英语角-圆桌会议 RoundTable0317 - 央行为何叫停网络信用卡

 Topic1 E-credit card is HaltedThe People's Bank of China issued a statement on Friday that halted virtual credit card products and face-to-face payment services, including QR code payments, ruling that this line of business was too risky¹.

According to the statement, both forms of mobile finance have gone beyond the traditional business models of point-of-sale machines and credit cards, which may have potential security loopholes.

Before talking about reasons for the ban, we should talk about e-credit cards first. A few days ago when WeChat and Alipay announced such projects, everyone thought it was an industry-changing move. What exactly are e-credit cards?

Topic2 Property Registration² System To StartLast week, the Ministry³ of Land and Resources has confirmed that the regulation on immovable property registration will be released by June. In the meantime, an intra-ministerial joint⁴ conference mechanism⁵ will be set up for the system.

What does the move mean?

Topic3 Appeal of studying overseas leveling offMinistry of Education figures show the number of Chinese people going abroad to study grew much more slowly in 2013 than in previous years.

About 413,900 Chinese mainlanders went overseas to study last year — up 3.5 percent from 2012.

But this increase was far smaller than the 15 percent rise in 2012 and the 20 percent hike in 2011.

What does the slower growth mean?

Topic4 Attack and Violence Prevention in CampusAll kindergartens, elementary and middle schools in Chengdu will have anti-terrorism and violent attack trainings. Municipal government requires each school and kindergarten to have at least one training within this month in coordination⁶ with local police station.

In the meantime, Chengdu also publicized anti-terrorism and violent attack tips and videos on chengdu.safetree.com.cn for teachers, parents and students to study.

Are more schools doing it? Is there a necessity?

Topic5 Buyers disregard quality concerns of brandsAs international fast fashion retailers⁷ vie for a chunk⁸ of the Chinese market, they have also been frequently troubled by quality problems.

Poor color fastness, a high pH index, unmatched fiber⁹ content and excessive formaldehyde are the most common problems regularly cited by quality watchdogs.

But consumers have largely shrugged¹⁰ off those concerns, preferring to focus on the latest fashion trend rather than quality.

Should the problems matter?

1 risky   

adj.有风险的，冒险的

参考例句：

• It may be risky but we will chance it anyhow.这可能有危险，但我们无论如何要冒一冒险。
• He is well aware how risky this investment is.他心里对这项投资的风险十分清楚。

2 registration   

n.登记，注册，挂号

参考例句：

• Marriage without registration is not recognized by law.法律不承认未登记的婚姻。
• What's your registration number?你挂的是几号？

3 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。

4 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

5 mechanism   

n.机械装置；机构，结构

参考例句：

• The bones and muscles are parts of the mechanism of the body.骨骼和肌肉是人体的组成部件。
• The mechanism of the machine is very complicated.这台机器的结构是非常复杂的。

6 coordination   

n.协调，协作

参考例句：

• Gymnastics is a sport that requires a considerable level of coordination.体操是一项需要高协调性的运动。
• The perfect coordination of the dancers and singers added a rhythmic charm to the performance.舞蹈演员和歌手们配合得很好，使演出更具魅力。

7 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。

8 chunk   

n.厚片，大块，相当大的部分（数量）

参考例句：

• They had to be careful of floating chunks of ice.他们必须当心大块浮冰。
• The company owns a chunk of farmland near Gatwick Airport.该公司拥有盖特威克机场周边的大片农田。

9 fiber   

n.纤维，纤维质

参考例句：

• The basic structural unit of yarn is the fiber.纤维是纱的基本结构单元。
• The material must be free of fiber clumps.这种材料必须无纤维块。

10 shrugged   

vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• Sam shrugged and said nothing. 萨姆耸耸肩膀，什么也没说。
• She shrugged, feigning nonchalance. 她耸耸肩，装出一副无所谓的样子。 来自《简明英汉词典》