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(单词翻译:双击或拖选)
The Beijing Hour
Evening Edition
Spencer Musick with you on this Tuesday February 23rd 2016.
Welcome to the Beijing Hour, live from the Chinese capital...
Coming up on the program this evening...
China's top court responding to public concerns over the country's urban development plan...
Beijing Municipal authorities detailing yet more measures to strengthen air pollution control efforts in the capital...
And Syria saying it consents to a cessation of hostilities2 as agreed upon by the U.S. and Russia...
In business..Consumption in China forecast to grow at a quick pace this year...
In sports...Chinese clubs have got their AFC Champions League campaign underway...
In entertainment...The cast of "Crouching3 Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny" make their US debut4...
Top News
China's Top Court Addresses Public Concern Over Urban Development
China's top court on Tuesday addressed public concerns brought in the course of recently released national urban planning guidelines.
China's central authorities on Sunday released new guidelines on urban development, which said the country would no longer build enclosed residential5 communities in cities.
The document also indicated that existing residential areas would be gradually opened for public access.
The announcement has caused concerns that the planned measures would infringe6 on the legal rights of existing property owners.
Cheng Xin-wen is a presiding judge at China's Supreme7 People's Court. He explained on Tuesday that under China's property laws, residents of enclosed communities collectively own private roads and spaces within the communities.
But Cheng urged lawmakers to properly address the private to public transition within the legal framework, and to facilitate China's long-term urban planning goals.
Fu Zhong-wen is a senior partner at China's Long An law firm. He explains further.
"Residents and developers paid for the land when the construction began, therefore they legally own the private spaces in their communities. However, according to China's property and urban land management laws, the government could expropriate the land if public interest is involved. And residents must be properly compensated10 for the public use of the land."
China began building enclosed residential communities in the 1950's. However, as the pace of urbanization quickens, city planners say these structures have hampered11 proper urban development.
Beijing to Take Several Measures to Control Air Pollution
Beijing Municipal authorities have pledged to strengthen air pollution control efforts in the capital.
Measures include setting up more air quality monitoring stations, as well as building a web of ventilation corridors to expel smog and pollutants12.
Chen Jining, Minister of Environmental Protection, said there are a variety of issues to be resolved.
"First of all, we should solve the coal burning issue in Beijing. By the end of this year, coal in 400 villages in the capital will be replaced by clean energy sources, and all the power plants burning coal will be shut down. Secondly13, controls on automobiles14 burning diesel15 oil will be strengthened, and the restriction16 measures on such vehicles during periods of heavy pollution will be intensified17."
The issues also include pollution brought by some industrial plants in the capital, as well as strengthening the emergency response during heavy pollution days.
Beijing will also cooperate with neighboring Tianjin Municipality and Hebei Province on the issue.
The area will start using uniform criteria18 while issuing pollution alerts by the end of March.
Yu Jianhua, chief engineer of Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau, said these efforts can maximize regional environmental benefits.
"The coordinated19 regional development could pave way for the 3 sides to help supply each other's needs and work collaboratively. For example, Beijing could make good use of its advantage on funds so as to enlarge the environmental benefits in Hebei through our assistance."
The uniform alert system will first apply to Beijing, Tianjin and 4 other cities in Hebei Province.
Chinese Smartphone Makers9 in the Spotlight20 at Mobile World Congress
Anchor
Chinese smartphone makers have been continually gaining ground in the global market as of late.
CRI's Victor Ning reports that this trend is on full display at the ongoing21 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
Reporter
Huawei, TCL Alcatel, Xiaomi and Lenovo are among the Chinese smartphone brands exhibiting this week at the Mobile World Congress.
Making their global ambitions known, these companies are vying22 to steal the spotlight at the show with new product launches.
Mid-range specifications23 and lower prices seem to be the main strategies that these Chinese firms are employing.
Shenzhen-based ZTE came with the ZTE Blade V7. The smartphone has a 5.2-inch, full HD screen with 2GB of RAM1. It also has a 13 megapixel back camera and a 5 megapixel front camera.
It is expected to go on sale for about 275 US dollars in markets like Spain, South Africa, Ethiopia and Mexico by this summer.
ZTE's CEO Adam Zeng says the company has global ambitions.
"In the future, our strategy is to leverage24 our success in China and the US, and the European markets, to expand into additional strategic countries around the globe. We hope that in the next three to five years, ZTE can be a top third smartphone vendor25 in select markets."
According to market tracking firm Strategy Analytics, ZTE currently claims 2.7% of the global smartphone market. That figure beats some well-known brands like Sony, but is still lower than those of other Chinese companies like Huawei, Xiaomi and Lenovo.
Best known for its computers, Lenovo brought to the show its latest Vibe K5 Plus phone. Main features include a 5-inch display and a Snapdragon 616 Octacore processor. Most importantly, it will only sell for 149 dollars in emerging markets.
Lenovo currently ranks fifth in the global market share race, with strong sales in Asia and especially in India.
Neil Mawston is a smartphone market analyst26 at Strategy Analytics. He says an ever changing market place has provided opportunities for companies from developing nations like China.
