让你10分钟了解中国

 What is China ?

The People's Republic of China,commonly known as China,is located in east Asia, and borders 14 nations or any other county in the world.
It is the most populous 1 state in the world with a 1.3 billion citizens,while the world's population is 6.8 billion.That means other every 5 people in the world,one is Chinese.
China's made of 56 distinctive(显著的，特殊的) ethnic 2 groups(民族)with Han Chinese making the 92% of its whole population.
China is a single party state govemed by the Communist Party of China,whose power is enshrined in Chinese constitution.
Though China is officially an atheist 3 country,its religious roots lie within Confucianism,Buddhism and Taoism,and from these most social and moral values are derived(衍生，起源_).There are also a significant number of Chinese Muslims,who arrived via the silk road trade route and still retain (保持，保留)their distinct culture.
History
China is one of the world oldest civilizations,dating back more than 5 million year and was ruled by successive(持续的) dynasties until 1912.
During these time,many great discoveries in tields(领域) of science and technology were made,including the inventions of printing,paper,gun power and compass.
This period also saw the construction of many landmarks 4 such as the great wall which streches(延伸，扩展)over 4000 miles,equals to 30 return travels from London to Paris.
After a period of foreign occupation and civil war(内战),the Communist Party of China led by Mao gained control of mainland China in 1949 and established PRC.
The modern China of today is as much shaped by its past as its rapidly looking to the future.While many of its big cities are comparable to(类似) any in the wast,the underlying 5 culture is still vastly different.Traveling outside large urban areas also highlights(使显著) the growing disparity between rich and poor(贫富差距).
Language
Chinese which is the most widely spoken language in the world as well as one of the most impenetrable(难以理解的)for foreigners.There are many regional dialects of Chinese although the most widely spoken is Mandarin(普通话) and Cantonese(粤语).
Chinese characters(汉字) evolved over time from earlier forms of hieroglyphs(象形文字). Chinese contains over 40,000 characters,but a well-educated person can recongnize around 6000 characters,some 3000 are required to read a newspaper.
Chinese calendar
Chinese Zodiac(十二宫图)'s a scheme(计划、方案) that relates each year to an animal.This is the year of the rabbit.
Chinese new year is the most important of traditional Chinese holidays.Windows and doors will be decorated with red color paper-cuts(剪纸) and couplets with popular themes of happiness,wealth,and longevity(长寿).On the Eve of Chinese New Year,supper is a feast with families.The family will end the night with firecrackers.Early the next morning,children will meet their parents by wishing them a healthy and happy new year,and receive money in red paper envelops 6
Chinese people love red color,which symbolizes 7 prosperity(繁荣) and good luck.
The period around Chinese new year is also the time of the largest human migration 8 and between 150 and 200 million migrant workers(农民工) in China bring home their earnings 9 and go to have a unit dinner with their families on Chinese new year eve.
Youth
Most married couples in China are subjected to one child policy,which is introduced in 1979 to curb(控制) massive(大量的)population growth.It is believed to have prevented more than 300 million births since then.
Another consequence of the policy has been the emergence(出现) of so called "little emperors",a generation of self-centered consumers has developed.
While Chinese education system has rapidly developed,there remains 10 a heavy emphasis(重点) on passing exams.The upshot of this is that exams dictate 11 the curriculum(课程) while Chinese students can master and memorize incredible amounts of knowledge and information,they often lack the ability to critically think,develop their own opinions,and engage in creative activities.(批判思维，独立思考和创新能力).
Due to the propensity 12 for preferring sons over daughters,China is facing a large population imbalance with currently around 120 boys born for every 100 girls.By 2020,there will be 30 million more men than women.
Economy
Since economic opening up and reform policy began in 1978,China's economy has grown 90 times bigger,and is the fastest growing major economy in the world.China's annual average GDP growth is predicted to be 9.5 percent for the period of 2011-2015.It is the world's largest exporter and the second largest importer of goods.
It is also known as the world's second biggest consumer of luxury goods.
It now has the world's second largest GDP at about 6 trillion US dollars,40 percent of the United States.Aothough its per capita income a 4300 US dollar is still low,and purs the China behind roughly a hundred countries.
China's growth has been uneven(不均衡) when comparing different geographic 13 regions and rural and urban areas.Development has also been mainly concentrated in the eastern coastal 14 regions,while the remainder of this country are left behind.
In the past decade,Chinese cities expanded at an average rate of 10 percent annually,a scale unprecedented 15 in human history.
