the highlight was the hotel’s intelligent temperature-controlled hot springs and the unique ‘double-flavor hot pot pool’, which made me want to return.”“在哈尔滨中央大街漫步时,那些欧式建筑让我倍感亲切,我还品尝了地道的锅包肉。”她说。“最令人难忘的是酒店的智能恒温温泉和独特的‘双味火锅池’,让我非常想再来。”Previously, applying for a Chinese visa required more time and effort, Klochko said. “Now I just submit an electronic declaration via a mobile app, and I can pass customs in under five minutes.”克洛奇科表示,以前申请中国签证较为繁琐,“现在只需提前通过手机App提交电子申报,入境时不到五分钟就能通关。”In the past two months, Harbin Trip of Garden International Tour Co, a local travel agency, has received more than 400 Russian tourists — a 30 percent year-on-year increase.过去两个月,哈尔滨本地旅行社“哈旅国际旅行社”已接待超过400名俄罗斯游客,同比增加30%。“Most visitors come from Vladivostok and Khabarovsk,” said Wang Taixiang, the company’s vice-general manager. “After arriving in Harbin, they often go on to Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Luoyang or Zhangjiajie.”该公司副总经理王太祥表示:“游客大多来自符拉迪沃斯托克和哈巴罗夫斯克。抵达哈尔滨后,他们常会继续前往北京、上海、西安、洛阳或张家界等热门城市。”Zhang Jinshan, a tourism researcher at Beijing Union University, said China, which shares the longest land border with Russia, has a large outbound tourism market. Mutual visa waivers will greatly stimulate tourism and strengthen people-to-people exchanges.北京联合大学旅游规划与发展研究学者张金山指出,中国与俄罗斯拥有世界上最长的陆地边界,并具备庞大的出境旅游市场。互免签政策将大幅促进旅游发展和民间交流。He added that Russia’s reciprocal visa-free move will not only boost tourism but also help revitalize industrial zones in Northeast China and Russia’s Far East.他补充说,俄罗斯的互免签举措不仅能促进旅游,还将有助于振兴中国东北及俄罗斯远东地区的传统工业区。visa-free policy免签政策electronic declaration电子申报pass customs通关revitalize industrial zones振兴工业区Far East region远东地区