"The market historically for the last 30 years, in mobile, has always changed. Companies like Siemens from Germany used to make phones, now they don't. So the market always changes. I think how it is changing at the moment is that we are seeing a swing from developed markets to developing markets. So, more Chinese brands. More Indian brands. And I think potentially also more African brands in the future as well."
Some more established brands are feeling the Chinese competition. Sony purchased the mobile division of Ericsson mobile in 2012 and is aiming to make a splash in the smartphone sector27.
Sony brought to Barcelona the Sony Xperia X, which has similar mid-range features to the Chinese phones.
While Sony has not announced a price, Editor Nicole Scott from tech website MobileGeeks says the company faces some formidable Chinese rivals.
"So we are seeing the impact of the Chinese manufacturers here at Mobile World Congress. Everybody is launching a mid-range phone, because it is all about pricing. And we are definitely seeing that at the Sony launch, with the launch of the Xperia X which is a mid-range phone. But Sony is doing it with their own style, it looks good, everything feels high-end, but the specifications are quite budget. And that is definitely in competition to what we see from the Chinese manufacturers."
The Mobile World Congress runs until Thursday.
For CRI, I'm Victor Ning.
Chinese Tourists' "Bulk Shopping" in Japan Defused: Retailers29
Anchor
Retailers in Japan say that Chinese tourists spent less in Tokyo shops during the Lunar New Year holidays compared with last year.
Experts suggest that the phenomenon might be the result of a stronger yen30 as well as slower economic growth at home.
CRI's Xie Cheng reports.
Reporter
The number of Chinese mainland visitors to Japan last year doubled to 5 million from 2014, bringing the country's total tourist numbers to nearly 20 million.
Bulk shopping by some Chinese tourists at department stores and electronics shops has resulted in an enormous boost in retailers' sales after decades of sluggish31 demand from domestic consumers.
Such a phenomenon even created a buzzword in Japanese: "bagukai", meaning explosive buying.
However, at this time of the year, many retail28 shops and department stores discovered an overall drop in sales by 25 percent, even though the number of Chinese tourists to their stores remained nearly the same.
Katsuhito Takahashi, assistant manager at an electronics store Yodobashi Camera in Tokyo, said many tourists started to look at products very carefully.
"They used to buy just popular items like stainless32 steel bottles, now they've started to choose their favorite items such as cosmetics33."
Other stores like Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings said though they served a spiking34 number of Chinese mainland customers, each of them spent 15 percent less than a year ago.
Some Chinese tourists say they are moving away from the bulk purchase of Japanese goods and focusing more on other reasons for travel.
"I think the quality of Chinese products is getting better, so we don't need to come to Japan to buy daily necessities. The quality of Chinese products meets our everyday needs. As a young person, I think travelling is for gaining experience and knowledge, not merely for shopping."
"I think a lot of rich people intend to come here to buy electronics, but most of the young people like us want to experience more. We are here for sightseeing and eating good food."
Mizuho Research Institute Chief Economist35 Hajime Takata said the lower spending may result from the rise of Japan's currency, as well as a slowdown in China's economy.
However, he also believes that despite their shopping incentives36 having decreased, more Chinese tourists will become interested in experiencing Japan by visiting cultural spots or exploring nature.
"With the stable increase of Chinese tourists, I think Japan will enter a new phase of expanding its tourism beyond 'explosive buying,' into establishing a new business model of utilizing37 'experiences', rather than merely consumption, in broader sectors38 and areas of Japan."
For CRI, I'm Xie Cheng.
QA with Dr. Shao Yuqun on North Korea Nuke Issue
Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, is due to pay an official visit to the United States from today unitl Thursday.
During his trip, Wang Yi is due to meet with senior U.S. officials including Secretary of State John Kerry.
China's Foreign Ministry39 says that the North Korean nuclear issue would top Wang Yi's agenda for the trip.
Previously40, the Wall Street Journal reported that the White House secretly agreed to peace talks just before Pyongyang's latest nuclear bomb test.
The White House responded by saying that the United States rejected a North Korean proposal to discuss a peace treaty to formally end the Korean War because it did not address the issue of denuclearization on the peninsula.
For more on this issue, CRI's Brian Kopczinsky spoke41 with Dr. Shao Yuqun, Senior Research Fellow at Shanghai Institute of International Studies.
Back
Dr. Shao Yuqun, Senior Research Fellow at Shanghai Institute of International Studies, speaking with CRI's Brian Kopczinsky.
Syria Agrees to Cessation of Hostilities
Syria's Foreign Ministry has said the Syrian government consents to the observation of a cessation of hostilities as agreed upon by the U.S. and Russia.
The ministry says the military campaign against the Islamic State group and the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front will continue in accordance with the U.S.-Russian agreement.
It however warned that the Syrian army has the right to respond to any violation42 by opposition43 forces.
UN Official: Cessation of Hostilities in Syria a Big Challenge for UN
A UN official said plans for a cessation of hostilities in Syria could be a big challenge for the United Nations in terms of monitoring the ceasefire.
U.N. Deputy Chief Jan Eliasson made the remarks on Monday in an interview.
