英语角-圆桌会议 RoundTable0423 - 香港街头小便事件是否小题大做？

 Topic1 NDRC lifts requirements for licensing¹ of production & sale of saltChina's top economic planner has revoked² administrative³ rules for the licensing of exclusive rights to produce and sell salt. Subsequent interpretations⁴ of the annulment⁵ indicate the central government finally releases its ironclad control on the salt market and therefore allowing social capital to enter the market.

However, in the most recent statement, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) clarifies that it merely says the central government is giving more powers to the regional governments, but the 2000-year-old system of holding exclusive rights to produce and sale salt is not to be abolished.

What is this annulment about?

Topic2 Hong Kong Mainland In Dispute on Toddleer Peeing IncidentA viral video of a Chinese mainland mother defending her toddler for urinating on a Hong Kong street has reignited debate between mainlanders and Hong Kongers. It becomes a flash point in already tense cross-border relations.

The online uproar⁶ started when Phoenix⁷ TV posted a 5 minute lone⁸ video on its weibo. Let's have a listen. (clip)What exactly happened?

Topic3 Driving License⁹ Points TraffickingChina has stepped up punishment on traffic violations¹⁰. Running a red light will cost drivers 6 points, covering license plate costs 12 points, speeding costs 6-12 points, checking mobile phones while driving costs 2 points….And every driver only has 12 points to lose every year. Once a driver lost all his points, he will have to take a 7-day training and pass a driving test to regain¹¹ his driving license.

In order to avoid the training and examination, some drivers seek help from illegal driving license point traffickers.

How does the trafficking go?

Topic4 Wedding Entry FeeIn China, a decent hotel is probably the most commonly seen venue¹² for weddings. However, wedding planners are now complaining about a Beijing hotel of charging an entry fee.

What exactly is the complaint?

Topic5 Top ten complaints of Chinese menAs the saying goes, being a man is hard, and being a woman is much harder. But in today's China, being a man is really hard. This is according to men, of course. Some even say they would rather be a woman in their next life, or live in an Islamic country, or Africa.

What's your personal feeling about such complaints? Would you trade your life as a man? 

1 licensing   

v.批准，许可，颁发执照( license的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• A large part of state regulation consists of occupational licensing. 大部分州的管理涉及行业的特许批准。 来自英汉非文学 - 行政法
• That licensing procedures for projects would move faster. 这样的工程批准程序一定会加快。 来自辞典例句

2 revoked   

adj.[法]取消的v.撤销，取消，废除( revoke的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• It may be revoked if the check is later dishonoured. 以后如支票被拒绝支付，结算可以撤销。 来自辞典例句
• A will is revoked expressly. 遗嘱可以通过明示推翻。 来自辞典例句

3 administrative   

adj.行政的，管理的

参考例句：

• The administrative burden must be lifted from local government.必须解除地方政府的行政负担。
• He regarded all these administrative details as beneath his notice.他认为行政管理上的这些琐事都不值一顾。

4 interpretations   

n.解释( interpretation的名词复数 )；表演；演绎；理解

参考例句：

• This passage is open to a variety of interpretations. 这篇文章可以有各种不同的解释。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The involved and abstruse passage makes several interpretations possible. 这段艰涩的文字可以作出好几种解释。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

5 annulment   

n.废除，取消，（法院对婚姻等）判决无效

参考例句：

• The annulment caused a profound impression in Japan. 同盟的废止，在日本发生了强烈的反响。 来自辞典例句
• Law An annulment acquittal; dismissal, of a court order. 取消，宣告无罪；法院命令的撤销。 来自互联网

6 uproar   

n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸

参考例句：

• She could hear the uproar in the room.她能听见房间里的吵闹声。
• His remarks threw the audience into an uproar.他的讲话使听众沸腾起来。

7 phoenix   

n.凤凰，长生(不死)鸟；引申为重生

参考例句：

• The airline rose like a phoenix from the ashes.这家航空公司又起死回生了。
• The phoenix worship of China is fetish worship not totem adoration.中国凤崇拜是灵物崇拜而非图腾崇拜。

8 lone   

adj.孤寂的，单独的；唯一的

参考例句：

• A lone sea gull flew across the sky.一只孤独的海鸥在空中飞过。
• She could see a lone figure on the deserted beach.她在空旷的海滩上能看到一个孤独的身影。

9 license   

n.执照，许可证，特许；v.许可，特许

参考例句：

• The foreign guest has a license on the person.这个外国客人随身携带执照。
• The driver was arrested for having false license plates on his car.司机由于使用假车牌而被捕。

10 violations   

违反( violation的名词复数 )； 冒犯； 违反（行为、事例）； 强奸

参考例句：

• This is one of the commonest traffic violations. 这是常见的违反交通规则之例。
• These violations of the code must cease forthwith. 这些违犯法规的行为必须立即停止。

11 regain   

vt.重新获得，收复，恢复

参考例句：

• He is making a bid to regain his World No.1 ranking.他正为重登世界排名第一位而努力。
• The government is desperate to regain credibility with the public.政府急于重新获取公众的信任。

12 venue   

n.犯罪地点，审判地，管辖地，发生地点，集合地点

参考例句：

• The hall provided a venue for weddings and other functions.大厅给婚礼和其他社会活动提供了场所。
• The chosen venue caused great controversy among the people.人们就审判地点的问题产生了极大的争议。