First-half net profit hit (達至) HK$91.1 million at Sing Tao News Corporation (1105), publishers of The Standard, Headline Daily and Sing Tao Daily.
Earnings per share were 10.47 HK cents, and interim dividend was boosted to 4.5 HK cents a share from 3.5 HK cents a year back.
Revenue (收入) reached HK$1.15 billion in the six months to June 30 on strong development of the media business, which booked a 6 percent growth in turnover to HK$985.9 million.
Headline Daily remained the major profit contributor (note 1), extending its market lead as average daily circulation crossed 800,000, and average readership numbers touched 1.69 million.
Chairman Charles Ho Tsu-kwok said increased competition is as much an opportunity (機會) as it is a challenge.
"Free newspapers now account for (note 2) less than a third of the total newspaper advertising pie (note 3), and we expect their share to grow to 50 percent or more," Ho said.
"Our vision is for Headline Daily to be the biggest winner in a large advertising market for free newspapers and to become the most prevalent (廣泛流行) newspaper."
With average cost of newsprint surging 25 percent and labor costs rising 4 percent, profit from the media segment totaled HK$97.4 million - compared with HK$106.2 million a year back.
The Standard continued to mark steady growth in readership, outdoing its nearest rival (note 4), which recorded a decline in reader numbers, advertising volume and average page rates.
The magazine business, which includes East Week, East Touch, JET and PC Market, enjoyed robust growth (note 5) during the period.
Shares rose 3.1 percent to HK$1.68 yesterday.
Meanwhile, CITIC Securities has obtained approval from Beijing to list in Hong Kong.
China's largest broker (經紀) can sell up to 1.14 billion shares.
From good to better English:
(note 1) major profit contributor=主要盈利貢獻來源。Contributor=捐助者，贈送者, 投稿人。例句: Victor is a contributor to the Standard newspaper= Victor是<<虎報>>投稿人之一。
(note 2) account for=佔有。account for =說明,解析 (Explain or justify)。例句: Julian was upset because her boyfriend couldn't account for the three hours between his last class and his arrival at home= Julian感到很煩亂因為她的男朋友不能交代下課後幾小時去了哪裡。accounts payable=應付帳款, 應付款項。accounts receivable= 應收帳款, 應收款項。give a good account of oneself= 為自己辯護。give an account of=講述。 on one's own account=為自身利益, 靠自己。take into account=重視,,考慮。
(note 3) advertising pie=廣告總額。Pie=餡餅。a pie in the sky=烏托邦；渺茫的幸福。 (as) easy as a pie=〕極容易。 eat humble pie=忍辱含垢。 have a finger in the pie=干預，插手。 put one's finger into another's pie=多管閒事。
(note 4) rival=對手 (虎報的對手是南華早報)。a rival in love=情敵。 without a rival=無與匹敵，無敵。
(note 5) robust growth=強壯的，強健的增長。robust 的同義詞有able-bodied, iron, lusty, red-blooded, strapping, sturdy, vigorous, vital等。
Victor’s View: It is impressive to see that Sing Tao’s earnings in the first half topped $91 million. It wasn’t easy in a tough media market. The chairman’s prediction that more advertising dollars will flow to free papers might turn some paid-papers’ bosses into insomniacs.
(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 4 books on English-enhancement [the latest, titled <<學會演說、改變你的人生>>, was published on July 18] and plans to write 6 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)
2011年9月28日 星期三
2011年9月24日 星期六
an update on Dean Fung
Victor Fung Keung, author-university lecturer
What I’m listening to: Recently I love these two songs: “Glad You Came “ (The Wanted) and “Set Fire to the Rain “ (Adele). I try practicing singing “Glad you came”) with my guitar and plan to sing to the 80 new students who have enrolled in my master’s program in journalism this year.
What I’m watching: I love watching two American TV series: “the Mentalist” and “Bones”. They make me think of the meaning of love and the suffering in losing someone we love.
What I’m reading: “Double Cross” by James Patterson. Patterson is arguably the best writer in the world. I always encourage young people to read his novels to improve their English writing.
Where I’m surfing: I visit the <<New York Times>> site on a daily basis. In particular, I love reading its columns on the media and health.
What gets me moving: It’s my mission to help young people in Hong Kong improve their English skills. I have written four books on English-enhancement, and plan to finish six more by the end of 2012. I can’t emphasise more how important English is to one’s life. Writing gives me joy. It’s like preaching the gospel.
What I’m listening to: Recently I love these two songs: “Glad You Came “ (The Wanted) and “Set Fire to the Rain “ (Adele). I try practicing singing “Glad you came”) with my guitar and plan to sing to the 80 new students who have enrolled in my master’s program in journalism this year.