"If you have a ceasefire, a cessation of hostilities, which does not cover territory which is dominated by al Nusra and Daesh - ISIL - then that is of course a huge challenge for us in terms of monitoring and that we have to face later but it is a very complicated situation definitely but I think the danger that this could turn into something even more dangerous unites everybody right now."
The United States and Russia announced plans for a cessation of hostilities in Syria would take effect on February 27th.
The deal exclude militants44 from the Islamic State, Nusra Front and other groups the United Nations deems as terrorist groups.
Under the terms of the deal, the Syrian government and allied45 forces will cease attacks against armed opposition forces only.
Meantime, White House spokesman Josh Earnest has said though it will be difficult to implement46, the move presents a "moment of opportunity" and that the United States will try to capitalize on it.
"After all for years we have been trying to reach a diplomatic resolution to the many problems that plague that nation that has broken apart. But this is a moment of opportunity and it is the result of tenacious47 diplomacy48 on the part of Secretary Kerry and we are going to continue to try to capitalize on this moment of opportunity and we are hopeful that all of the other signatories to the document will do the same thing."
The remarks came as U.S. President Barack Obama has called Russian President Vladimir Putin at his request to discuss the agreement for the cessation of hostilities in Syria.
In a related development, the Syrian state news agency SANA reported that President Bashar al-Assad had set April 13th as the date for the parliamentary elections in Syria.
UNSC Syria Meeting
Anchor
The United Nations has confirmed it will investigate the use of chemical weapons at seven locations in Syria.
The announcement comes on the heels of a UN report which is suggesting all groups involved in the fighting in Syria have been engaged in activity among civilian49 populations that could amount to war crimes.
CRI's Nick Harper has more from UN headquarters in New York.
Reporter
The sensitive nature of this topic was clear at the United Nations, the first briefing from the new Chemical Weapons team taking place behind closed doors.
For the first time this team is mandated50 to apportion51 blame, to hold perpetrators accountable.
That's after the former mission established chemical weapons had been used inside Syria on several occasions, mainly against civilians52.
Something the head of the mission, Virginia Gamba, said would simply not be tolerated.
"Any use of toxic53 substances weapons by anybody anywhere under any circumstances is totally abhorrent54, and these acts will be identified and that they will be held accountable for their actions."
Gamba explained the mission has identified seven locations. Inspectors55 hope to begin work at those sites at the start of next month.
Also on Monday, came the release of the latest report from the independent investigation56 group that's tasked with looking at alleged58 violations59 of international human rights law in Syria.
Here's the chair of that commission, Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro.
"Not a single warring party respects international humanitarian60 law, the Geneva conventions, or the conventions on human rights. There is an encompassing61 disrespect for the rules of engagement in this war."
The latest report details how the widespread killing62 of civilians continues, with all sides carrying out "indiscriminate" attacks.
"The ongoing destruction of homes, hospitals, schools markets and bakeries makes it nearly impossible for people to meet most basic needs and forces them to live in constant fear for their lives. The Commission thinks that suffering of Syrian people must stop now. This carnage has to end."
The meetings at the United Nations came amid the news US Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov had set a new date for a "cessation of hostilities" - a temporary halt in the fighting - which is scheduled to start on Saturday.
However, last week a similar deadline came and went, and Syria was rocked by a weekend of violence with suicide blasts in the cities of Damascus and Homs.
The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon may have welcomed the new date, but internationally there's already skepticism whether the fighting will cease in any form on Saturday.
For CRI, I'm Nick Harper in New York
Death Toll63 of Cyclone64 Winston in Fiji Rises to 29
The death toll from a powerful cyclone that struck Fiji over the weekend has risen to 29.
Many officials have predicted that the casualties may continue to rise due to the number of injured and challanges in providing treatment.
Filipe Nainoca from Fijian Red Cross said authorities have taken measures to assist the country's 7th-largest island Koro.
"The government is sending teams, I think, the worst-hit island we call Koro Island, in the Lomaiviti group. The boat left last night (on Monday) with full team of government officials and also Red Cross staff to see the islands. They should be there this morning (Tuesday) and we should be hearing reports from them soon. But initial reports that were able to be established is that in this island villages were devastated65."
A relief vessel66 with about 30 people aboard arrived at the island with medical supplies, food and water.
Temporary shelters are also being built for thousands of residents on the island.
Aid workers have also warned of potential outbreaks of Zika and Dengue viruses, since mosquitoes carrying the viruses may breed in stagnant67 water left by the storm.
The destructive winds from Cyclone Winston have reached around 300 kilometers per hour, making it the strongest storm in Fiji's recorded history.
Rising Tigris River Levels Spark Mosul Dam Fears
Rising water levels along the Tigris River in Baghdad have elevated fears of flooding among residents and businesses.
Earlier US officials have warned of up to half-a-million deaths if the Mosul Dam, nearly a thousand miles upstream, collapsed68 due to poor maintenance.
But Iraq's Ministry of Water Resources has downplayed the risk and assured citizens that the rising water levels are normal.
Ali Radhi Thamir, Director-General of the State Committee of Irrigation and Drainage Projects described the situation.