China is a country crazy for skyscrapers 16 to show its economic booming.More than 200 skyscrapers are being built now.Within next 3 years,there will be one skyscrapers completed every five days in China,which will make the total 800 in five years in time,4 times as many in the States.
China is the world's factory.One out of every three household appliances(家电)/three toys/two pairs of shoes/two shirts are made in China.It has now become the world''s largest energy consumer,but relies on coal to supply about 70 percent of energy needs.Leading Chinese environmental campaigners have warned that water pollution is one of the most serious threats facing China now.Yet with 34.6 billion US dollars invested in clean technology in 2009,China is the world's leading investor 17 renewable energy technologies.China produces more wind turbines and solar panels(太阳能电池板) each year than any other country in the world.
Food
Being such a large and ethnically(独特的) diverse country,each region has its own local specialties 18 which the Chinese are often keen to try and introduce to others.Generally you will find hot and spicy 19 food in the western and central China and cooler food in the south and north.
A Chinese dining table is usually round allowing everyone to engage equally in conversation.It will be ser with empty bowls,plates,and chopsticks for each person,food dishes are placed into the center of the table to be shared between everyone.Don't be pur off(惊讶) if you see people spitting bones/seeds onto the plate,this is perfectly 20 normal.
Contrary to what you might find in your local China Town,Chinese food is generally healthy and often beautifully presented.Texture,flavor,color,and aroma 21 are key considerations for all Chinese cooks,even above nutritional 22 contents.
Chinese dining is about showing respect and hospitality(热情) for the guests,and is often used as an extension of the boardroom.
Heavy drinking is often a part of doing business,and it is expected that you'll keep up with others.If you do not want to drink alcohol,make it clear before you start.
Core concepts
Face Mianzi
The concept of "face" can be loosely described as someone's social status or reputation in the eyes of others.Throughout a Chinese person's life it must be maintained and enhanced through giving to and receiving from others in both words and actions.It may be something as small as who gets in the lift first to the awarding of multi-million dollar contracts.But without it you will have very little power or influence.
To make someone lose face or even unknowingly is a huge dishonor and could mean the end of a relationship.
Connections Guanxi
Guanxi literally(字面上) means "connections" or "relationships" as it essentially(本质上) boils down to exchanging favors."You scratch my back,I'll scratch yours."It can loosely be compared with the idea networking in the west,but usually goes much further in terms of developing and nurturing 23 the relationship through social exchanges and favors which must be repaid at greater value in time.
Relationships between family,friends and business associates are often closely interwoven.In such an environment,issues of corruption(贪污) are not uncommon 24 when guanxi obligations(义务，责任) take precedence over normal rules or laws.
The Doctrine 25 of the Mean Zhong Yong
Known as the Doctrine of the Mean or Golden Mean this concept(观念) involves balancing one's position among a group to maintain conformity 26 and a sense of harmony.To this while still achiceing ones personal objectives is considered the Chinese people the idea way of living.This can be applied 27 to the workplace,where one should behave in a way which is seen to be beither ambitious nor lazy at the same time.
Chinese people never openly criticize,ignore or make fun of a person in front of others,even jokingly.When discussing individual performance,they always emphasize good point before bad ones.
Chinese may ask you personal questions or make observations about your age,income,religion or appearance.Don't take it personally.Likewise Chinese rarely say "please" or "thanke you" as this is seen as unnecessary formality between friends or family.
In the Chinese meeting,often only the most senior attendees will talk and all questions should be directed to those people.Silence is not a sign of weakness in China.Often the unsaid message is more important than what is being said verbally.
To be successful in China requires different ways of thinking.A chinese historian Professor puts this way:Chinese people are frank yet tactful(耿直却又圆滑),honest yet sophisticated(坦诚却又世故),suspicious yet gullible(多疑却又轻信),unscrupulous yet loyal(讲实惠却又重义气),advocate etiquette 28 yet often appear unmannered,stand for the golden mean yet are extreme,value the quality of being thrifty(节俭) yet like to parade their wealth,maintain traditions when convenient yet love to chase modern fashion,believe contentment brings happiness yet often daydream 29 about becoming overnight millionaires,believe the word of fortune yet lack affiliation 30 to any religion.
This is China,one big contradiction which refuses to be placed in a box. In China you will find all extremes but that's all part of the challenge and adventure of doing business here. Be patient and have fun.




