中国经济继续下滑

AS IT IS 2016-03-02 China’s Economy Continues Decline 中国经济继续下滑

China’s economy continues to weaken, according to recent surveys.

China is the world’s second-biggest economy. Figures released Tuesday show the country’s factory production is at its lowest level in four years.

The official Purchasing Manager’s Index, or PMI, tracks activity in factories. The manufacturing PMI in China is reported by Markit Economics.

The index dropped to 49 in China in February. In January, the PMI was 49.4.

Any reading of the PMI below 50 signals contraction¹. It was the seventh month in a row the PMI dropped.

Observers of the Chinese economy say February’s PMI reading could have been affected² by the New Year holiday. Many factories close for an extended time and workers stay home during the holiday.

Another survey showed China’s economy is slumping³. The Caixin/Markit purchasing managers’ index fell to a five-month low of 48 last month. It was the 12th month in a row that the index declined. The index calculates economic output, new orders and employment.

The economy in China grew at an annual rate of nearly 7 percent in 2015. That was the slowest amount of growth in 25 years.

To give the economy a boost, the Chinese announced a round of spending to help the economy and added to the money supply. The People’s Bank of China late Monday announced it was cutting the amount of money that banks must hold as reserves.

The People’s Bank also added $100 billion in cash into the banking⁴ system to aid in new lending.

Words in This Story

contraction – n. the act or process of making something smaller or of becoming smaller

slumping – v. to decrease suddenly and by a large amount

boost – n. an increase in amount

cash – n. money in the form of coins and bills

1 contraction   

n.缩略词，缩写式，害病

参考例句：

• The contraction of this muscle raises the lower arm.肌肉的收缩使前臂抬起。
• The forces of expansion are balanced by forces of contraction.扩张力和收缩力相互平衡。

2 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

3 slumping   

大幅度下降，暴跌( slump的现在分词 )； 沉重或突然地落下[倒下]

参考例句：

• Hong Kong's slumping economy also caused a rise in bankruptcy applications. 香港经济低迷，破产申请个案随之上升。
• And as with slumping, over-arching can also be a simple postural habit. 就像弯腰驼背，过度挺直也可能只是一种习惯性姿势。

4 banking   

n.银行业，银行学，金融业

参考例句：

• John is launching his son on a career in banking.约翰打算让儿子在银行界谋一个新职位。
• He possesses an extensive knowledge of banking.他具有广博的银行业务知识。