中国消协要求苹果向消费者道歉

 　　BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The China Consumer's Association (CCA) has asked Apple Inc. to "sincerely apologize to Chinese consumers" and "thoroughly¹ correct its problems," after the U.S. firm took little action to address waves of criticism.

　　In a statement posted on the CCA's website, Apple Inc. was told to equalize the warranty² periods in China compared with other countries. Buyers of iPads, after the company admitted the device is classifiable as a portable computer, are entitled to two-year after-sale service packages for its key components³, said the statement.

　　Apple should inform consumers if refurbished parts are used when repairing broken devices, and repair costs should be counted accordingly, the statement said.

　　The CCA made clear its specific demands after Apple Inc. responded indifferently to consumers' repeated complaints despite intensive exposure in the Chinese media.

　　In a special program to mark the International Day for Protecting Consumers' Rights on March 15, national broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) accused Apple of offering discriminatory after-sales services in China.

　　On the same day, the CCA unveiled a report detailing that complaints about after-sale service account for 25.6 percent of the total 2,170 complaints it has received about Apple products, seven percentage points higher than the averaged data for the home appliance sector⁴.

　　The CCA said that, in 2012, it twice urged Apple to properly handle the complaints but only received half-hearted replies, with the real problems unsolved.

　　Even after the March 15 CCTV show, Apple released only a 200-character statement saying it is dedicated⁵ to making first-class products and attaches high importance to every consumer's ideas.

　　Netizens labeled it a "typical official reply full of empty talk."

　　Analysts⁶ said Apple arrogance⁷ is sustained by its strong market presence in China. Its innovative⁸ products and aggressive marketing⁹ strategy have made it fearless of consumers' frowns.

　　Su Haopeng, a law professor with the University of International Business and Economics, said it is the company's social responsibility to respect consumer rights, while it should not abuse its market predominance to hurt their interests.

　　"Apple Inc.'s unfair and unreasonable¹⁰ rules have infringed¹¹ consumer's legitimate¹² rights," he said.

　　Wang Huijuan, a lawyer with the Beijing Hualian Law Firm, said the government should raise the penalties for home appliance repair disputes, as the current fine of 30,000 yuan (4,830 U.S. dollars) is too light to deter¹³ lawbreakers.

1 thoroughly   

adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地

参考例句：

• The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
• The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。

2 warranty   

n.担保书，证书，保单

参考例句：

• This warranty is good for one year after the date of the purchase of the product.本保证书自购置此产品之日起有效期为一年。
• As your guarantor,we have signed a warranty to the bank.作为你们的担保人，我们已经向银行开出了担保书。

3 components   

（机器、设备等的）构成要素，零件，成分； 成分( component的名词复数 )； [物理化学]组分； [数学]分量； （混合物的）组成部分

参考例句：

• the components of a machine 机器部件
• Our chemistry teacher often reduces a compound to its components in lab. 在实验室中化学老师常把化合物分解为各种成分。

4 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

5 dedicated   

adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的

参考例句：

• He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
• His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。

6 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

7 arrogance   

n.傲慢，自大

参考例句：

• His arrogance comes out in every speech he makes.他每次讲话都表现得骄傲自大。
• Arrogance arrested his progress.骄傲阻碍了他的进步。

8 innovative   

adj.革新的，新颖的，富有革新精神的

参考例句：

• Discover an innovative way of marketing.发现一个创新的营销方式。
• He was one of the most creative and innovative engineers of his generation.他是他那代人当中最富创造性与革新精神的工程师之一。

9 marketing   

n.行销，在市场的买卖，买东西

参考例句：

• They are developing marketing network.他们正在发展销售网络。
• He often goes marketing.他经常去市场做生意。

10 unreasonable   

adj.不讲道理的，不合情理的，过度的

参考例句：

• I know that they made the most unreasonable demands on you.我知道他们对你提出了最不合理的要求。
• They spend an unreasonable amount of money on clothes.他们花在衣服上的钱太多了。

11 infringed   

v.违反（规章等）( infringe的过去式和过去分词 )；侵犯（某人的权利）；侵害（某人的自由、权益等）

参考例句：

• Wherever the troops went, they never infringed on the people's interests. 大军过处，秋毫无犯。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• He was arrested on a charge of having infringed the Election Law. 他因被指控触犯选举法而被拘捕。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

12 legitimate   

adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法

参考例句：

• Sickness is a legitimate reason for asking for leave.生病是请假的一个正当的理由。
• That's a perfectly legitimate fear.怀有这种恐惧完全在情理之中。

13 deter   

vt.阻止，使不敢，吓住

参考例句：

• Failure did not deter us from trying it again.失败并没有能阻挡我们再次进行试验。
• Dogs can deter unwelcome intruders.狗能够阻拦不受欢迎的闯入者。