Dec 3, 20255 min

Ep 221英语新闻丨美乌结束冲突谈判取得进展

United States and Ukrainian officials held what both sides called productive talks on Sunday about a peace deal, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing optimism about progress despite challenges to ending the more than three-year-long conflict.美国与乌克兰官员周日就和平协议举行了双方均称富有成效的会谈。尽管结束这场持续三年多的冲突仍面临挑战,美国国务卿马尔科·鲁比奥对取得进展表示乐观。Rubio met with a Ukrainian delegation led by a new chief negotiator in Florida for talks that he said were meant to create a pathway for Ukraine to remain sovereign and independent.马尔科·鲁比奥在佛罗里达州会见了由新任首席谈判代表率领的乌克兰代表团,他表示此次会谈旨在为乌克兰保持主权和独立开辟道路。"We continue to be realistic about how difficult this is, but optimistic, particularly given the fact that as we've made progress, I think there is ashared vision here that this is not just about ending the war," Rubio told reporters after the talks concluded.鲁比奥在会谈结束后对记者表示:“我们始终清醒认识到此事的艰难性,但仍保持乐观态度;尤其考虑到我们已取得进展,我认为各方在此形成共识:这不仅仅是结束战争的问题。”"It is about securing Ukraine's future, a future that we hope will be more prosperous than it's ever been."“这是关乎乌克兰未来的保障,我们期盼这个未来能比以往任何时候都更加繁荣昌盛。”The discussions were a follow-up to a new set of negotiations that began with a fresh US blueprint for peace.这些讨论是对新一轮谈判的后续行动,该轮谈判始于美国提出的新和平蓝图。US special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, were also present, representing the US side. Witkoff leaves on Monday for Moscow, where he is expected to meet his Russian counterparts for talks this week.美国特使史蒂夫·威特科夫和特朗普的女婿贾里德·库什纳代表美国方面也出席了会议。威特科夫将于周一启程前往莫斯科,预计本周将与俄方同行举行会谈。"There's more work to be done. This is delicate," Rubio said. "There are a lot of moving parts, and obviously there's another party involved here ... that will have to be a part of the equation, and that will continue later this week, when Mr Witkoff travels to Moscow."“还有更多工作要做。这很微妙,”马尔科·鲁比奥表示,“涉及诸多变动因素,显然还有另一方参与其中……必须将其纳入考量范围。本周晚些时候,当威特科夫先生前往莫斯科时,相关工作将持续推进。”Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin would meet with Witkoff on Tuesday to discuss ending the conflict.克里姆林宫发言人德米特里·谢尔盖维奇·佩斯科夫周一表示,俄罗斯总统弗拉基米尔·普京将于周二与威特科夫会晤,商讨结束冲突事宜。Trump has expressed frustration at not being able to end the conflict. He pledged as a presidential candidate to do so in one day and has said he was surprised it has been so hard, given what he calls a strong relationship with Putin, who has largely resistedconcessions to stop the fighting.特朗普对无法结束这场冲突表示沮丧。他作为总统候选人时曾承诺一天内解决问题,并表示对此感到惊讶;毕竟他自称与普京关系密切,但是普京在很大程度上拒绝做出让步以停止战斗。