What I’m watching: I love watching two American TV series: “the Mentalist” and “Bones”. They make me think of the meaning of love and the suffering in losing someone we love.
What I’m reading: “Double Cross” by James Patterson. Patterson is arguably the best writer in the world. I always encourage young people to read his novels to improve their English writing.
Where I’m surfing: I visit the <<New York Times>> site on a daily basis. In particular, I love reading its columns on the media and health.
What gets me moving: It’s my mission to help young people in Hong Kong improve their English skills. I have written four books on English-enhancement, and plan to finish six more by the end of 2012. I can’t emphasise more how important English is to one’s life. Writing gives me joy. It’s like preaching the gospel.
2011年9月22日 星期四
Anger as blue chips (藍籌股票) suspended (停牌)
The local bourse (交易所) operator was severely criticized (受批評) yesterday after suspending eight listed companies, including three blue-chip stocks, from trading following the breakdown (note 1) of its announcement e-platform.
"Our current assessment is that this is a result of a malicious (惡意) attack by outside hacking (note 2)," said Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (0388) chief executive Charles Li Xiaojia.
Investors failed to cash out (note 3) from HSBC Holdings (0005), HKEx (0388) itself, Cathay Pacific (0293), China Resources Microelectronics (0597), China Power International Development (2380), Dah Sing Banking Group (2356), Dah Sing Financial Holdings (0440), and a bond (4517), which were halted (停牌) from trading (even as the market rallied (勁升) yesterday after six session of losses. )
Some of the companies, including bourse operator HKEx, were set to announce interim results (中期業績) yesterday - to be available on HKExnews.hk - the sole (note 4) platform for all announcements of listed companies.
Cathay Pacific chairman Christopher Pratt said he was upset (不舒服) that investors could not trade its stock yesterday.
Dah Sing Bank executive director Gary Wang Pak-Ling said HKEx decided the suspension after his bank negotiated with the bourse operator. He urged the bourse to review the trading suspension arrangement.
More than 400 related derivatives (note 5) worth about HK$200 million were also suspended from trading. The exchange did not report possible hacking to the police until late evening.
Haitong International Wealth Management associate director Alan Leung Wai-lun criticized the suspension, saying investors have to bear the risk (note 6) overnight and investors have missed the chance to realize profits yesterday.
The platform was down at 11.45am and was temporarily fixed during the lunch break, but it failed again. Li defended (辯護) the suspension decision which, he said, was fair and equally bad for everyone.
From good to better English:
(note 1) breakdown=故障；失敗，挫折；中斷, 衰退。Working too hard led to Mo Mo suffering from a nervous breakdown=工作太辛苦令Mo Mo產生 神經衰弱。the breakdown of communication=聯絡中斷。a breakdown of data=資料的分類。
(note 2) outside hacking=外面駭客入侵電腦並進行破壞。Hacking=亂砍, 胡亂刪改。take a hack at=嘗試。
(note 3) cash out=套現 (出售股票)。Cash=現款，現金。be short of cash=現金不足。cash on delivery= 貨到收款[略稱 C.O.D.]。cash in=賺到錢，抓到賺錢的機會。cash a check=把支票兌現。
(note 4) sole=單獨的，單一的，唯一的。Victor was Julian’s sole confident= Victor 是Julian唯一信任的人。sole reason=唯一的理由。
(note 5) related derivatives=相關的衍生工具。股票的相關衍生工具包括期權 (options)、輪 (warrants)、期貨 (futures)等。
(note 6) bear the risk=承受風險。Bear=負擔，負載，負荷；承擔。Bear a loss=承擔損失。Bear a resemblance to it=跟它相似。Co Co’s letter to Victor bears no date=Co Col給Victor的信沒註明日期。
Victor’s View: Computer hacking is a serious matter. People could lose a lot of money or make less money if trading is suspended because of a security breach. Laws against hackers should be toughened.
(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 4 books on English-enhancement [the latest, titled <<學會演說、改變你的人生>>, was published on July 18] and plans to write 6 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)
"Our current assessment is that this is a result of a malicious (惡意) attack by outside hacking (note 2)," said Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (0388) chief executive Charles Li Xiaojia.
Investors failed to cash out (note 3) from HSBC Holdings (0005), HKEx (0388) itself, Cathay Pacific (0293), China Resources Microelectronics (0597), China Power International Development (2380), Dah Sing Banking Group (2356), Dah Sing Financial Holdings (0440), and a bond (4517), which were halted (停牌) from trading (even as the market rallied (勁升) yesterday after six session of losses. )
Some of the companies, including bourse operator HKEx, were set to announce interim results (中期業績) yesterday - to be available on HKExnews.hk - the sole (note 4) platform for all announcements of listed companies.
