英语新闻丨'Chicken steak brother' turns small city into instant hit

According to the World University Rankings 2026 released by the Britain-based Times Higher Education (THE), Hong Kong universities have continued to hold top spots, with five institutions ranked in the global top 100.据英国《泰晤士高等教育》（THE）发布的2026年世界大学排名显示，香港高校持续保持领先地位，共有5所院校跻身全球前100名。A spokesperson for the Education Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said on Thursday that the encouraging results fully recognized the achievements of Hong Kong's post-secondary education sector in its pursuit of and endeavor for excellence. The results also served as testimony to the HKSAR government's significant progress in developing Hong Kong into an international post-secondary education hub.香港特别行政区政府教育局发言人于周四表示，这一可喜成果充分肯定了香港高等教育界在追求卓越、奋力进取过程中取得的成就，也印证了特区政府在推动香港建设国际高等教育枢纽方面取得的显著进展。According to the rankings, the University of Hong Kong rose two places to 33rd globally; the Chinese University of Hong Kong moved up three places to 41st; the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology jumped eight places to 58th; City University of Hong Kong advanced three places to 75th; and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University climbed one place to 83rd.从具体排名来看：香港大学排名上升2位，位列全球第33名；香港中文大学前进3位，排名全球第41名；香港科技大学大幅跃升8位，位居全球第58名；香港城市大学提升3位，跻身全球第75名；香港理工大学上升1位，位列全球第83名。In addition, Hong Kong Baptist University rose from the 251-300 band to the 201-250 band. The Education University of Hong Kong and Lingnan University entered the rankings for the first time, ranking 195th and in the 301-350 band, respectively.此外，香港浸会大学排名从全球251-300名区间升至201-250名区间；香港教育大学和岭南大学首次进入该排名，分别位列全球第195名和301-350名区间。Zhang Xiang, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Hong Kong, said that the university remains steadfast in upholding its tradition of excellence, advancing its mission as a world-leading institution through cutting-edge teaching and research and innovative knowledge exchange, thereby strengthening its contributions to the high-quality development of the HKSAR and the country.香港大学校长张翔表示，港大将始终坚守卓越传统，通过前沿教学科研与创新性知识交流，践行世界一流高校的使命，为香港特区及国家的高质量发展作出更大贡献。Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, vice-chancellor and president of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said that the ranking reflects the university's continuous progress in teaching, research and internationalization, and the university will remain committed to nurturing globally-minded future leaders with academic excellence and aspirations to contribute back to societies.香港中文大学校长卢煜明指出，此次排名体现了中大在教学、科研及国际化领域的持续进步。中大将继续致力于培养具备全球视野、学术优异且有志回馈社会的未来领袖。President of the Education University of Hong Kong John Lee Chi-Kin said that the university's debut at 195th in the rankings reflects the dedication of the university's faculty and students in advancing education and research with global impact. The university is committed to nurturing future talent with positive values and vision in order to better serve the HKSAR and the country.香港教育大学校长李子建表示，教大首次上榜即位列全球第195名，这反映了全校师生在推动具有全球影响力的教育与科研工作中付出的努力。教大将持续培养拥有正向价值观与远大视野的未来人才，更好地服务香港特区与国家发展。testimonyn.证明；证据/ˈtestɪməni/post-secondaryadj.高等教育的/ˌpəʊst ˈsekəndri/debutv.首次亮相；首次参与/ˈdeɪbjuː/

