英語角-圓桌會議 RoundTable - 精華版文化篇

Topic1 Cao Cao DNA DecodedA team of Fudan University researchers has made headlines around the world.

They recently announced that they had decoded the DNA of Cao Cao, a great warlord from the Three Kingdoms period, some 1,800 years ago who was posthumously made an emperor.

However, while some express excitement over the news, others question whether the research has anything to do with the majority of the public.

So is it something that we should care after all? DNA is the handbook of life. DNA research is valuable in many cases. Why Cao Cao?

Topic2 Reading SurveyThe next Tuesday is World Reading Day. Recently, Chinese Academy of Press and Publication has released the 10th National Reading Survey. It shows that in 2012, Chinese people have read both more paper books and e-books.

So have we been reading more? What can we know from the survey?

Topic3 Law on ReadingThe State Administration of Press，Publication，Radio, Film and Television recently mulls a draft law for reading. Now experts have begun their survey work in different cities and regions. The administration is also soliciting opinions from relevant enterprises. The draft law is expected to hand in to the State Council by the end of the year.

Why do we need a reading law? Do we need one?

Topic4 Abacus a World HeritageZhusuan, otherwise known as the Chinese abacus was officially listed as an intangible cultural heritage at the 8th Annual UNESCO World Heritage Congress on December 4th in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Why is it chosen? Because it’s a heritage, or because it’s dying or because it’s a dying heritage?

Topic5 Eating OutA recent report by Unilever Food Solutions shows that over 85% of Chinese consumers eat out at least once a week.

Statistics from the National Statistic Bureau show that between this January and August, the country’s revenue of catering industry had reached of 1.6 trillion yuan, approximately 9% increase from the same period of last year. The annual revenue is expected to reach 2.5 trillion yuan.

Chinese are proud of their culinary culture. We’d like to think we have the best food in the world, though many other cultures want to claim that title as well. In terms of frequenting restaurants, do you think we can generalize a bit and say Chinese people like eating out a lot? Why or why not?

Topic6 Wuxia in Literature HistoryAfter the craze to adapt Jin Yong’s works into TV series, Wu Xia novelist Gu Long’s works are in the spotlight. His complete works are being republished, 8 related TV series are being shown or in the plan, and 6 games based on his novels will be released. Although Wuxia novels are very popular among Chinese, many fans discover that in Chinese Literature History books, Wuxia writers, even the most popular ones like Gu Long and Jin Yong are not even mentioned. Should Wuxia writers be recorded into China’s literature history?