Cathay Pacific chairman Christopher Pratt said he was upset (不舒服) that investors could not trade its stock yesterday.
Dah Sing Bank executive director Gary Wang Pak-Ling said HKEx decided the suspension after his bank negotiated with the bourse operator. He urged the bourse to review the trading suspension arrangement.
More than 400 related derivatives (note 5) worth about HK$200 million were also suspended from trading. The exchange did not report possible hacking to the police until late evening.
Haitong International Wealth Management associate director Alan Leung Wai-lun criticized the suspension, saying investors have to bear the risk (note 6) overnight and investors have missed the chance to realize profits yesterday.
The platform was down at 11.45am and was temporarily fixed during the lunch break, but it failed again. Li defended (辯護) the suspension decision which, he said, was fair and equally bad for everyone.
From good to better English:
(note 1) breakdown=故障；失敗，挫折；中斷, 衰退。Working too hard led to Mo Mo suffering from a nervous breakdown=工作太辛苦令Mo Mo產生 神經衰弱。the breakdown of communication=聯絡中斷。a breakdown of data=資料的分類。
(note 2) outside hacking=外面駭客入侵電腦並進行破壞。Hacking=亂砍, 胡亂刪改。take a hack at=嘗試。
(note 3) cash out=套現 (出售股票)。Cash=現款，現金。be short of cash=現金不足。cash on delivery= 貨到收款[略稱 C.O.D.]。cash in=賺到錢，抓到賺錢的機會。cash a check=把支票兌現。
(note 4) sole=單獨的，單一的，唯一的。Victor was Julian’s sole confident= Victor 是Julian唯一信任的人。sole reason=唯一的理由。
(note 5) related derivatives=相關的衍生工具。股票的相關衍生工具包括期權 (options)、輪 (warrants)、期貨 (futures)等。
(note 6) bear the risk=承受風險。Bear=負擔，負載，負荷；承擔。Bear a loss=承擔損失。Bear a resemblance to it=跟它相似。Co Co’s letter to Victor bears no date=Co Col給Victor的信沒註明日期。
Victor’s View: Computer hacking is a serious matter. People could lose a lot of money or make less money if trading is suspended because of a security breach. Laws against hackers should be toughened.
(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 4 books on English-enhancement [the latest, titled <<學會演說、改變你的人生>>, was published on July 18] and plans to write 6 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)
Welcome awaits likely (極有可能) leader
Vice Premier Li Keqiang will visit Hong Kong next week to learn about the economic situation (經濟情況) and the people's livelihood (民生).
An SAR government spokesman said Li, considered the likely successor (接班人) to Premier Wen Jiabao, will be here from Tuesday to Thursday at the invitation of the administration.
The 56-year-old Li will attend a forum (note 1) on the 12th Five- Year Plan and Economic, Trade and Financial Co- operation and Development between Hong Kong and the mainland as well as celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the University of Hong Kong.
He also plans to visit community facilities (社會建設) and financial institutions (金融機構), including Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing and the monetary authority. Arrangements are being made for Li to meet lawmakers, including pan- democrats (note 2), though it is not clear if he will take part in a ribbon-cutting (剪綵) for the new government headquarters at Tamar.
Li is scheduled to open the World University Games in Shenzhen (大學運動會) on Friday before his trip to Hong Kong.
Political commentator Willy Lam Wo-lap said the visit of the vice premier, who oversees (note 3) economic affairs, indicates the central government is concerned about Hong Kong's economic development.
The trip will provide people with an opportunity to better understand a likely member of the "fifth generation" (第五代) of China's leaders to be elected in March in 2013.
Li graduated from Peking University with a PhD (博士學位) in economics in the early 1980s. Before he rose to become a top lieutenant (note 4) of Wen, he served as the governor of Henan in 1998, and then as Liaoning party chief, an office that made him first- in-charge (note 5) there, in 2004.
He advanced (note 6) to national level politics at the 17th party congress in 2007 when he became a member of the Politburo Standing Committee.
