英语角-圆桌会议 RoundTable0217 - 中外联姻数量10年间下降

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The local authorities now are investigating such centers in the province, which according to media reports, are actually continuing the abolished system of reeducation through labor.

Are they just a disguise for labor camps?

Topic2 China Unlikely to Reduce Coal Use in the Next DecadeChina has vowed² to reduce the use of coal to less than 65% of the country's total energy consumption in 2014. But experts say it is an arduous³ task, and the country is unlikely to cut coal consumption to less than 60% of total during the next decade. Currently, coal accounts for 70% of China's total energy consumption.

Really? What are the forecasts?

Topic3 Judges on the runMost people would assume that being a judge trumps⁴ being a lawyer. It is assumed that judges get more pay, more respect and better career prospects⁵.

But often, this could not be further from the truth, in China.

As a result of the low pay and intense workloads⁶, grass-roots courts nationwide are faced with an exodus⁷ of judges.

How serious is the problem?

Topic4 China the leading place for counterfeit⁸ goods?

The United States has named China the leading place for physical markets selling counterfeit goods, while websites in Europe, South America and Canada led in online sales of fakes.

US Trade Representative Michael Froman said the Notorious Markets List for 2013 was aimed at helping⁹ the United States and foreign governments prioritize enforcement of intellectual property rights.

Is there a crisis in China?

Topic5 Fewer Chinese marrying foreignersThere has been a rather steep decline in the number of Chinese-foreign marriages in China in recent years.

The number of Chinese marrying foreigners reached its peak at the turn of the century.

There were 79,000 Chinese-foreign marriages in 2001.

53,000 such couples tied the knot in 2012.

You would assume with China opening up to the world, more international marriages will take place. Why is there a decline?

Topic6 Getting Reward for Returning MoneyRecently, an elder man in Wuhan goes to the bank to withdraw 3,000 yuan. The teller¹⁰ makes a mistake and gives him 30,000 yuan. The elder returns the extra money right away. However, when he tells his friend about it, many call him stupid for not asking for any reward.

So the next day, the elder go to the bank again, demanding a reward. He gets a mug which is about 6.5 yuan.

As a result, a good deed that is supposed to make both sides happy leads to an awkward ending.

Whose fault is that? The bank's or the old man's?

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