''The measures taken by the Ministry of Water Resources to let some quantities of water flow into the river is something ordinary and normal. The ministry has annually69 taken such measures, mainly from storage in the dam in order to ensure safer and proper levels and to provide more space to the water quantities coming to the dam during the spring season.''
The dam was captured by Islamic State group militants in 2014.
A water resources engineer said the IS group occupation of the dam has had a negative effect on its safety, especially since the militants destroyed the superstructure and other necessary equipment.
Man Charged in Kalamazoo Rampage Denied Bail70
A man charged with six counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder in a series of random71 shootings in Michigan has been denied bail.
Forty-five-year-old Jason Dalton of Kalamazoo Township made his first court appearance Monday and indicated that he understood the charges.
President Barack Obama said on Monday he's pledging all needed federal assistance in response to the shooting.
"Earlier this year, I took some steps that will make it harder for dangerous people like this individual to buy a gun. But clearly, we're going to need to do more if we're going to keep innocent Americans safe. And I have got to assume that all of you are just as tired as I am of seeing this stuff happen in your states. So that's an area where we also need to partner and think about what we can do in a common-sense way, in a bipartisan way, without some of the ideological72 rhetoric73 that so often surrounds that issue."
The charges filed Monday by Kalamazoo County Prosecutor74 Jeff Getting also include weapons violations. The murder charges carry a mandatory75 life sentence.
An Uber passenger says he called the police to report an erratic76 driver more than an hour before authorities allege57 the driver began the shooting rampage.
Dalton was arrested on Sunday in Kalamazoo.
Headline News
Xi Urges Improved Policies for China's Aging Population
Chinese President Xi Jinping is calling for timely and comprehensive measures to cope with the country's aging population.
In a written instruction, Xi Jinping called for improved polices for birth, employment and elderly care.
He says coping with an aging population is crucial for development and the well-being77 of hundreds of millions of people.
He has stressed that the issue will be a key part of the government's development plan for the next five years.
Americans Continue to View China as Top Economic Power: Poll
A new Gallup poll shows that more Americans believe that China, rather than the United States, is the world's leading economic power.
The poll finds that 50 percent of Americans view China as the leading economic power, compared to 37 percent who believe their country is the top economy in the world.
Meanwhile, Gallup finds more Americans predicting that the United States will be the world's leading economic power in 20 years.
44 percent expect the US to be No. 1 at that time, eclipsing the 34 percent who name China as the world's future No. 1 economy in 20 years.
China Calls for More Representation of African Countries in UN Security Council
China's United Nations ambassador says Security Council reform should give top priority to increasing the representation of developing countries, especially African nations.
Addressing a General Assembly meeting on Security Council reform, ambassador Liu Jieyi noted78 that most issues deliberated at the council concern developing countries.
He says the reform of the council should reflect this a reality.
The number of UN member states has grown from 51 to 193.
Most of the newer members are developing countries.
Cuba to Deploy79 9,000 Troops to Prevent Zika Virus
Cuba is deploying80 9-thousand troops to strengthen vector control and sanitation81 efforts in a bid to prevent the entry of the Zika virus.
It's the latest move by the government to counter a possible outbreak of the virus.
A week ago, Cuba reinforced its epidemiological surveillance at 24 border points.
10 airports and 14 seaports82 have installed temperature scanners to inspect travellers.
The mosquito-borne disease has so far affected83 32 countries in Latin America.
Biz Reports
Stocks
Anchor
Time to check today's business news, starting with the closing market data here in Asia.
Here is CRI's Fei Fei with the numbers.
Reporter:
Mainland stocks closed in slightly negative territory on Tuesday on underperforming heavyweights.
The property sector led the losers witha 1.1 percent fall, along with shares in banking84 and energy.
At the close,
The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index finished off 0.8 percent.
The smaller Shenzhen Index was off 0.7 percent.
The small-cap ChiNext Index of growth enterprises slumped85 1.2 percent.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index also edged down 0.3 percent.
Elsewhere in Asia,
Tokyo shares ended the choppy trading Tuesday lower by erasing86 gains in the morning session.
Sentiment was lit up by rising oil prices but the Japanese yen's advance triggered selling of export oriented issues.
The benchmark Nikkei was off 0.4 percent.
South Korea's KOSPI inched down 0.1 percent.
Singapore's Straits Times added 0.4 percent.
And finally, Australia's ASX/200 dropped 0.4 percent.
Back Anchor
CRI's Fei Fei reporting.
China's Consumption Will Continue to Grow Fast in 2016
Consumption in China is forecasted to grow at a quick pace this year.
The country's Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng made the remark at a press conference in Beijing.
"The consumption growth in 2015 was continual based on the growth in 2014. I personally believe, and this is a general assessment87, that this trend will extend into 2016."
He added that the country's online retail sales last year ranked the first in the world while the total retail sales of consumer goods coming in second globally.
China's economy is in the process of transition to a consumption-led growth model from a traditional reliance on exports and investment.
Consumption made up for over 66 percent of China's GDP growth last year.
At the same time, the official also said that foreign trade continued to see good performance last year.