From good to better English:
(note 1) forum=論壇 (A public meeting place for open discussion)。the forum of conscience=良心的制裁。the forum of public opinion=輿論的評判。forum 的同義詞有 meeting, conference, assembly, congress, gathering,, rally, convention等。
(note 2) pan- democrats=泛民主派。Pan=拍攝全景。pan out ill=結果不好。How did it pan out? Victor asks=Victor問，結果怎麼樣？flash in the pan=曇花一現。leap out of the frying pan into the fire =跳出鍋裡落進火裡(才脫身小困難，又落入大災難)。
(note 3) oversee=管理(watch over and direct; supervise)。Oversight=看漏，錯過。oversee的同義詞有supervise, control, manage, direct, handle, conduct, look after,
(note 4) top lieutenant=左右手, 副官 (an assistant or deputy)。Lieutenant=陸軍中尉，海軍上尉。the triad boss Victor and his lieutenants= 黑幫[大老]Victor和他的左右手。
(note 5) first- in-charge=內地說的[第一把手]。In charge= 領導 (In a position of leadership or supervision)。in charge of=負責 (Having control over or responsibility for)。例句: Julian is in charge of making the salad=Julian負責做沙律。
(note 6) advance=晉升。Advance in knowledge=增進知識。Advance Victor a month's salary=老闆預支給Victor一個月的薪水。
Victor’s View: Mr Li Keqiang knows economics as he holds a doctoral degree in economics. That’s good for Hong Kong if he gets promoted to premier because we need someone at the top who understands how a financial center ticks.
(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 4 books on English-enhancement [the latest, titled <<學會演說、改變你的人生>>, was published on July 18] and plans to write 6 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)
An SAR government spokesman said Li, considered the likely successor (接班人) to Premier Wen Jiabao, will be here from Tuesday to Thursday at the invitation of the administration.
The 56-year-old Li will attend a forum (note 1) on the 12th Five- Year Plan and Economic, Trade and Financial Co- operation and Development between Hong Kong and the mainland as well as celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the University of Hong Kong.
He also plans to visit community facilities (社會建設) and financial institutions (金融機構), including Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing and the monetary authority. Arrangements are being made for Li to meet lawmakers, including pan- democrats (note 2), though it is not clear if he will take part in a ribbon-cutting (剪綵) for the new government headquarters at Tamar.
Li is scheduled to open the World University Games in Shenzhen (大學運動會) on Friday before his trip to Hong Kong.
Political commentator Willy Lam Wo-lap said the visit of the vice premier, who oversees (note 3) economic affairs, indicates the central government is concerned about Hong Kong's economic development.
The trip will provide people with an opportunity to better understand a likely member of the "fifth generation" (第五代) of China's leaders to be elected in March in 2013.
Li graduated from Peking University with a PhD (博士學位) in economics in the early 1980s. Before he rose to become a top lieutenant (note 4) of Wen, he served as the governor of Henan in 1998, and then as Liaoning party chief, an office that made him first- in-charge (note 5) there, in 2004.
He advanced (note 6) to national level politics at the 17th party congress in 2007 when he became a member of the Politburo Standing Committee.
From good to better English:
(note 1) forum=論壇 (A public meeting place for open discussion)。the forum of conscience=良心的制裁。the forum of public opinion=輿論的評判。forum 的同義詞有 meeting, conference, assembly, congress, gathering,, rally, convention等。
(note 2) pan- democrats=泛民主派。Pan=拍攝全景。pan out ill=結果不好。How did it pan out? Victor asks=Victor問，結果怎麼樣？flash in the pan=曇花一現。leap out of the frying pan into the fire =跳出鍋裡落進火裡(才脫身小困難，又落入大災難)。
(note 3) oversee=管理(watch over and direct; supervise)。Oversight=看漏，錯過。oversee的同義詞有supervise, control, manage, direct, handle, conduct, look after,
(note 4) top lieutenant=左右手, 副官 (an assistant or deputy)。Lieutenant=陸軍中尉，海軍上尉。the triad boss Victor and his lieutenants= 黑幫[大老]Victor和他的左右手。
(note 5) first- in-charge=內地說的[第一把手]。In charge= 領導 (In a position of leadership or supervision)。in charge of=負責 (Having control over or responsibility for)。例句: Julian is in charge of making the salad=Julian負責做沙律。
(note 6) advance=晉升。Advance in knowledge=增進知識。Advance Victor a month's salary=老闆預支給Victor一個月的薪水。
Victor’s View: Mr Li Keqiang knows economics as he holds a doctoral degree in economics. That’s good for Hong Kong if he gets promoted to premier because we need someone at the top who understands how a financial center ticks.
(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 4 books on English-enhancement [the latest, titled <<學會演說、改變你的人生>>, was published on July 18] and plans to write 6 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)
2011年9月20日 星期二
Bargain-hunting (note 1) cyber fans to party
Large discounts (折扣) and HK$1 bargains will only be some of the sops (便宜貨) on offer as Sham Shui Po cyber shops (note 2) try to draw (吸引) buyers to their annual computer festival starting on Friday.