Trump's team has pressured Ukraine to make significant concessions, including giving up territory to Russia.特朗普团队向乌克兰施压,要求其作出重大让步,包括向俄罗斯割让领土。The talks shifted on Sunday with a leadership change on the Ukrainian side. A new chief negotiator, National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, led the discussions for Kyiv after the resignation on Friday of previous team leader Andriy Yermak, former chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, amid a corruption scandal at home.周日,随着乌克兰谈判团队的领导层变动,会谈方向发生转变。在乌克兰总统泽连斯基前幕僚长安德烈·叶尔马克因国内腐败丑闻于周五辞职后,新任首席谈判代表、国家安全与国防委员会秘书鲁斯特姆·乌梅罗夫接替其职务,代表基辅方面主持了后续磋商。'Good chance'“良好机遇”"Ukraine's got some difficult little problems," Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday, referring to the corruption scandal, which he said was "not helpful". He repeated his view that both Russia and Ukraine wanted to end the conflict and said there was a good chance a deal could be reached.特朗普周日在乘坐空军一号时对记者表示:“乌克兰存在一些棘手的小问题”,他指的是腐败丑闻,并称此事“无益于事态发展”。他重申了自己的观点,认为俄罗斯和乌克兰都希望结束冲突,并表示达成协议的可能性很大。Umerov thanked the US and its officials for their support. "US is hearing us, US is supporting us, US is walking beside us," he said in English as the negotiations began.乌梅罗夫感谢美国及其官员的支持。谈判开始时,他用英语表示:“美国倾听我们的声音,美国支持我们,美国与我们并肩同行。”After the meeting, he declared it productive. "We discussed all the important matters that are important for Ukraine, for Ukrainian people, and the US was super supportive," he said.会后,乌梅罗夫称会议富有成效。他表示:“我们讨论了所有对乌克兰、对乌克兰人民至关重要的事项,美国方面给予了大力支持。”The Sunday talks took place near Miami at a private club, Shell Bay, developed by Witkoff's real estate business.周日的会谈在迈阿密附近的海贝湾私人俱乐部举行,该俱乐部由威特科夫的房地产公司开发。On Monday, Zelensky met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, seeking to shore up European support.周一,泽连斯基在巴黎会见了法国总统埃马纽埃尔·马克龙,寻求巩固欧洲支持。Despite the diplomatic efforts, fighting on the battlefield shows no signs of easing.尽管进行了外交努力,俄乌冲突战场上的战斗仍未见缓和迹象。At least four people were killed and 22 others injured in a Russian missile strike on the city of Dnipro in central Ukraine on Monday, a local official said.当地官员表示,乌克兰中部城市第聂伯罗周一遭俄军导弹袭击,造成至少4人死亡、22人受伤。Preliminary information showed the attack damaged an enterprise and a car service station, said Vladyslav Haivanenko, acting head of Dnipropetrovsk regional administration, on Telegram, adding that all the injured were hospitalized.第聂伯罗彼得罗夫斯克州政府代理负责人弗拉迪斯拉夫·海瓦嫩科(Vladyslav Haivanenko)在电报上表示,初步信息显示袭击造成一家企业和一座汽车服务站受损,所有伤者均已送医救治。concessionn. /kənˈseʃ.ən/(常指为结束争端而作出的)让步,妥协shared vision共识