"China's foreign trade in 2015 outperformed other countries and has secured the top position for the three consecutive88 years since 2013."
China has been the number one developing country in attracting foreign investment for 24 straight years and is the third in foreign direct investment in the world.
Gao also noted that yuan's devaluation will not damper trade numbers.
"So I don't think the recent yuan fluctuations90, after carrying out yuan midpoint mechanism91 in the process of promoting yuan reform, will significantly impact trade performance."
The minister said that China's economy will keep a medium-high rate of growth this year.
The yuan has fallen a further 3 percent against the dollar after China devalued its currency by nearly 2 percent on last year.
China to Roll out More FTZs
China is expected to roll out 5 to 8 more free trade zones after the annual two sessions scheduled early next month.
A report from Economic Information Daily said that these new FTZs will be located inland and in near-border areas.
These new zones will focus on China's Belt and Road initiative that will link the country with Asian and European countries.
They will also help to open up the country's inland areas.
As many as 21 provinces have tabled proposals to build FTZs in their local legislatures since the start of this year.
These measures will be handed over to the country's top legistlature for debate next month.
Net Outflow of China's Financial ODI Surges in 2015
Anchor
Figures are suggestomg that capital outflows through the financial system in China over the course of this past year have not been as significant as some observers have been suggesting.
Stats from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange indicate foreign investment by Chinese financial firms through 2015 hit around 75-billion yuan, or some 1.2-billion US dollars.
This is double the amount spent by Chinese financial institutions during 2014.
Figures released by the Chinese government also show foreign financial companies poured in just under 70-billion yuan into the Chinese market last year, but also pulled around 20-billion out.
The net inflow of around 50-billion yuan through 2015 is down just under 2-billion yuan compared to the whole of 2014.
For more on the data, CRI's Bob Jones spoke earlier with Gao Shang, analyst with Guantong Futures92.
Back Anchor
That is Gao Shang, analyst with Guantong Futures, speaking with CRI's Bob Jones.
Chinese Uber Users Travel to 320 Cities Worldwide in Lunar New Year
Uber China has said that its users traveled to some 320 cities worldwide during this Spring Festival holiday, more than twice that of last year.
Data from the U.S. ride-hailing service show that the U.S. is the most popular destination, with Los Angeles being the city of choice.
China's financial hub Shanghai reported the most Uber users choosing to travel overseas, followed by Beijing, the southern metropolises93 of Guangzhou and Shenzhen, and then east China's Hangzhou and southwest China's Chengdu.
One Chengdu user had traveled 360 kilometers in one trip while in Miami, the longest of all Chinese Uber users.
Uber released its first Chinese New Year cross-border travel report last year.
Official data showed that six million Chinese travelled overseas during the holiday, spending an estimated 14 billion U.S. dollars.
China Reform Reportedly to Join Syngenta Purchase with ChemChina
Chinese investment firm China Reform Holdings is said to be in talks with China National Chemical Corporation to join a 43 billion U.S. dollar acquisition deal targeting Swiss company Syngenta.
ChemChina is also said to be in talks with several other investors94 regarding its proposal to purchase the Swiss seed maker8.
Those include a number of Chinese entities95 and also funds from Asia and other parts of the world.
Neither company has responded to the report.
The company agreed to buy the Basel-based Syngenta earlier this month.
Once the deal was sealed, it would be the largest such acquisition by a Chinese firm and also help to transform ChemChina into the world's largest supplier of pesticides96 and agrochemicals.
Anta Profit Surges 20 Percent in 2015
China's sportswear brand Anta has said its net profit surged 20 percent last year, thanks to a growth in kids' lines and online sales.
Its earnings97 rose to just above 2 billion yuan or 310 million U.S. dollars over the past year, in line with market expectations.
Sports
Luneng, Suning AFC Champions League Update
Beginning with Chinese football action.
Chinese clubs have got their AFC Champions League campaign underway.
Shandong Luneng who broke through two play-offs to qualify for Group F are visiting double Japanese champions Hiroshima Sanfrecce.
Luneng are without Wang Yongpo who is serving a one-match suspension for receiving two yellow cards in the play-offs.
Luneng are going to be hard-pressed to make it into the knockout stages from the "group of death" which also includes Korean Cup winners FC Seoul and four-time Thai champions Buriram United.
The Luneng-Hiroshima game is approaching full time and it is (UPDATE SCORE)
Also on the field are CFA Cup winners Jiangsu Suning against Vietnamese side Becamex Binh Duong.
New recruits Alex Teixeira, Ramires are both on the starting line-up.
The game has come to its last few minutes and it is (UPDATE SCORE)
The other two Chinese teams, Shanghai SIPG and defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande are scheduled to play tomorrow.
Champions League Favorites Prepared for Last 16 Tie
Anchor
In more football action,
The UEFA Champions League round of 16 starts to spice up tomorrow morning when two favorites take to the pitch.
CRI's Fu Yu brings us the breakdown98.
Reporter
European heavyweights Juventus and Bayern Munich are meeting in Turin for the first leg of their last 16 tie.
It is a well-matched game in every perspective as the Italian and German giants are both leading their respective domestic leagues.