Sellers are doubly (雙重) keen as they will be vying (競爭) with a similar festival by the Chamber of Hong Kong Computer Industry kicking off (note 3) at the convention and exhibition center next week.
A co-organizer of the 11-day Sham Shui Po event, the Hong Kong Computer Association, said representatives went as far as Jinan University in Shenzhen to hand out 6,000 coupons to be exchanged for 8GB USB memory sticks (記憶片) worth HK$109 each, in order to draw students. This will be the first time for the Wan Chai Computer Centre to join the infotech festival - jointly organized (合辦) by the Computer Association and Golden Computer Arcade.
"The annual Computer and Communication Festival at the convention center seriously affects sales at Sham Shui Po and the Wan Chai Computer Centre," association chairman Ip King-ki said. "We hope the earlier opening of our festival will help draw more customers." The chamber-backed (note 4) festival will run from August 19 to 22.
The rival organizers may even extend the Sham Shui Po festival, depending on attendance and the tactics (策謀) adopted by the chamber.
About one million visitors are expected this year, against last year's 620,000. Likely hot sellers include 10-inch Acer tablets (平面電腦) for just HK$4,000, and internet routers (無線上網器) worth HK$39 to HK$1,299 up for grabs (note 5) at HK$1 daily.
Anyone donating (note 6) an old LCD monitor of 15 inches or above can buy a Dell laptop at the bargain price of HK$2,999.
From good to better English:
(note 1) Bargain-hunting=買便宜貨。Bargain=廉價品。Bargain (動詞)=談判。bargain a new wage increase =(藉由談判)達成增加工資的新協定。I did not bargain for that, Victor said=Victor說，我料不到是那樣的。
(note 2) cyber shops=電腦商店。cyber fans=電腦產品迷。cyber 源自cybernetics。
(note 3) kicking off= 開始 (Start, begin)。a kick in the butt (a kick in the pants)=給予一點壓力 (forceful encouragement to do something)。alive and kicking=滿懷熱誠地生活下去 (to continue to live or exist and be full of energy)。
(note 4) chamber-backed=商會支援的。well-backed=後臺硬的。Back=支援，資助。Back and forth=翻來覆去。I'll be back in a minute, Julian says=Julian說她馬上就回來。Keep back ! =不要過來!
(note 5) up for grabs=供人競購。Grab=攫取，抓取；抓住。grab a bus=搭公共汽車。grab hold of=抓緊。grab的同義詞有clasp, clench, clutch, grapple, grasp, grip, seize等。
(note 6) donate=捐贈，捐獻。donate blood to a blood bank=向血庫捐血。 Victor donates 1,000 dollars to an orphanage= Victor向孤兒院捐贈 1000 元。donate 的同義詞有bestow, contribute, give, chip in等。
Victor’s View: I love bargains. But two shows vying for business in the same week doesn’t make much sense to me. Can’t the organizers collaborate and do the shows one by one?
(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 4 books on English-enhancement [the latest, titled <<學會演說、改變你的人生>>, was published on July 18] and plans to write 6 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)
Sellers are doubly (雙重) keen as they will be vying (競爭) with a similar festival by the Chamber of Hong Kong Computer Industry kicking off (note 3) at the convention and exhibition center next week.
A co-organizer of the 11-day Sham Shui Po event, the Hong Kong Computer Association, said representatives went as far as Jinan University in Shenzhen to hand out 6,000 coupons to be exchanged for 8GB USB memory sticks (記憶片) worth HK$109 each, in order to draw students. This will be the first time for the Wan Chai Computer Centre to join the infotech festival - jointly organized (合辦) by the Computer Association and Golden Computer Arcade.
"The annual Computer and Communication Festival at the convention center seriously affects sales at Sham Shui Po and the Wan Chai Computer Centre," association chairman Ip King-ki said. "We hope the earlier opening of our festival will help draw more customers." The chamber-backed (note 4) festival will run from August 19 to 22.
The rival organizers may even extend the Sham Shui Po festival, depending on attendance and the tactics (策謀) adopted by the chamber.
About one million visitors are expected this year, against last year's 620,000. Likely hot sellers include 10-inch Acer tablets (平面電腦) for just HK$4,000, and internet routers (無線上網器) worth HK$39 to HK$1,299 up for grabs (note 5) at HK$1 daily.
Anyone donating (note 6) an old LCD monitor of 15 inches or above can buy a Dell laptop at the bargain price of HK$2,999.
