Thursday 27 December 2018
Saturday 24 November 2018
Xinhua: Beijing Population Falls for First Time in 20 Years
The population of China's capital, Beijing, fell for the first time in
two decades in 2017, the official Xinhua news agency reported Thursday,
citing official data.
The number of permanent residents reached 21.707 million last year, 22,000 fewer than the previous year, Xinhua said.
The number of people in the city's six urban districts fell 3 percent from 2016 to 2017, the Xinhua report said, citing the city's People's Congress.
Authorities in Beijing have been trying to curb population growth as part of their efforts to ease traffic congestion, resource shortages and house price inflation.
Beijing's population has risen by two-thirds since 1998, while energy consumption has more than doubled and the number of vehicles tripled. It said in 2016 it would try to cap its population at 23 million by the end of the decade.
The city has been working on integrating its economy with the neighboring province of Hebei and the city of Tianjin in a bid to allow some of its universities, government departments and industrial firms to move out.
It has also set up a new development zone at Xiongan in Hebei to take on some of Beijing's "non-capital" functions, and it is also investing heavily on transportation networks in order to make it easier for long-distance commuters.
While big cities like Beijing and Shanghai have sought to control population growth, China as a whole is trying to boost its birth rate, which fell in 2017 and is expected to decline further this year.
China's elderly population is expected to reach 400 million by the end of 2035, up from around 240 million this year, putting its health services and pension funds under immense strain, according to data published last year by the China Association of Social Security, a research group.
The number of permanent residents reached 21.707 million last year, 22,000 fewer than the previous year, Xinhua said.
The number of people in the city's six urban districts fell 3 percent from 2016 to 2017, the Xinhua report said, citing the city's People's Congress.
Authorities in Beijing have been trying to curb population growth as part of their efforts to ease traffic congestion, resource shortages and house price inflation.
Beijing's population has risen by two-thirds since 1998, while energy consumption has more than doubled and the number of vehicles tripled. It said in 2016 it would try to cap its population at 23 million by the end of the decade.
The city has been working on integrating its economy with the neighboring province of Hebei and the city of Tianjin in a bid to allow some of its universities, government departments and industrial firms to move out.
It has also set up a new development zone at Xiongan in Hebei to take on some of Beijing's "non-capital" functions, and it is also investing heavily on transportation networks in order to make it easier for long-distance commuters.
While big cities like Beijing and Shanghai have sought to control population growth, China as a whole is trying to boost its birth rate, which fell in 2017 and is expected to decline further this year.
China's elderly population is expected to reach 400 million by the end of 2035, up from around 240 million this year, putting its health services and pension funds under immense strain, according to data published last year by the China Association of Social Security, a research group.
新华社：北京人口20年来首次下降
中国官方新华社援引官方数据称，中国首都北京的人口在2017年下降，这是20年来的第一次。
新华社称，去年北京永久居民人数达到2170.7万人，比上一年减少22,000人。
新华社援引市人民代表大会的报告称，北京市六个城区的人数从2016年到2017年下降了3％。
北京当局一直在努力遏制人口增长，这是缓解城市交通拥堵、资源短缺和房价飞涨的部分努力。
自1998年以来，北京的人口增长了三分之二，而能源消耗增加了一倍以上，车辆数量增加了两倍。北京政府在2016年表示，将设法在本世纪末前将人口数量限制在2300万。
北京市一直致力于与邻近的河北省和天津市进行经济上的整合，允许其部分大学、政府部门和工业企业迁出。
它还在河北的雄安建立了一个新的开发区，承担北京的一些“非首都”功能，同时也在交通网络上进行大量投资，为长途通勤者提供便利。
虽然北京和上海等大城市都试图控制人口增长，但中国从整体上在努力提高出生率。中国的出生率在2017年下降，预计今年将进一步下降。
根据去年中国社会保障协会发布的数据，中国的老年人口预计到2035年底将达到4亿，高于今年的2.4亿，这将给其其医疗服务和养老基金带来巨大压力。
The Verbs Let, Allow and Permit
The verbs “let,” “allow” and “permit” are part of a group of verbs
called “causatives.” These verbs express how one person or thing causes
something else to happen. For instance, if I said, “She let me
borrow the book,” the subject (she) is not the person who borrowed the
book. Instead, she caused someone (me) to borrow it.
In a past Everyday Grammar program, we told you about the causative verbs “make,” “get” and “have.” Today, we will tell you about “let,” “allow” and “permit” – three verbs that deal with permission.
These verbs are synonyms - words with very close meanings. They mean:
We will look at each verb. But let’s begin by talking a little bit more about causatives.
In a causative sentence, the subject does not perform the action of the main verb. Instead, the subject (a person or thing) causes the action to happen to the object (another person or thing).