And both have been hit with a string of injuries to weaken their defense99.
Bayern Munich are short of central defenders100. Holger Badstuber, Jerome Boateng and Javi Martinez are all sidelined.
Manager Pep Guardiola says they will have to make do with what they have.
"Well, yes, we have problems but what can we do about them? We have to face them. The fact is that we have lost power in our defense. Of course we still have Tasci and Benatia. One has just arrived and the other has had just a few training sessions, but this is the situation and we can't complaint about it. We will do our best with the players we have available."
The good news for Bayern is Franck Ribery's strong comeback and the immaculate form of attacking duo Thomas Mueller and Robert Lewandowski.
Arturo Vidal is back in Turin to face his old teammates with whom he fought into the final last year.
Mario Mandzukic remains101 a doubt but could recover in time to play against the team that he won a triple crown with.
Giorgio Chiellini and Sami Khedira can also be expected for Juventus.
Meanwhile, Arsenal102 are making their final preparations at home against tournament favorites Barcelona.
The Gunners have been knocked out twice at the stage by the Catalans.
But they beat Bayern Munich in the group stages and were the first of only two teams that have been able to upset the unstoppable German giants this season.
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud says this will inspire them to go all out.
"I think it will be a different game, but it's true that we can do very well in the Champions League - we just need to focus and be 100 per cent all together with good team cohesion103. We will put what we need into this game, a lot of commitment, determination and obviously this kind of game against Bayern needs to help us to win tomorrow."
Arsenal are hoping to reach the last eight for the first time in six years.
Luis Enrique's side are motivated to get through the Gunners on their way to becoming the first team that successfully defended the Champions League title since the reform.
Back anchor
CRI's Fu Yu reporting.
Warriors104 Fastest NBA Team to Reach 50 Wins
In the NBA,
The Golden State Warriors have become the fastest team to reach 50 wins in history after defeating the Atlanta Hawks105 102-92.
They hit that mark in 55 games.
In other results,
Detroit got past Cleveland 96-88.
Miami downed Indiana 101-93.
Toronto sank New York 122-95.
Milwaukee upset the Lakers 108-101.
Minnesota edged 124-122.
And it is the Clippers demolishing106 Phoenix107 128-84.
Tennis Results
In tennis,
Kei Nishikori is in the second round of the ATP 500 event in Acapulco, Mexico with an easy 6-0, 6-3 success over Thiemo de Bakker.
Other winners of today include Victor Estrella, Donald Young and Robin108 Haase.
In Dubai, Novak Djokovic, Feliciano Lopez, Vasek Pospisil all cruised past the first round.
Andreas Seppi and Viktor Triocki were stunned109.
On the women's side,
Chinese pair Zheng Saisai/Xu Yifan powered their way into the second round of the Qatar Open in straight sets 6-4, 6-4.
In singles action,
Winner in Dubai Sara Errani progressed in three sets over her Bulgarian opponent.
Roberta Vinci, Caroline Wozniacki, Jelena Jankovic are all through.
Vettel Fastest on First Day of Testing
In formula one,
Ferrari showed positive early signs on the first day of pre-season testing in their attempt to challenge Mercedes this upcoming season.
Sebastian Vettel ran for 69 laps on the Circuit de Barcelona in his new SF16-H.
He was almost half a second faster than Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes W07.
Vettel is generally happy and felt "at home" in the new car.
"For us we didn't do that many laps but I think overall we have plenty of reasons to be happy. Equally as I said we have plenty of things that we need to improve. Time is limited. It's not a secret that in four weeks we will be in Australia and that's why we know we have a lot of work to do."
Hamilton covered more than twice of Vettel's distance in 156 laps.
Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo was third, more than a second down on Vettel.
Eight other drivers tried out their cars on the day.
Hamilton's teammate Nico Rosberg and double champion Fernando Alonso are bringing their engines to life today.
Entertainment
Michelle Yeon Premieres "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" Sequel in California
The cast of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny", made their debut in Universal city, California on Monday for the upcoming sequel which will hit U.S. IMAX theaters and Netflix on Feb. 26.
Chinese-Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh, who returned to reprise the iconic original role of the swordswoman Yu Shu Lien110, expressed her excitement after many years' waiting since the first film of the series gained huge success.
"Yu Shu Lien is a character that I love. From the first day that I met her, I felt that she represents Chinese women well. She has inner beauty and she's a heroine with a loving heart. To play her again 16 years later, I felt that she's ascended111 to a different level. She leads a reclusive life and she's a true heroine. To protect the Sword of Destiny is a promise she made, and that's why she returned."
The sequal also stars Australian actress Natasha Liu Bordizzo, who is in her first movie appearance, playing Yeoh's apprentice112.
The newcomer joked about her martial113 arts skills during shooting.
"Master Yun himself, the legendary114 Master Yun, was there for my first day of holding a sword where I think I dropped it and hit myself in the face like five, six times. So yeah, no pressure at all."
Having already been released in China from last Friday, the sequel made a successful opening over the weekend with box office sales reaching about 21 million U.S. dollars.