点击收听单词发音  






1
populous

  
 


adj.人口稠密的，人口众多的


参考例句：





London is the most populous area of Britain.伦敦是英国人口最稠密的地区。
China is the most populous developing country in the world.中国是世界上人口最多的发展中国家。












2
ethnic

  
 


adj.人种的，种族的，异教徒的


参考例句：





This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。












3
atheist

  
 


n.无神论者


参考例句：





She was an atheist but now she says she's seen the light.她本来是个无神论者，可是现在她说自己的信仰改变了。
He is admittedly an atheist.他被公认是位无神论者。












4
landmarks

  
 


n.陆标( landmark的名词复数 )；目标；（标志重要阶段的）里程碑 ~ (in sth)；有历史意义的建筑物（或遗址）


参考例句：





The book stands out as one of the notable landmarks in the progress of modern science. 这部著作是现代科学发展史上著名的里程碑之一。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
The baby was one of the big landmarks in our relationship. 孩子的出世是我们俩关系中的一个重要转折点。 来自辞典例句












5
underlying

  
 


adj.在下面的，含蓄的，潜在的


参考例句：





The underlying theme of the novel is very serious.小说隐含的主题是十分严肃的。
This word has its underlying meaning.这个单词有它潜在的含义。












6
envelops

  
 


v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的第三人称单数 )


参考例句：





He glued many envelops yesterday. 他昨天用胶粘了许多信封。 来自辞典例句
Ask your friends or mother and father to save used envelops for you. 让你的朋友或父母为你留下用过的信封。 来自英语晨读30分（高二）












7
symbolizes

  
 


v.象征，作为…的象征( symbolize的第三人称单数 )


参考例句：





The use of light and dark symbolizes good and evil. 用光明与黑暗来象征善与恶。
She likes olive because It'symbolizes peace. 她喜欢橄榄色因为它象征着和平。 来自《简明英汉词典》












8
migration

  
 


n.迁移，移居，（鸟类等的）迁徙


参考例句：





Swallows begin their migration south in autumn.燕子在秋季开始向南方迁移。
He described the vernal migration of birds in detail.他详细地描述了鸟的春季移居。












9
earnings

  
 


n.工资收人；利润，利益，所得


参考例句：





That old man lives on the earnings of his daughter.那个老人靠他女儿的收入维持生活。
Last year there was a 20% decrease in his earnings.去年他的收入减少了20%。












10
remains

  
 


n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹


参考例句：





He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。












11
dictate

  
 


v.口授；(使)听写；指令，指示，命令


参考例句：





It took him a long time to dictate this letter.口述这封信花了他很长时间。
What right have you to dictate to others?你有什么资格向别人发号施令？












12
propensity

  
 


n.倾向；习性


参考例句：





He has a propensity for drinking too much alcohol.他有酗酒的倾向。
She hasn't reckoned on his propensity for violence.她不曾料到他有暴力倾向。












13
geographic

  
 


adj.地理学的，地理的


参考例句：





The city's success owes much to its geographic position. 这座城市的成功很大程度上归功于它的地理位置。 来自《简明英汉词典》
Environmental problems pay no heed to these geographic lines. 环境问题并不理会这些地理界限。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法












14
coastal

  
 


adj.海岸的，沿海的，沿岸的


参考例句：





The ocean waves are slowly eating away the coastal rocks.大海的波浪慢慢地侵蚀着岸边的岩石。
This country will fortify the coastal areas.该国将加强沿海地区的防御。