Dec 3, 20253 min

Ep 222英语新闻丨新公务员岗位竞争加剧——年龄限制改革重燃公众对公共部门就业的兴趣

China's 2026 national civil service exam for central government institutions was held on Sunday amid fierce competition, with an average of 74 applicants vying for each available position this year.2026年中国中央政府机构公务员考试于周日举行,竞争异常激烈,今年平均每个职位有74名考生角逐。A total of 3.718 million candidates passed the initial verification process and about 2.83 million people sat for the exams to compete for only 38,100 positions, making this year's recruitment process the most intense in the exam's history, according to the State Administration of Civil Service.国家公务员局数据显示,共有371.8万名考生通过初审,约283万人实际参加考试,而岗位仅3.81万个,使今年成为公务员考试史上竞争最激烈的一届。The applicant pool has increased dramatically in recent years, rising from about 2.6 million in 2023 to over 3.7 million this year.近年来申请人数激增,从2023年的约260万增至今年的370万以上。One standout example of the exam's competitiveness is a police officer position in Ruili, Yunnan province with the National Immigration Administration, which attracted 6,470 applicants for a single opening.该考试竞争激烈的一个典型例子是云南省国家移民管理局瑞丽遣返中心的一个警官职位,仅一个空缺就吸引了6470名应聘者。A significant reform to this year's exam was the relaxation of age restrictions, which is in line with China's progressive approach to delaying the legal retirement age. The general applicant age limit was raised from 35 to 38, while new graduates with master's and doctoral degrees will now be eligible up to age 43, representing a three-year extension from previous limits.今年考试的一项重大改革是放宽了年龄限制,这与中国逐步推迟法定退休年龄的政策相呼应。普通报考者的年龄上限从35岁提高到38岁,而硕士和博士学位的新毕业生现在最高可至43岁,比以往限制延长了三年。Experts said this year's national civil service exam, the first to break the "age 35 threshold", establishes a significant precedent for more inclusive public sector recruitment processes. The reforms not only expand opportunities for experienced professionals but also set important benchmarks for private sector hiring practices, promoting ability-based talent selection across Chinese society, they said.专家指出,今年全国公务员考试首次打破“35岁年龄限制”,为公共部门招聘流程建立更包容的机制树立了重要先例。他们表示,这项改革不仅为经验丰富的专业人士拓展了职业发展空间,也为私营企业招聘实践树立了重要标杆,推动全社会践行能力本位的人才选拔机制。This policy adjustment acknowledges the valuable experience and capabilities that professionals in their mid-30s have accumulated, said Zhu Lijia, a professor at the National Academy of Governance.国家行政学院教授朱立佳表示,这项政策调整充分认可了35岁左右专业人才所积累的宝贵经验和能力。Including them in the public service can significantly enhance the quality of government departments, he told China News Service.他告诉中国新闻社,将他们纳入公共服务体系,能够显著提升政府部门的质量。The age limit reform has generated substantial social impact, with many provincial-level civil service exams in regions including Shanghai and the provinces of Sichuan and Jiangsu already adopting similar relaxed age policies. Experts anticipate this trend will expand to more regions and public institution recruitment processes.年龄限制改革引发了显著的社会影响,上海、四川、江苏等地的省级公务员考试已纷纷采取类似放宽年龄的政策。专家预测,这一趋势将扩展至更多地区及公共机构的招聘流程。For many older candidates, the policy change represents a second chance at public service careers. Zhou Ming, a 35-year-old professional working in the internet industry in Guangdong province, expressed renewed hope. "This feels like an opportunity to re-enter the competition when I thought my chances had passed."对许多年长的应聘者而言,这项政策调整意味着重返公共服务岗位的第二次机会。在广东从事互联网行业的35岁专业人士周明(音译)重燃希望:“当我以为机会已经错过时,这感觉像是重新获得竞争资格的契机。”However, challenges persist for older applicants. The exam structure continues to show a strong preference for new graduates, with approximately 66.7 percent of the available positions reserved for recent graduates. This leaves limited options for experienced professionals seeking career transitions.然而,年长申请者仍面临诸多挑战。考试结构持续向应届毕业生倾斜,约66.7%的职位名额专为应届毕业生保留。这使得寻求职业转型的资深专业人士选择有限。Yi Dinghong, from Huatu Education, a training institution for civil service exams, said older candidates often face unique challenges. "They typically balance work and family responsibilities while preparing for examinations," he noted. "However, their extensive work experience and developed competencies in communication, coordination, and stress management provide distinct advantages during interview stages."华图教育公务员培训机构的易定宏指出,年长考生常面临独特挑战。“他们通常需要在备考期间兼顾工作与家庭责任,”他强调,“但丰富的职场经验以及在沟通协调、压力管理方面形成的综合能力,使他们在面试环节具备显著优势。”Ma Liang, professor of Peking University's School of Government, said that as retirement ages extend and educational periods lengthen, people enter the workforce later. Relaxing age restrictions represents an inevitable trend that aligns with evolving workforce demographics.北京大学政府管理学院教授马亮指出,随着退休年龄推迟和受教育年限延长,人们进入劳动力市场的年龄不断推迟。放宽年龄限制是顺应劳动力人口结构变化的必然趋势。Ma further suggested that future adjustments might include the complete removal of age limits, though this will be a gradual process and require corresponding reforms in career advancement systems to ensure fair development opportunities for all employees.马亮进一步建议,未来的调整可能包括完全取消年龄限制,但这将是一个渐进的过程,需要对职业晋升体系进行相应改革,以确保所有员工都能获得公平的发展机会。civil service exam国家公务员考试State Administration of Civil Service国家公务员局