Causative sentences start with a subject, followed by a causative verb, then an object and then the main verb. Think of it as X causing Y to do something.
How to use Let
Okay, now let's talk about “let.” It is the most informal of the three verbs.
Listen to some examples and make a note of which sentences are about possibility and which are about permission.
You will also hear that the main verbs – go, enjoy and cook – are in simple form. The simple form is the most basic form of a verb without “to” before it or “s” at the end. Have a listen:
I let my children go to the game every week.
The warm days let us enjoy the end of summer.
Let the vegetables cook for about 20 minutes.
How to use Allow
Now, let’s look at “allow.” It is more formal than “let” but less formal than “permit.” You can use it in everyday situations. You may also find it in official rules, such as street, building and office signs.
With “allow,” we use the infinitive form for main verbs. The infinitive form is “to” plus the simple form of the verb.
In the following examples, make a note of the meaning of “allow” in each. Which sentences are about permission? Which are about possibility? And, note the use of infinitive main verbs:
My teaching skills allow me to help English learners.
Her parents do not allow her to eat beef.
They do not allow us to smoke in the building.
You may have noted that two examples are in the negative form. When talking about rules, we often use “allow” in the negative to say what people must not do.
The passive form
Now, let’s take a quick break to talk about the passive form, an important form for these verbs. The verbs “allow” and “permit” are often used in passive sentences.
You may remember our past programs on passive voice.
In a passive sentence, the subject is acted upon, or receives the action of the verb. The subject is often not mentioned in the sentence.
When we speak or write about official rules, we often use passive voice. Let’s hear the smoking rule again, this time in the passive:
Smoking is not allowed in the building.
The person or people who made the rule are not mentioned because it is not relevant to the statement.
How to use Permit
Now, onto “permit” – the most formal of the three verbs.
We use it for everyday rules, such as those of a family. We also use it when talking about making things possible.
But, in American English, “permit” is more common in sentences about official rules, such as in signs and handbooks that state what you are not permitted to do.
And, like “allow,” we use the infinitive form for main verbs with “permit.” Listen for the infinitives in these examples:
Her parents do not permit her to eat beef.
The city does not permit pets to ride the Metro.
The zoo does not permit visitors to feed the animals.
Again, for official rules, we often use passive voice. Let’s hear two of the examples as passive:
Pets are not permitted to ride the Metro.
Visitors are not permitted to feed the animals.
Imagine these as public signs. Most public signs are not complete sentences. What you often will see is very short wording, such as “smoking not permitted.”
It is important to note that not all sentences with “let” “allow” and “permit” follow the causative sentence structure.
In a past Everyday Grammar program, we told you about the causative verbs “make,” “get” and “have.” Today, we will tell you about “let,” “allow” and “permit” – three verbs that deal with permission.
These verbs are synonyms - words with very close meanings. They mean:
- to give permission to someone or something to do something or
- to make it possible for someone or something to have or do something
We will look at each verb. But let’s begin by talking a little bit more about causatives.
In a causative sentence, the subject does not perform the action of the main verb. Instead, the subject (a person or thing) causes the action to happen to the object (another person or thing).
Causative sentences start with a subject, followed by a causative verb, then an object and then the main verb. Think of it as X causing Y to do something.
How to use Let
Okay, now let's talk about “let.” It is the most informal of the three verbs.
Listen to some examples and make a note of which sentences are about possibility and which are about permission.
You will also hear that the main verbs – go, enjoy and cook – are in simple form. The simple form is the most basic form of a verb without “to” before it or “s” at the end. Have a listen:
I let my children go to the game every week.
The warm days let us enjoy the end of summer.
Let the vegetables cook for about 20 minutes.
How to use Allow
Now, let’s look at “allow.” It is more formal than “let” but less formal than “permit.” You can use it in everyday situations. You may also find it in official rules, such as street, building and office signs.
With “allow,” we use the infinitive form for main verbs. The infinitive form is “to” plus the simple form of the verb.
In the following examples, make a note of the meaning of “allow” in each. Which sentences are about permission? Which are about possibility? And, note the use of infinitive main verbs:
My teaching skills allow me to help English learners.
Her parents do not allow her to eat beef.
They do not allow us to smoke in the building.
You may have noted that two examples are in the negative form. When talking about rules, we often use “allow” in the negative to say what people must not do.
The passive form
Now, let’s take a quick break to talk about the passive form, an important form for these verbs. The verbs “allow” and “permit” are often used in passive sentences.
You may remember our past programs on passive voice.
In a passive sentence, the subject is acted upon, or receives the action of the verb. The subject is often not mentioned in the sentence.
When we speak or write about official rules, we often use passive voice. Let’s hear the smoking rule again, this time in the passive:
Smoking is not allowed in the building.
The person or people who made the rule are not mentioned because it is not relevant to the statement.
How to use Permit
Now, onto “permit” – the most formal of the three verbs.