From good to better English:
(note 1) Bargain-hunting=買便宜貨。Bargain=廉價品。Bargain (動詞)=談判。bargain a new wage increase =(藉由談判)達成增加工資的新協定。I did not bargain for that, Victor said=Victor說，我料不到是那樣的。
(note 2) cyber shops=電腦商店。cyber fans=電腦產品迷。cyber 源自cybernetics。
(note 3) kicking off= 開始 (Start, begin)。a kick in the butt (a kick in the pants)=給予一點壓力 (forceful encouragement to do something)。alive and kicking=滿懷熱誠地生活下去 (to continue to live or exist and be full of energy)。
(note 4) chamber-backed=商會支援的。well-backed=後臺硬的。Back=支援，資助。Back and forth=翻來覆去。I'll be back in a minute, Julian says=Julian說她馬上就回來。Keep back ! =不要過來!
(note 5) up for grabs=供人競購。Grab=攫取，抓取；抓住。grab a bus=搭公共汽車。grab hold of=抓緊。grab的同義詞有clasp, clench, clutch, grapple, grasp, grip, seize等。
(note 6) donate=捐贈，捐獻。donate blood to a blood bank=向血庫捐血。 Victor donates 1,000 dollars to an orphanage= Victor向孤兒院捐贈 1000 元。donate 的同義詞有bestow, contribute, give, chip in等。
Victor’s View: I love bargains. But two shows vying for business in the same week doesn’t make much sense to me. Can’t the organizers collaborate and do the shows one by one?
(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 4 books on English-enhancement [the latest, titled <<學會演說、改變你的人生>>, was published on July 18] and plans to write 6 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)
Record high (歷史性高峰) fears (恐慌) in July's inflation level
Record high (歷史性高峰) fears (恐慌) in July's inflation level
Economists expect China's consumer price index (note 1) for July - due out today - to hit a record high of 6.5 percent from a year back.
They also fear further rises are in store (note 2) for the index this year.
This is contrary (相反) to some official forecasts that point to a fall in consumer prices during July.
If readings for a 6.5 percent rise in July are on the mark (note 3), Lu Zhengwei, chief economist at Industrial Bank, told the Shanghai-based Oriental Morning Post, then it would follow that the CPI "might not have reached its peak (頂點) this year."
Economists Shirla Sum at Goldman Sachs and Sun Chi at Nomura are among those expecting the CPI to rise to 6.5 percent.
"Although food prices moderated (和緩) in the last 10 days of July, rising prices earlier last month still drove up (刺激) inflation," said Sun. Yet Xinhua News Agency said last week that the index for July was likely to up (note 4) by 6.3 percent.
As it is, the People's Bank of China is being tipped (估計) to increase interest rates one more time this year, and action is expected by some people as soon as tomorrow.
While that may be just too soon, Lu sees rates hiked (增加) before month's end, while the reserve requirement ratio for banks will be unchanged.
But Sun at Nomura said the possibility of a rate rise is slim (note 5) given market volatility amid the US debt re-rating. "China might be cautious about the gloomy global market, and the cycle of rate hikes may have ended," noted Sun.
The central bank has raised rates three times this year, taking the one-year benchmark (note 6) deposit rate to 3.5 percent and the one-year loan rate to 6.56 percent.
From good to better English:
(note 1) consumer price index=消費物價指數，簡稱cpi或inflation rate (通脹率)。
(note 2) in store= 準備出台 (In readiness, in preparation for future use)。Store(動辭)=貯藏，貯存。I don't know what the future has in store for us, Victor tells Mo Mo= Victor 告訴Mo Mo他不曉得將來他們究竟會怎麼樣。lay in stores for= 為某目的準備著。
(note 3) on the mark=準確。on the mark 的相反是off the mark (Inaccurate, wrong)。例句: Julian’s answers on the test were just wide of the mark= Julian考試的答案錯得很厲害。
(note 4) up (動辭)=上升。She was already up.=她已經起床了。stay up all night=通夜未睡。From $50 up =從50元起。Start up the engine=把機器開動起來。
(note 5) slim=機會微弱。Slim也解做無價值的；不充實的。a slim excuse=理由不充分的藉口。 very slim chances of success=成功的希望很渺茫。The chance for Victor to win a Pulitzer Prize in journalism is slim= Victor取得普立支獎的機會很渺茫。
(note 6) benchmark=標準, 指標性的 (a standard, norm, or yardstick)。Benchmark的同義詞還有criterion, gauge, mark, measure, standard。
Victor’s View: If inflation on the mainland goes up, it will cascade into prices of products shipped to Hong Kong. That will hurt the livelihood of many citizens. We should try our best to keep inflation from running away.