Dec 2, 20254 min

Ep 223英语新闻丨中国就日本有关台湾的言论再次致函联合国秘书长

China's ambassador to the United Nations on Monday delivered another letter to the United Nations chief, rejecting what Beijing calls Japan's "unreasonable arguments" over Taiwan and reiterating its position on the issue.中国驻联合国大使周一再次致函联合国秘书长,驳斥日本就台湾问题提出的所谓“无理主张”,并重申中方立场。In the letter, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, said China "firmly opposes" Japan's letter to the UN and called it "dodging the key issues, while groundlessly accusing China and seeking to shift blame."在信函中,中国常驻联合国代表傅聪表示,中方“坚决反对”日本致联合国的信函,称其“回避关键问题,同时无端指责中国并试图推卸责任”。The latest move comes amid an exchange of letters between the two missions. Fu recently sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, prompting a response from Japan's UN ambassador Kazuyuki Yamazaki, who also wrote to the UN.最新动向发生在两国驻外使团互换信函之际。傅聪最近致函联合国秘书长安东尼奥·古特雷斯,日本驻联合国大使山崎和之随即作出回应,也向联合国发函。Fu said the direct cause of the "serious differences" between the two countries was the recent remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Nov 7, who suggested during a Diet session that a "Taiwan contingency" could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan and implied possible military involvement.傅聪表示,两国出现“严重分歧”的直接原因在于日本首相高市早苗11月7日在国会会议上的言论。她当时暗示“台湾突发状况”可能构成日本的“生存威胁”,并暗示可能采取军事行动。Fu said such remarks challenge the outcomes of World War II, undermine the post-war international order and violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.傅聪说此类言论挑战第二次世界大战的成果,破坏战后国际秩序,违反《联合国宪章》的宗旨和原则。In its letter to the UN, Japan has said that it adheres to its "consistent position". Fu urged Japan to clarify what it calls its "consistent position" on Taiwan. "The Japanese side has continued to evade the question and has yet to give China a direct answer. Can the Japanese side provide the international community with a complete and accurate explanation of its 'consistent position' on the Taiwan question?"日本在致联合国的信函中表示坚持其“一贯立场”。傅聪立言敦促日本澄清其所谓对台湾问题的“一贯立场”。他表示:“日方持续回避问题,至今未向中方作出直接答复。日方能否向国际社会完整准确地说明其在台湾问题上的'‘一贯立场’?”The ambassador cited the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender as legal instruments confirming China's sovereignty over Taiwan.傅聪援引《开罗宣言》、《波茨坦公告》和《日本投降书》作为确认中国对台湾拥有主权的法律文书。He also referred to the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, which states that "the Government of Japan recognizes the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal Government of China" and "The Government of Japan fully understands and respects" China's stand that Taiwan is "an inalienable part of the territory of the People's Republic of China".他还援引了1972年《中日联合声明》,其中声明“日本政府承认中华人民共和国政府是中国唯一合法政府”,并“充分理解和尊重”中国关于台湾是“中华人民共和国领土不可分割一部分”的立场。Fu also rejected Japan's claim in its letter saying that Japan adheres to a "passive defense strategy, which is exclusively defense-oriented", and asserts that Takaichi's remarks were grounded in this position.傅聪也驳斥了日本在信函中声称日本坚持“纯粹以防御为导向的被动防御战略”的说法,并强调高市早苗的言论正是基于这一立场。"Takaichi linked Japan's 'survival-threatening situation' with a 'Taiwan contingency', implying the use of force against China. This clearly goes beyond its claim of 'passive defense strategy' that is 'exclusively defense-oriented'. The Japanese side's arguments are self-contradictory and are intended to mislead the international community," Fu said.傅聪指出:“高市将日本‘生存威胁’与‘台湾突发状况’挂钩,暗示对华动武。这显然超越了其所谓‘纯粹防御型’的‘被动防御战略’主张。日方论调自相矛盾,意在误导国际社会。”He also warned Japan's attempts to "expand its military capabilities and revive militarism". Fu said Japan had increased defense spending for many years, adjusted arms-export principles and was debating nuclear-related policies.他还警示道日本企图“扩大军事能力、复活军国主义”。傅聪指出,日本多年来不断增加国防开支,调整武器出口原则,并正在讨论核相关政策。"Takaichi's erroneous words and deeds have severely undermined the mutual trust between China and Japan and damaged the political foundation of China-Japan relations," Fu said.傅聪表示:“高市早苗的一系列错误言行严重破坏了中日之间的相互信任,损害了中日关系的政治基础。”Japan should "clearly reaffirm the one-China principle, faithfully uphold the spirit of the four political documents between the two countries and its political commitments, immediately retract the erroneous remarks, and take practical steps to honor its commitments to China," he said, warning that the Japanese side should "bear all the consequences arising therefrom".日本应“明确重申一个中国原则,恪守两国间四份政治文件的精神及其政治承诺,立即收回错误言论,并采取切实措施履行对中国的承诺”,傅聪警告称日方应“承担由此产生的全部后果”。Fu asked that his latest letter be circulated as an official document of the UN General Assembly under agenda item 120.傅聪要求将其最新信函作为联合国大会正式文件,列入议程第120项进行分发。Munir Akram, a seasoned diplomat and former permanent representative of Pakistan to the United Nations in New York and Geneva, told China Daily in a recent exclusive interview in New York that Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan were "not appropriate".资深外交官、巴基斯坦前常驻联合国纽约和日内瓦代表穆尼尔·阿克拉姆近日在纽约接受《中国日报》独家专访时表示,高市早苗关于台湾问题的言论“不恰当”。"I think everybody realizes how sensitive China is on the issue of the one-China principle and on any indication of encouragement of separatism from Taiwan," Akram said. "It is my hope

