CNN 2009-12-29

JOHN VAUSE: I am John Vause in Beijing. Christmas is still relatively¹ new here in China only really celebrated² within the last 10 years. In fact, there was a time when you couldn't display a sign which read Merry Christmas because of the religious meanings, but now it seems Christmas is everywhere.

It's mostly a commercial holiday, a chance for retailers³ to cash in. And on Christmas eve, many go out to the restaurants, bars, and clubs to party into the wee hours. And on Christmas day, well, that's a working day, like any other.

MORGAN NEILL: I am Morgan Neill in London, and one of the city's busiest shopping districts and what we are looking at is one of the oldest Christmas traditions, and that's last-minute shopping. Now why is so much of it going on. Some people say they did not get paid in time. Some say they have not had time to do their shopping and others have just taken a little too long to get into the Christmas spirit.

 

1 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

2 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

3 retailers   

零售商，零售店( retailer的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• High street retailers reported a marked increase in sales before Christmas. 商业街的零售商报告说圣诞节前销售量显著提高。
• Retailers have a statutory duty to provide goods suitable for their purpose. 零售商有为他们提供符合要求的货品的法定义务。