(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 4 books on English-enhancement [the latest, titled <<學會演說、改變你的人生>>, was published on July 18] and plans to write 6 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)
Economists expect China's consumer price index (note 1) for July - due out today - to hit a record high of 6.5 percent from a year back.
They also fear further rises are in store (note 2) for the index this year.
This is contrary (相反) to some official forecasts that point to a fall in consumer prices during July.
If readings for a 6.5 percent rise in July are on the mark (note 3), Lu Zhengwei, chief economist at Industrial Bank, told the Shanghai-based Oriental Morning Post, then it would follow that the CPI "might not have reached its peak (頂點) this year."
Economists Shirla Sum at Goldman Sachs and Sun Chi at Nomura are among those expecting the CPI to rise to 6.5 percent.
"Although food prices moderated (和緩) in the last 10 days of July, rising prices earlier last month still drove up (刺激) inflation," said Sun. Yet Xinhua News Agency said last week that the index for July was likely to up (note 4) by 6.3 percent.
As it is, the People's Bank of China is being tipped (估計) to increase interest rates one more time this year, and action is expected by some people as soon as tomorrow.
While that may be just too soon, Lu sees rates hiked (增加) before month's end, while the reserve requirement ratio for banks will be unchanged.
But Sun at Nomura said the possibility of a rate rise is slim (note 5) given market volatility amid the US debt re-rating. "China might be cautious about the gloomy global market, and the cycle of rate hikes may have ended," noted Sun.
The central bank has raised rates three times this year, taking the one-year benchmark (note 6) deposit rate to 3.5 percent and the one-year loan rate to 6.56 percent.
From good to better English:
(note 1) consumer price index=消費物價指數，簡稱cpi或inflation rate (通脹率)。
(note 2) in store= 準備出台 (In readiness, in preparation for future use)。Store(動辭)=貯藏，貯存。I don't know what the future has in store for us, Victor tells Mo Mo= Victor 告訴Mo Mo他不曉得將來他們究竟會怎麼樣。lay in stores for= 為某目的準備著。
(note 3) on the mark=準確。on the mark 的相反是off the mark (Inaccurate, wrong)。例句: Julian’s answers on the test were just wide of the mark= Julian考試的答案錯得很厲害。
(note 4) up (動辭)=上升。She was already up.=她已經起床了。stay up all night=通夜未睡。From $50 up =從50元起。Start up the engine=把機器開動起來。
(note 5) slim=機會微弱。Slim也解做無價值的；不充實的。a slim excuse=理由不充分的藉口。 very slim chances of success=成功的希望很渺茫。The chance for Victor to win a Pulitzer Prize in journalism is slim= Victor取得普立支獎的機會很渺茫。
(note 6) benchmark=標準, 指標性的 (a standard, norm, or yardstick)。Benchmark的同義詞還有criterion, gauge, mark, measure, standard。
Victor’s View: If inflation on the mainland goes up, it will cascade into prices of products shipped to Hong Kong. That will hurt the livelihood of many citizens. We should try our best to keep inflation from running away.
(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 4 books on English-enhancement [the latest, titled <<學會演說、改變你的人生>>, was published on July 18] and plans to write 6 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)
2011年9月18日 星期日
Parents punished (處罰) for punishing girl
Should errant (犯錯) children be punished by making them stand outside their homes or classroom? Such punishment is common in Hong Kong, but in the eyes of a Tsuen Wan magistrate, it may also amount to (note 1) child abuse (虐待兒童).
Magistrate Lambert Lee Ka-chai yesterday placed a couple on probation (守行為) for one year for making their daughter, nine, stand outside their Tsing Yi home because she was late home from school.
The girl was later found wondering (遊蕩) in the building lobby by a security guard who called police. The parents were arrested and charged with child abuse.
The couple spent 17 days in custody (拘留) before being put on probation. The father, surnamed Tang, 44, and his wife Ip, 35, had earlier pleaded (note 2) guilty to one count of ill-treatment or neglect (note 3) by those in charge of a child.
Ip worked casually (note 4) for a welfare group, earning HK$2,000 for dispatching (分派) food to elderly people. Tang receives HK$4,000 Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (綜援). The couple was denied bail before sentencing.
A Social Welfare Department spokesman said a doctor and social worker followed up (note 5) the case and the girl and her parents are fine.
The court earlier heard the parents were upset (心緒煩亂) when their daughter returned home late on May 31. As a punishment, they ordered her to stand in the corridor outside their flat in Cheung Wang Estate, Tsing Yi. It was 9.30pm. She ended up (note 6) wandering in the lobby and a report was made to the police by a security guard at 2am.
The daughter wrote the court a mitigating letter, saying she hoped the family could be reunited. The magistrate noted the family was close and the decision to leave the girl outside was a moment of misjudgment.