Dec 2, 20254 min

Ep 224英语新闻丨China to boost green industry cooperation

China will deepen multilateral cooperation on green technologies, support its new energy vehicle, battery and photovoltaic enterprises in expanding globally, and accelerate the low-carbon transition of its sprawling manufacturing sector, said the nation's top industry regulator.中国工业主管部门负责人表示,中国将深化绿色技术的多边合作,支持新能源汽车、电池和光伏企业“走出去”,并加快庞大制造业体系的低碳转型。Li Lecheng, minister of industry and information technology, said in an exclusive signed article written for China Daily that when global climate governance encounters setbacks and some nations are backsliding on their commitments, China's determination to pursue a green transition in manufacturing underlines its drive to foster new quality productive forces and pursue high-quality development.工业和信息化部部长李乐成在为《中国日报》撰写的署名文章中表示,当全球气候治理遭遇挫折、部分国家在承诺上出现倒退时,中国坚持推动制造业绿色转型,凸显了其培育新质生产力、推动高质量发展的决心。China will "encourage competitive Chinese enterprises in photovoltaics, wind power, lithium batteries and new energy vehicles to expand globally and to invest in and develop green energy projects in countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative and beyond", Li said.李乐成表示,中国将“鼓励具有竞争力的光伏、风电、锂电和新能源汽车企业加快全球布局,在共建“一带一路”国家和其他地区投资并开发绿色能源项目”。President Xi Jinping announced China's new Nationally Determined Contributions in his video speech in September to the United Nations Climate Summit 2025. Xi said that China will, by 2035, expand the installed capacity of wind and solar power to over six times the 2020 levels, striving to bring the total to 3,600 gigawatts, and make new energy vehicles the mainstream in the sales of new vehicles.习近平主席在今年9月的联合国2025气候峰会视频讲话中宣布了中国新的国家自主贡献目标。他指出,到2035年,中国风电和光伏装机容量将扩大到2020年的六倍以上,总装机规模力争达到3600吉瓦,同时让新能源汽车成为新车销售的主流。"The deep impetus for the green transition of China's sprawling manufacturing sector stems from President Xi's ecological civilization concept," Li said, adding that China's new NDC targets demonstrate a pragmatic and actionable ambition for emission reductions.李乐成称,“中国庞大制造业推进绿色转型的根本动力源自习近平生态文明思想”,新的国家自主贡献目标体现了务实且可操作的减排雄心。Highlighting that "China has built the world's largest new energy industry chain", Li said the country's renewable energy products are exported to over 200 countries and regions. Such products meet more than 80 percent of the global demand for photovoltaic modules and 70 percent of the global demand for wind power equipment. Meanwhile, over half of the world's electric vehicles run on Chinese roads.李乐成强调,“中国已建成全球规模最大的新能源产业链”,其可再生能源产品出口至200多个国家和地区,供应全球80%以上的光伏组件需求和70%的风电装备需求。同时,全球超过一半的电动汽车在中国道路上运行。"China has also collaborated with more than 100 countries and regions on green energy projects. ... These initiatives demonstrate the tangible impact of Chinese solutions in helping other developing nations address climate change while fostering economic growth," Li added.他补充说,“中国已与100多个国家和地区开展绿色能源合作项目……这些举措展示了中国方案在帮助广大发展中国家应对气候变化、促进经济增长方面的实质性成效”。According to Li, from 2021 to 2024, China produced about 15.6 trillion kilowatts of photovoltaic modules, which has helped the world generate about 3.2 trillion kilowatt-hours of green electricity and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by roughly 2.54 billion metric tons.据李乐成介绍,2021至2024年,中国生产光伏组件约15.6万亿千瓦,可帮助全球产生约3.2万亿千瓦时绿色电力,减少约25.4亿吨二氧化碳排放。China will also promote international cooperation in green infrastructure and transportation solutions, and actively participate in shaping international green and low-carbon regulations, he said.他表示,中国还将推动绿色基础设施和绿色交通方案的国际合作,并积极参与制定全球绿色低碳规则。Li outlined a systematic approach to reinforcing the green development of China's manufacturing economy, focusing on modernizing the industrial system, building green supply chains and deepening international cooperation.李乐成指出,中国将通过系统化路径推动制造业绿色发展,重点包括现代化产业体系建设、绿色供应链构建及深化国际合作。"China will strategically plan and deploy future-oriented energy and manufacturing industries, including hydrogen energy, energy storage, bio-manufacturing and carbon capture, utilization and storage," he said.他说,“中国将前瞻性布局氢能、储能、生物制造以及碳捕集、利用与封存(CCUS)等未来能源与制造业方向”。The senior official also emphasized technological innovation as the core driver for sustainable development. Nearly half of Chinese enterprises engaged in or planned green tech innovation in 2024, according to data from the China National Intellectual Property Administration.这位高层官员同时强调,技术创新是可持续发展的核心动力。国家知识产权局数据显示,2024年近一半中国企业已开展或计划开展绿色技术创新。"Over the past decade, China has contributed to a cumulative reduction of over 60 percent and 80 percent, respectively, in the global average levelized cost of electricity for wind power and solar photovoltaic technologies," Li said.李乐成表示,“过去十年,中国促使全球风电与光伏发电的平准化成本分别下降超过60%和80%”。"An ancient Chinese proverb reads: 'Those who persevere in action will achieve their goals.' ... No matter how the international landscape shifts, (China's manufacturing industry) remains committed to honoring its pledge of building a community with a shared future for mankind through tangible green initiatives," he added.他引用古语:“行而不辍,未来可期。”并补充称,无论国际形势如何变化,中国制造业都将继续以实际绿色行动践行