'Faust' Tale Told with Peking Opera
A Peking Opera performance based on Goethe's masterpiece "Faust" was staged at the Mei Lanfang Theater in Beijing over the weekend.
Created by artists from China, Italy and Germany, the play is an experimental way to render Western classics with Chinese artforms.
Previously, the opera was performed in Bologna and Modena in Italy and Tsinghua University in Beijing last year.
It was also shown in New York in January this year.
Co-produced by the China National Peking Opera Company and the Italian Emilia Romagna Theatre Foundation, the performance this time was staged after revisions in its dancing, lighting115 and book.
"Friends" Cast Reunites for James Burrows116 Special
The "Friends" cast, including Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow and Matt LeBlanc, reunited on stage Sunday night during an NBC special in honor of celebrated117 TV director James Burrows.
Matthew Perry, who played Chandler Bing in the hit sitcom118, was the only "Friend" to miss out, but did appear in a message via satellite to share his own memories.
During the special event, the cast mentioned that it's Burrows who helped them forge an important bond with one another and gave them probably the best ten years of their acting89 careers.
Recalling the cast's instant connection, Aniston, who played Rachael Green in the series, talked about their bond with one another.
"In the beginning it was not a hard thing. We really just wanted to hang out with each other. We really just fell in love and adored each other instantly, and would hang out at each other's houses and watch the show together."
First debuting119 on NBC on September 22, 1994, the series lasted ten seasons. It received acclaim120 throughout its run and became one of the most popular television shows of all time.
Villainous Role Revealed in New Trailer of "Alice Through the Looking Glass"
Prepare to step once more into Wonderland!
Disney released their newest look at "Alice Through the Looking Glass" on Sunday night during their TV special "The Wonderful World of Disney: Disneyland 60".
The minute-long trailer offers another glimpse at the adventures awaiting Alice, while the villain121 "Time" makes its debut.
That's it for this edition of the Beijing Hour...
Recapping our top stories...
China's top court responding to public concerns over the country's urban development plan...
Beijing Municipal authorities detailing yet more measures to strengthen air pollution control efforts in the capital...
And Syria saying it consents to a cessation of hostilities as agreed upon by the U.S. and Russia...
On behalf of the Beijing Hour team, its Spencer Musick in Beijing. Join us for the next edition of the Beijing Hour, to open a window to the world together...
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1
ram
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| (random access memory)随机存取存储器 | |
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hostilities
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| n.战争；敌意(hostility的复数)；敌对状态；战事 | |
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crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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debut
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| n.首次演出，初次露面 | |
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residential
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| adj.提供住宿的；居住的；住宅的 | |
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infringe
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| v.违反，触犯，侵害 | |
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supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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maker
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| n.制造者，制造商 | |
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makers
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| n.制造者，制造商（maker的复数形式） | |
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compensated
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| 补偿，报酬( compensate的过去式和过去分词 )； 给（某人）赔偿（或赔款） | |
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hampered
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| 妨碍，束缚，限制( hamper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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pollutants
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| 污染物质（尤指工业废物）( pollutant的名词复数 ) | |
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secondly
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| adv.第二，其次 | |
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automobiles
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| n.汽车( automobile的名词复数 ) | |
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diesel
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| n.柴油发动机，内燃机 | |
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restriction
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| n.限制，约束 | |
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intensified
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| v.（使）增强， （使）加剧( intensify的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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criteria
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| n.标准 | |
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coordinated
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| adj.协调的 | |
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spotlight
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| n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目 | |
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ongoing
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| adj.进行中的，前进的 | |
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vying
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| adj.竞争的；比赛的 | |
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specifications
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| n.规格；载明；详述；（产品等的）说明书；说明书( specification的名词复数 )；详细的计划书；载明；详述 | |
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leverage
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| n.力量，影响；杠杆作用，杠杆的力量 | |
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vendor
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| n.卖主；小贩 | |
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analyst
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| n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家 | |
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sector
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| n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形 | |
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retail
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| v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格 | |
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retailers
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| 零售商，零售店( retailer的名词复数 ) | |
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yen
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| n. 日元；热望 | |
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sluggish
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| adj.懒惰的，迟钝的，无精打采的 | |
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stainless
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| adj.无瑕疵的，不锈的 | |
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cosmetics
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| n.化妆品 | |
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spiking
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| n.尖峰形成v.加烈酒于( spike的现在分词 )；偷偷地给某人的饮料加入（更多）酒精（ 或药物）；把尖状物钉入；打乱某人的计划 | |
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economist
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| n.经济学家，经济专家，节俭的人 | |
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incentives
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| 激励某人做某事的事物( incentive的名词复数 )； 刺激； 诱因； 动机 | |
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utilizing
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| v.利用，使用( utilize的现在分词 ) | |
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sectors
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| n.部门( sector的名词复数 )；领域；防御地区；扇形 | |
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ministry
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| n.(政府的)部；牧师 | |
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previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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violation
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| n.违反(行为)，违背(行为)，侵犯 | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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militants
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| 激进分子，好斗分子( militant的名词复数 ) | |
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allied
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| adj.协约国的；同盟国的 | |
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implement
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| n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行 | |
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tenacious
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| adj.顽强的，固执的，记忆力强的，粘的 | |
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diplomacy
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| n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕 | |
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civilian
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| adj.平民的，民用的，民众的 | |
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50
mandated
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| adj. 委托统治的 | |
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51
apportion
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| vt.（按比例或计划）分配 | |
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52
