Man United agrees deal with two Chinese companies

 　　LONDON, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- English Premier¹ League side Manchester United on Tuesday agreed two three-year sponsorships with Chinese companies, China Construction Bank (CCB) and soft drinks manufacturer Wahaha.

　　As part of the agreement, United's first with a Chinese bank, CCB will hold the rights exclusively to produce the official Manchester United branded credit card in mainland China.

　　United's commercial director Richard Arnold said, "Manchester United has a huge following in China of 108 million. We know from our visits there, including the one to Shanghai last summer, that our Chinese followers² have always been among the most supportive.

　　"Through our relationship with CCB we hope not only to give fans an excellent product, but also bring them closer to the club they so passionately³ support."The new three-year deal will see Wahaha become the club's first official soft drinks partner in China.

　　Founded in 1987, Wahaha has been the largest beverage⁴ producer in China for the past 11 years.

1 premier   

adj.首要的；n.总理，首相

参考例句：

• The Irish Premier is paying an official visit to Britain.爱尔兰总理正在对英国进行正式访问。
• He requested that the premier grant him an internview.他要求那位总理接见他一次。

2 followers   

追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件

参考例句：

• the followers of Mahatma Gandhi 圣雄甘地的拥护者
• The reformer soon gathered a band of followers round him. 改革者很快就获得一群追随者支持他。

3 passionately   

ad.热烈地，激烈地

参考例句：

• She could hate as passionately as she could love. 她能恨得咬牙切齿，也能爱得一往情深。
• He was passionately addicted to pop music. 他酷爱流行音乐。

4 beverage   

n.(水，酒等之外的)饮料

参考例句：

• The beverage is often colored with caramel.这种饮料常用焦糖染色。
• Beer is a beverage of the remotest time.啤酒是一种最古老的饮料。