Dec 2, 20255 min

Ep 225英语新闻丨乌克兰与美国将举行和平谈判

Ukrainian negotiators are due to hold talks in Florida on Sunday, as the country's representatives traveled to the United States to work on a renewed push to end the conflict.乌克兰谈判代表预计将于周日在佛罗里达举行会谈。乌方代表团已前往美国,寻求推动结束冲突的新一轮努力。Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X that the delegation, headed by national security chief Rustem Umerov, was on its way to "swiftly and substantively work out the steps needed" to end the conflict.乌克兰总统弗拉基米尔·泽连斯基在X平台上写道,由国家安全负责人鲁斯捷姆·乌梅罗夫率领的代表团正赶赴美国,“以便迅速并实质性地制定结束冲突所需的步骤”。US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, were expected to sit down with a Ukrainian delegation to further hash out the details of a proposed peace framework.美国国务卿马可·鲁比奥、特使史蒂夫·维特科夫以及美国总统唐纳德·特朗普的女婿贾里德·库什纳预计将与乌克兰代表团会面,进一步商谈拟议中的和平框架细节。A US delegation is expected to travel to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the second half of this week.预计本周下半周,美国代表团将前往莫斯科,与俄罗斯总统弗拉基米尔·普京举行会谈。On Friday, just before the Florida sit-down, Zelensky announced the resignation of the head of his office, Andriy Yermak, who was the country's lead negotiator in talks with the US.周五,就在佛罗里达会谈前夕,泽连斯基宣布其办公厅主任安德烈·叶尔马克辞职。叶尔马克一直是乌美谈判的首席代表。Earlier in the day, anti-corruption authorities conducted searches in Yermak's home as part of an investigation, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau said, without giving further details.据乌克兰国家反腐败局表示,当天早些时候,反腐部门曾搜查叶尔马克的住所,但未透露进一步细节。It was only a week ago that Rubio had met with Yermak in Geneva, with each side saying the talks had been positive in putting together a revised peace plan.就在一周前,鲁比奥还在日内瓦与叶尔马克会面,双方均表示会谈有助于推动新版和平计划的制定。Now, the Ukrainian delegation includes Andrii Hnatov, the head of Ukraine's armed forces; Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine's foreign minister; and Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine's security council, Zelensky has said.泽连斯基表示,目前乌克兰代表团成员包括乌克兰武装部队总司令安德烈·赫纳托夫、外交部长安德烈·西比哈,以及国家安全委员会主席鲁斯捷姆·乌梅罗夫。Diplomats have been focused on revising the US-proposed 28-point peace plan unveiled last month.外交官员们一直致力于修订上月发布的、由美国提出的28点和平方案。Following its release, representatives from the US, Ukraine and several European countries met in Geneva to discuss the plan.方案公布后,美国、乌克兰及多个欧洲国家的代表在日内瓦举行了讨论。After the discussions, the plan has been cut down to 19 points but has not been made public.经过磋商,该方案已缩减至19点,但尚未对外公开。Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that Moscow has received the parameters of the peace plan for Ukraine adjusted following consultations in Geneva.