英闻天下——566 Regulations Promoting Saving Take Effect

 　　In Guangzhou city, the capital of Guangdong Province, the tradition of local enterprises is to hold a banquet to celebrate the beginning of the New Year. But this year, many companies have cancelled their banquet. One staff member at a local Guangzhou enterprise commented on the news that the long-standing tradition had been cancelled:

 

　　"In the past, we always have a big meal at the beginning of the Lunar New Year. This year, we were informed that the open year banquet was cancelled before the Spring Festival."

 

　　However, some high-end restaurants have still been booked to hold such events. Many luxury foods, such as sea cucumbers and shark fin¹ can be seen on the menus.

 

　　In the past, public money accounted for a large portion of luxury gift consumption during the Spring Festival, but this year the sales of high-end cigarettes and alcohol have seen a dramatic decline and the prices of such high end products have also declined.

 

　　Zhao Zhou is the manager of a local supermarket

 

　　"Take Maotai alcohol as an example, we only sold about 20 bottles but during the Spring Festival; usually we can sell more than 100 bottles. It's a sharp decline. The price of alcohol in this category is also declining significantly."

 

　　According to statistics from the Ministry² of Commerce, during the Spring Festival Holiday, the revenue of high-end restaurants in Beijing reduced by 35 percent. In Shanghai and Ningbo, the figure was down by 20 percent and 30 percent respectively.

 

　　Shen Danyang, is the spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce.

 

　　"The consumption of bird's nest has reduced by about 40 percent. The consumption of shark fin reduced by more than 70 percent. The sales volume of high-end food packages in luxury hotels is also down by 45 percent. There has also been a significant reduction in the consumption of high-end alcohol like Maotai and Wuliangye. For instance the price of 53 percent proof Maotai and 52 percent proof Wuliangye has reduced by some 30 percent compared to the their highest values."

 

　　Shen Danyang also points out the promotion³ of frugality⁴ in not in conflict with the expension of consumption. On the contrary, a greener consumption pattern is more sustainable and environmental friendly.

 

　　For CRI, I am Li Dong.

1 fin   

n.鳍；(飞机的)安定翼

参考例句：

• They swim using a small fin on their back.它们用背上的小鳍游动。
• The aircraft has a long tail fin.那架飞机有一个长长的尾翼。

2 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

3 promotion   

n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传

参考例句：

• The teacher conferred with the principal about Dick's promotion.教师与校长商谈了迪克的升级问题。
• The clerk was given a promotion and an increase in salary.那个职员升了级，加了薪。

4 frugality   

n.节约，节俭

参考例句：

• We must build up our country with industry and frugality.我们必须勤俭建国。
• By frugality she managed to get along on her small salary.凭着节俭，她设法以自己微薄的薪水生活。