英語角

Chinese-African trade cooperation leaps to new high

The trade cooperation between China and Africa has risen to a new high over the past one year after the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation was held. China and Africa are cooperation partners of mutual benefits and complementary advantages.

Trade volume between Africa and China has increased to US$32 billion in the first six months of this year, an increase of 25 percent over the same period last year, enabling China to become Africa's third largest trading partner.

The sound development has played a pivotal role in promoting economic progress and improving people's living conditions in both Africa and China. Goods from China with high quality and low prices satisfy basic needs of Africans and received their welcome.

Africa has also become one of the investment destinations preferred by Chinese enterprises. The projects with Chinese investment have covered many areas like trade, processing, resources exploration, transport and agriculture in 49 African countries. Investment from China was also welcome in Africa as it spurs the economic development of African nations, creates jobs, brings technologies fit for the continent and builds up the capacity of African countries in national construction.

In addition, the Sino-African trade cooperation is marked by labor contracting. Relying on sound political relations between China and Africa, Chinese enterprises are active in Africa's labor contracting market and expand their engineering business scope with low-priced architectural products of high quality. Their projects range from housebuilding, railway, road, tunnel, bridge and dam construction to the rehabilitation of urban water supply systems.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao stressed at the annual board meeting of African Development Bank this May in Shanghai that importance should also be attached to public welfare projects when efforts are made to strengthen the Sino-African cooperation, especially in the fields of infrastructure construction, agriculture, medical care, education, poverty eradication and environment protection which are welcomed by African people.

The trade cooperation between China and Africa has entered a stage of development with various levels, dimensions and a wide scope. The two sides can bring a brighter future to the cooperation on the basis of insisting on traditional friendship and in the spirit of innovation.

Bring Me the Winner

Once, a fellow went into a restaurant and ordered a two-pound lobster.

“Waiter,” the fellow said when his meal was placed before him, “This lobster has only one claw.”

“I'm sorry.” the waiter replied. “But sometimes the lobstersfight in the tank.”

“In that case,” the fellowsaid, “Bring me the winner.”

High and Low Voice

“Can you explain to me what the difference is between a high-pitched and low-pitched voice?”

“A high-pitched voice is when my father scolds me and a low-pitched voice is when my father speaks with his boss.”