克里姆林宫发言人德米特里·佩斯科夫周五表示,莫斯科已收到日内瓦磋商后调整过的乌克兰和平计划参数。"The main parameters have been communicated, and there will be a discussion in Moscow next week," Peskov said.“主要参数已经传达,下周将在莫斯科展开讨论。”佩斯科夫称。He said the Kremlin will not disclose all details of the plan, adding that everything will be discussed.其表示,克里姆林宫不会披露全部内容,所有细节都将在会谈中讨论。Trump said on Tuesday that he would send Witkoff and perhaps Kushner to Moscow this week to meet with Putin about the plan.特朗普周二表示,他将派维特科夫以及可能包括库什纳在内的特使本周前往莫斯科,与普京讨论该计划。On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron will host Zelensky for talks in Paris, the French presidency announced.法国总统府宣布,周一法国总统埃马纽埃尔·马克龙将在巴黎会见泽连斯基。Macron's office said the two leaders will "discuss the situation and the conditions for a just and lasting peace, in continuity with the Geneva discussions, the US plan, and in close coordination with our European partners".马克龙办公室表示,两国领导人将“讨论当前局势和实现公正、持久和平的条件,这将延续日内瓦讨论成果、美国方案,并与欧洲伙伴保持密切协调”。Despite the diplomatic efforts, fighting on the battlefield shows no signs of easing.尽管外交努力持续进行,但战场上的战斗没有任何缓和迹象。On Saturday, Russian drone and missile attacks in and around Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, killed at least three people and wounded dozens more, officials said.乌方官员表示,周六俄罗斯在乌克兰首都基辅及周边地区发动的无人机和导弹袭击造成至少三人死亡、数十人受伤。Fresh attacks overnight into Sunday killed one person and wounded 19 others, local officials said, when a drone hit a nine-story apartment block in the city of Vyshhorod in the Kyiv region.当地官员称,周日凌晨的新一轮袭击导致一人死亡、19人受伤,其中一架无人机击中了基辅州维什霍罗德市的一栋九层公寓楼。In Russia, a major oil terminal near the port of Novorossiysk stopped operations on Saturday after a strike by unmanned boats damaged one of its three mooring points, according to a statement from the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which owns the terminal.据拥有该终端的里海石油管道联盟表示,俄罗斯新罗西斯克港附近的一座大型石油终端在遭无人艇袭击后暂停运营,其中一个系泊点受损。Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, confirmed that Ukraine had carried out the attack.乌克兰国家安全与国防委员会反虚假信息中心负责人安德烈·科瓦连科证实,袭击由乌方实施。Russia will notify all international platforms about the attack, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Sunday, as cited by state-run RIA news agency.俄新社援引俄外交部发言人玛丽亚·扎哈罗娃的话称,俄罗斯将就此次袭击通知所有国际机构。Commenting on the incident, Zakharova said Ukraine's actions now pose a threat to global security.扎哈罗娃表示,乌克兰的行为正对全球安全构成威胁。peace talks和平谈判drone attack无人机袭击missile strike导弹攻击mooring point系泊点

Dec 1, 20254 min