civilians
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| 平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓 | |
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53
toxic
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| adj.有毒的，因中毒引起的 | |
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54
abhorrent
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| adj.可恶的，可恨的，讨厌的 | |
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55
inspectors
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| n.检查员( inspector的名词复数 )；（英国公共汽车或火车上的）查票员；（警察）巡官；检阅官 | |
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investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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57
allege
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| vt.宣称，申述，主张，断言 | |
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alleged
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| a.被指控的，嫌疑的 | |
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59
violations
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| 违反( violation的名词复数 )； 冒犯； 违反（行为、事例）； 强奸 | |
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60
humanitarian
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| n.人道主义者，博爱者，基督凡人论者 | |
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61
encompassing
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| v.围绕( encompass的现在分词 )；包围；包含；包括 | |
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62
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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63
toll
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| n.过路(桥)费；损失，伤亡人数；v.敲(钟) | |
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64
cyclone
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| n.旋风，龙卷风 | |
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65
devastated
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| v.彻底破坏( devastate的过去式和过去分词)；摧毁；毁灭；在感情上（精神上、财务上等）压垮adj.毁坏的；极为震惊的 | |
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66
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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67
stagnant
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| adj.不流动的，停滞的，不景气的 | |
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68
collapsed
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| adj.倒塌的 | |
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annually
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| adv.一年一次，每年 | |
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70
bail
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| v.舀（水），保释；n.保证金，保释，保释人 | |
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71
random
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| adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
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72
ideological
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| a.意识形态的 | |
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73
rhetoric
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| n.修辞学，浮夸之言语 | |
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74
prosecutor
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| n.起诉人；检察官，公诉人 | |
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75
mandatory
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| adj.命令的；强制的；义务的；n.受托者 | |
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76
erratic
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| adj.古怪的，反复无常的，不稳定的 | |
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77
well-being
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| n.安康，安乐，幸福 | |
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78
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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79
deploy
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| v.（军）散开成战斗队形，布置，展开 | |
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80
deploying
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| （尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的现在分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用 | |
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81
sanitation
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| n.公共卫生，环境卫生，卫生设备 | |
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82
seaports
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| n.海港( seaport的名词复数 ) | |
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83
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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84
banking
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| n.银行业，银行学，金融业 | |
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85
slumped
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| 大幅度下降，暴跌( slump的过去式和过去分词 )； 沉重或突然地落下[倒下] | |
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86
erasing
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| v.擦掉( erase的现在分词 )；抹去；清除 | |
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87
assessment
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| n.评价；评估；对财产的估价，被估定的金额 | |
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88
consecutive
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| adj.连续的，联贯的，始终一贯的 | |
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89
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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90
fluctuations
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| 波动，涨落，起伏( fluctuation的名词复数 ) | |
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91
mechanism
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| n.机械装置；机构，结构 | |
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92
futures
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| n.期货，期货交易 | |
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93
metropolises
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| n.一国的主要城市（不一定是首都）( metropolis的名词复数 )；中心；大都会；大城市 | |
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94
investors
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| n.投资者，出资者( investor的名词复数 ) | |
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95
entities
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| 实体对像； 实体，独立存在体，实际存在物( entity的名词复数 ) | |
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96
pesticides
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| n.杀虫剂( pesticide的名词复数 )；除害药物 | |
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97
earnings
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| n.工资收人；利润，利益，所得 | |
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98
breakdown
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| n.垮，衰竭；损坏，故障，倒塌 | |
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99
defense
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| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
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100
defenders
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| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
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101
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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102
arsenal
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| n.兵工厂，军械库 | |
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103
cohesion
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| n.团结，凝结力 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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105
hawks
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| 鹰( hawk的名词复数 )； 鹰派人物，主战派人物 | |
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106
demolishing
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| v.摧毁( demolish的现在分词 )；推翻；拆毁（尤指大建筑物）；吃光 | |
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107
phoenix
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| n.凤凰，长生(不死)鸟；引申为重生 | |
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108
robin
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| n.知更鸟，红襟鸟 | |
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109
stunned
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| adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词 | |
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110
lien
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| n.扣押权，留置权 | |
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111
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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112
apprentice
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| n.学徒，徒弟 | |
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113
martial
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| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
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114
legendary
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| adj.传奇（中）的，闻名遐迩的；n.传奇（文学） | |
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115
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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116
burrows
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| n.地洞( burrow的名词复数 )v.挖掘（洞穴），挖洞( burrow的第三人称单数 )；翻寻 | |
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117
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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118
sitcom
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| n.情景喜剧，（广播、电视的）系列幽默剧 | |
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119
debuting
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| 初次表演，初次登台（debut的现在分词形式） | |
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120
acclaim
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| v.向…欢呼，公认；n.欢呼，喝彩，称赞 | |
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121
villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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