We use it for everyday rules, such as those of a family. We also use it when talking about making things possible.
But, in American English, “permit” is more common in sentences about official rules, such as in signs and handbooks that state what you are not permitted to do.
And, like “allow,” we use the infinitive form for main verbs with “permit.” Listen for the infinitives in these examples:
Her parents do not permit her to eat beef.
The city does not permit pets to ride the Metro.
The zoo does not permit visitors to feed the animals.
Again, for official rules, we often use passive voice. Let’s hear two of the examples as passive:
Pets are not permitted to ride the Metro.
Visitors are not permitted to feed the animals.
Imagine these as public signs. Most public signs are not complete sentences. What you often will see is very short wording, such as “smoking not permitted.”
It is important to note that not all sentences with “let” “allow” and “permit” follow the causative sentence structure.
Wednesday 21 November 2018
Shopping and travelling guides for Thanksgiving
1.Customs and history
Trump’s speech at the National Thanksgiving Turkey Pardoning Ceremony
10 Thanksgiving traditions from around the world
Thanksgiving by the numbers
Trump grants poultry pardons to turkeys Peas and Carrots
Canadian Thanksgiving Day 2018
Survivors find reasons to be thankful after deadly California fire
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade: All you need to know
Taco Bell unveils special Friendsgiving menu
A Script to Play the Role of Guest Star
When Italians Meet Turkey
The 2-D Thanksgiving
How the Chicken Built America
Thanksgiving: An American Tradition
How Did Thanksgiving ‘Turkey’ Get Its Name?
What Is the History of the Presidential Turkey Pardon?
The site of the REAL first Thanksgiving
Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade: 6 fun things you may not know
Why a salmonella outbreak shouldn’t ruin your Thanksgiving
The November Holiday You Haven’t Heard Of
Americans Express Gratitude on Thanksgiving Holiday
5 Weird Things That Happen on American Thanksgiving
Did the Pilgrims Really Invent Thanksgiving?
Will Thanksgiving save California?
South Dakota turkeys head to White House seeking pardons
2.Travelling
AAA warns of record-breaking traffic this Thanksgiving
Forecasters warn Thanksgiving could be the chilliest on record
When Thanksgiving was known as Ragamuffin Day!
Get away at these great Thanksgiving destinations
Google’s Thanksgiving traffic report
3.Shopping
How do YOU feel about Black Friday shopping?
Some Forgo Thanksgiving Day Festivities for Black Friday Sales
US Thanksgiving Weekend: Family Celebrations, Then Holiday Shopping
Now cyber shoppers turn Black Friday into party night
Prices on Black Friday are often more EXPENSIVE than at other times of year
Black Friday: Shop it or skip it?
Black Friday 2018: How to get the best deals
How to get the best price on a holiday plane ticket
Trump’s speech at the National Thanksgiving Turkey Pardoning Ceremony
10 Thanksgiving traditions from around the world
Thanksgiving by the numbers
Trump grants poultry pardons to turkeys Peas and Carrots
Canadian Thanksgiving Day 2018
Survivors find reasons to be thankful after deadly California fire
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade: All you need to know
Taco Bell unveils special Friendsgiving menu
A Script to Play the Role of Guest Star
When Italians Meet Turkey
The 2-D Thanksgiving
How the Chicken Built America
Thanksgiving: An American Tradition
How Did Thanksgiving ‘Turkey’ Get Its Name?
What Is the History of the Presidential Turkey Pardon?
The site of the REAL first Thanksgiving
Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade: 6 fun things you may not know
Why a salmonella outbreak shouldn’t ruin your Thanksgiving
The November Holiday You Haven’t Heard Of
Americans Express Gratitude on Thanksgiving Holiday
5 Weird Things That Happen on American Thanksgiving
Did the Pilgrims Really Invent Thanksgiving?
Will Thanksgiving save California?
South Dakota turkeys head to White House seeking pardons
2.Travelling
AAA warns of record-breaking traffic this Thanksgiving
Forecasters warn Thanksgiving could be the chilliest on record
When Thanksgiving was known as Ragamuffin Day!
Get away at these great Thanksgiving destinations
Google’s Thanksgiving traffic report
3.Shopping
How do YOU feel about Black Friday shopping?
Some Forgo Thanksgiving Day Festivities for Black Friday Sales
US Thanksgiving Weekend: Family Celebrations, Then Holiday Shopping
Now cyber shoppers turn Black Friday into party night
Prices on Black Friday are often more EXPENSIVE than at other times of year
Black Friday: Shop it or skip it?
Black Friday 2018: How to get the best deals
How to get the best price on a holiday plane ticket
Sunday 18 November 2018
Geili English
Geili English(https://www.geilien.cn) is a newly established website aiming at travelling,health,and English learning.
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