15
unprecedented

  
 


adj.无前例的，新奇的


参考例句：





The air crash caused an unprecedented number of deaths.这次空难的死亡人数是空前的。
A flood of this sort is really unprecedented.这样大的洪水真是十年九不遇。












16
skyscrapers

  
 


n.摩天大楼


参考例句：





A lot of skyscrapers in Manhattan are rising up to the skies. 曼哈顿有许多摩天大楼耸入云霄。
On all sides, skyscrapers rose like jagged teeth. 四周耸起的摩天大楼参差不齐。












17
investor

  
 


n.投资者，投资人


参考例句：





My nephew is a cautious investor.我侄子是个小心谨慎的投资者。
The investor believes that his investment will pay off handsomely soon.这个投资者相信他的投资不久会有相当大的收益。












18
specialties

  
 


n.专门，特性，特别；专业( specialty的名词复数 )；特性；特制品；盖印的契约


参考例句：





Great Books are popular, not pedantic. They are not written by specialists about specialties for specialists. 名著绝不引经据典，艰深难懂，而是通俗易读。它们不是专家为专业人员撰写的专业书籍。 来自英汉 - 翻译样例 - 文学
Brain drains may represent a substantial reduction in some labor force skills and specialties. 智力外流可能表示某种劳动力技能和特长大量减少。 来自辞典例句












19
spicy

  
 


adj.加香料的；辛辣的，有风味的


参考例句：





The soup tasted mildly spicy.汤尝起来略有点辣。
Very spicy food doesn't suit her stomach.太辣的东西她吃了胃不舒服。












20
perfectly

  
 


adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地


参考例句：





The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。












21
aroma

  
 


n.香气，芬芳，芳香


参考例句：





The whole house was filled with the aroma of coffee.满屋子都是咖啡的香味。
The air was heavy with the aroma of the paddy fields.稻花飘香。












22
nutritional

  
 


adj.营养的，滋养的


参考例句：





A diet lacking in nutritional value will not keep a person healthy.缺乏营养价值的饮食不能维持人的健康。
The labels on food products give a lot of information about their nutritional content.食品上的标签提供很多关于营养成分的信息。












23
nurturing

  
 


养育( nurture的现在分词 )； 培育； 滋长； 助长


参考例句：





These delicate plants need careful nurturing. 这些幼嫩的植物需要精心培育。
The modern conservatory is not an environment for nurturing plants. 这个现代化温室的环境不适合培育植物。












24
uncommon

  
 


adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的


参考例句：





Such attitudes were not at all uncommon thirty years ago.这些看法在30年前很常见。
Phil has uncommon intelligence.菲尔智力超群。












25
doctrine

  
 


n.教义；主义；学说


参考例句：





He was impelled to proclaim his doctrine.他不得不宣扬他的教义。
The council met to consider changes to doctrine.宗教议会开会考虑更改教义。












26
conformity

  
 


n.一致，遵从，顺从


参考例句：





Was his action in conformity with the law?他的行动是否合法？
The plan was made in conformity with his views.计划仍按他的意见制定。












27
applied

  
 


adj.应用的；v.应用，适用


参考例句：





She plans to take a course in applied linguistics.她打算学习应用语言学课程。
This cream is best applied to the face at night.这种乳霜最好晚上擦脸用。












28
etiquette

  
 


n.礼仪，礼节；规矩


参考例句：





The rules of etiquette are not so strict nowadays.如今的礼仪规则已不那么严格了。
According to etiquette,you should stand up to meet a guest.按照礼节你应该站起来接待客人。












29
daydream

  
 


v.做白日梦，幻想


参考例句：





Boys and girls daydream about what they want to be.孩子们遐想着他们将来要干什么。
He drifted off into another daydream.他飘飘然又做了一个白日梦。












30
affiliation

  
 


n.联系，联合


参考例句：





There is no affiliation between our organization and theirs,even though our names are similar.尽管两个组织的名称相似，但我们之间并没有关系。
The kidnappers had no affiliation with any militant group.这些绑架者与任何军事组织都没有紧密联系。