From good to better English:
(note 1) amount to=等同於 (Be equivalent to)。例句: Twenty persons attending Victor’s concert didn’t amount to a good turnout=只有20人出席Victor的演唱會，輒對不是高出席率。
(note 2) plead=答辯。plead ignorance=以不知道情況為藉口。plead for=懇求。Victor’s boss pleads for his favour =Victor的老闆替Victor說情)。
(note 3) ill-treatment or neglect=虐待或忽略照顧。Neglect=無視，不顧。neglect of duty 失職，玩忽職守。treat with neglect 不理睬，怠慢。
(note 4) work casually=臨時工 (廣東話叫散工)，a casual work。Casually=不在意地。not to treat Mo Mo’s warning casually=不要對Mo Mo的警告等閒視之。
(note 5) follow up=跟進。Julian followed up her interview with Chris Yeung with a phone call =Julian 跟Chris Yeung面談後再打電話給他。Follow=接著，跟著發生。Spring follows winter=冬去春來。Follow the lead of Prof Huang=效法黃教授。
(note 6) end up=結果 (Arrive at, result in, finish)。例句: We don't know how Bo Bo will end up=我們不知道Bo Bo結局如何。End=末端，終點。As the summer break draws to its end=在這暑假將要結束的時候。Achieve one's end=達到目的。
ctor’s View: Parents sometimes punish their kids to let them know what’s right or wrong. But in so doing, the kids’ safety must also be of great concern to the parents. After all, all parents love their children.
(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 4 books on English-enhancement [the latest, titled <<學會演說、改變你的人生>>, was published on July 18] and plans to write 6 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)
Magistrate Lambert Lee Ka-chai yesterday placed a couple on probation (守行為) for one year for making their daughter, nine, stand outside their Tsing Yi home because she was late home from school.
The girl was later found wondering (遊蕩) in the building lobby by a security guard who called police. The parents were arrested and charged with child abuse.
The couple spent 17 days in custody (拘留) before being put on probation. The father, surnamed Tang, 44, and his wife Ip, 35, had earlier pleaded (note 2) guilty to one count of ill-treatment or neglect (note 3) by those in charge of a child.
Ip worked casually (note 4) for a welfare group, earning HK$2,000 for dispatching (分派) food to elderly people. Tang receives HK$4,000 Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (綜援). The couple was denied bail before sentencing.
A Social Welfare Department spokesman said a doctor and social worker followed up (note 5) the case and the girl and her parents are fine.
The court earlier heard the parents were upset (心緒煩亂) when their daughter returned home late on May 31. As a punishment, they ordered her to stand in the corridor outside their flat in Cheung Wang Estate, Tsing Yi. It was 9.30pm. She ended up (note 6) wandering in the lobby and a report was made to the police by a security guard at 2am.
The daughter wrote the court a mitigating letter, saying she hoped the family could be reunited. The magistrate noted the family was close and the decision to leave the girl outside was a moment of misjudgment.
From good to better English:
(note 1) amount to=等同於 (Be equivalent to)。例句: Twenty persons attending Victor’s concert didn’t amount to a good turnout=只有20人出席Victor的演唱會，輒對不是高出席率。
(note 2) plead=答辯。plead ignorance=以不知道情況為藉口。plead for=懇求。Victor’s boss pleads for his favour =Victor的老闆替Victor說情)。
(note 3) ill-treatment or neglect=虐待或忽略照顧。Neglect=無視，不顧。neglect of duty 失職，玩忽職守。treat with neglect 不理睬，怠慢。
(note 4) work casually=臨時工 (廣東話叫散工)，a casual work。Casually=不在意地。not to treat Mo Mo’s warning casually=不要對Mo Mo的警告等閒視之。
(note 5) follow up=跟進。Julian followed up her interview with Chris Yeung with a phone call =Julian 跟Chris Yeung面談後再打電話給他。Follow=接著，跟著發生。Spring follows winter=冬去春來。Follow the lead of Prof Huang=效法黃教授。
(note 6) end up=結果 (Arrive at, result in, finish)。例句: We don't know how Bo Bo will end up=我們不知道Bo Bo結局如何。End=末端，終點。As the summer break draws to its end=在這暑假將要結束的時候。Achieve one's end=達到目的。
ctor’s View: Parents sometimes punish their kids to let them know what’s right or wrong. But in so doing, the kids’ safety must also be of great concern to the parents. After all, all parents love their children.
(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 4 books on English-enhancement [the latest, titled <<學會演說、改變你的人生>>, was published on July 18] and plans to write 6 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)
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