Record-breaking passenger volumes have been reached as travelers return to their homes after the eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday that ended on Wednesday, with both cross-regional travel and daily passenger flows hitting new highs, according to official data. 官方数据显示，为期 8 天的国庆中秋双节假期于 10 月 9 日（周三）落幕，返程客流叠加假期出行需求，跨区域出行总量与单日客流量双双刷新历史纪录，全国假日出行市场呈现旺盛态势。 The Ministry of Transport estimates that 2.43 billion cross-regional trips were made between Oct 1 and Wednesday, averaging 304 million trips a day. 交通运输部 10 月 9 日发布数据称，10 月 1 日至 9 日，全国跨区域累计出行量达 24.3 亿人次，日均 3.04 亿人次。 By mode of transport, railways were responsible for an estimated 153 million passenger trips, averaging 19.24 million a day, up 2.6 percent from a year earlier. Waterways saw 11.67 million, averaging 1.46 million daily, up 4.2 percent, while civil aviation handled 19.17 million, averaging 2.4 million daily, an increase of 3.4 percent. The road network, including expressways and national highways, saw about 2.25 billion passenger trips, averaging more than 280 million a day — a 6.5 percent rise year-on-year, the ministry said on Wednesday. 分运输方式看：铁路累计发送旅客 1.53 亿人次，日均 1924 万人次，同比增长 2.6%；水路累计发送旅客 1167 万人次，日均 146 万人次，同比增长 4.2%；民航累计运输旅客 1917 万人次，日均 240 万人次，同比增长 3.4%；公路（含高速公路、国道等）累计发送旅客 22.5 亿人次，日均超 2.8 亿人次，同比增长 6.5%，公路仍是假日出行的主要选择。 The travel peak began on Oct 1, with 336 million cross-regional trips made nationwide — the highest figure on record for the same period. On that day alone, China's railways handled 23.13 million passenger trips, setting a single-day record. 本次假期出行高峰自 10 月 1 日起正式开启，当日全国跨区域出行量达 3.36 亿人次，创同期历史最高纪录；仅铁路部门当日就发送旅客 2313 万人次，刷新单日发送量历史峰值，单日出行热度空前。 Major urban clusters such as the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle were among the top destinations for travelers. 从出行目的地来看，京津冀、长三角、粤港澳大湾区、成渝地区双城经济圈等重点城市群成为热门区域，区域内人员流动频繁，城市群间互联互通优势进一步凸显。 Transportation authorities said this year's travel rush was marked by larger passenger volumes, smoother operations and improved service capacity across all transport modes. Many high-speed rail stations extended operating hours, opened additional security lanes and arranged overnight services to accommodate surging demand. 交通运输部门表示，今年假日出行高峰呈现 “客流量更大、运行更顺畅、服务能力更优” 三大特点。为应对激增的出行需求，全国多地高铁站延长运营时间、增设安检通道，并开通夜间便民服务；各大交通枢纽通过优化调度、增加运力等措施，全力保障旅客出行效率。 Self-driving remained the preferred travel option for many families. To ensure smooth journeys for new energy vehicles, local authorities expanded charging facilities and deployed mobile charging units along expressways. 自驾游仍是家庭出行的主流选择。针对新能源汽车出行需求，各地在高速公路沿线加密充电设施布局，并投放移动充电设备。 In Hunan province, 144 new charging spaces were added across 31 expressway service areas, bringing the total to more than 1,380 charging spots — including 22 ultra-fast stations capable of adding 300 kilometers of range in five minutes. In Hubei province, expressway service areas added 219 mobile chargers and 2,100 extra staff, boosting charging capacity by more than 40 percent to handle a 60 percent rise in demand. 其中，湖南省在 31 个高速公路服务区新增 144 个充电车位，全省高速服务区充电车位总量突破 1380 个，含 22 个超快充站 —— 车辆在这类站点充电 5 分钟即可补充 300 公里续航里程；湖北省在高速服务区新增 219 台移动充电设备，同时增派 2100 名工作人员，充电服务能力提升超 40%，有效应对了同比增长 60% 的充电需求。 New infrastructure has also improved accessibility. On Sept 28, a new high-speed railway linking Shenyang, Liaoning province, and Baishan, Jilin province, opened, reducing travel time between Shenyang and the popular tourist destination Changbai Mountain from about three hours to less than two. 交通新基建的落地，进一步提升了出行便捷度。9 月 28 日，辽宁沈阳至吉林白山高铁建成通车，沈阳至热门旅游目的地长白山的通行时间由原来的约 3 小时缩短至 2 小时以内，为东北旅游市场注入新活力。 In Hunan, two major expressways — the Sanglong Expressway and Luci Expressway — began operation on Sept 29, shortening travel times and connecting key tourism destinations across Hunan and Hubei provinces. 9 月 29 日，湖南省桑龙高速、炉慈高速两条重点高速公路同步通车，不仅缩短了区域通行时间，更串联起湘鄂两省重点旅游景区，促进跨区域旅游资源联动。 Civil aviation also saw strong growth. Passenger traffic during the holiday was projected to reach a record 19.2 million, up 3.6 percent year-on-year, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China. Airlines increased capacity, with China Southern Airlines resuming Beijing Daxing-Tehran flights on Oct 3 and launching a Beijing Daxing-Doha route on Oct 16. 民航领域同样实现稳健增长。中国民用航空局数据显示，假期期间民航旅客运输量预计达 1920 万人次，同比增长 3.6%，创同期新高。各航空公司积极加密航线、增加运力：10 月 3 日，中国南方航空恢复北京大兴至伊朗德黑兰航线；10 月 16 日，南航还将开通北京大兴至卡塔尔多哈新航线，进一步丰富国际出行选择。 Cross-border travel also surged. The National Immigration Administration said average daily border crossings were expected to exceed 2 million during the holiday period, with peaks on Oct 1 and 6. It attributed the rise to growing interest in outbound travel, bolstered by visa-free entry policies and increased international flights, and said measures were taken nationwide to ensure safe and efficient customs clearance. 跨境出行热度显著回升。国家移民管理局表示，假期期间全国日均出入境人员数量预计超 200 万人次，10 月 1 日、6 日出现两次出入境高峰。据分析，出境游需求持续释放、多国免签政策便利化以及国际航班运力增加，是跨境出行增长的主要原因。全国边检机关已采取多项措施，保障旅客高效、安全通关。 China's increasingly integrated transportation network now connects more than 80 percent of county-level regions and serves about 90 percent of the nation's economy and population, underpinning both mobility and economic vitality. 目前，中国综合交通运输网络已覆盖全国 80% 以上的县级行政区，服务全国约 90% 的经济总量与人口规模，不仅为民众便捷出行提供坚实支撑，更成为激活经济活力、推动区域协调发展的重要基石。 cross-regionaladj.跨区域的/ˌkrɒsˈriːdʒənl/ deployv.部署；调配/dɪˈplɔɪ/ underpinv.翻译：巩固；支撑；为…… 奠定基础/ˌʌndəˈpɪn/

The Communist Party of China will convene a key leadership meeting from Oct 20 to 23 in Beijing to map out priorities of the nation's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), a blueprint that will shape the nation's economic and social agenda and lay the groundwork for its long-term modernization goals.中国共产党将于10月20日至23日在北京召开重要领导会议，制定“十五五”规划（2026-2030年）的重点任务。该规划作为一份蓝图，将确定国家经济社会发展议程，并为国家长期现代化目标奠定基础。The date for the fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee was set at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Monday. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting.五年规划是指导中国中长期发展的重要战略文件，明确了每个五年期间各领域的国家目标、主要任务和政策方向。中共二十届四中全会的召开日期是在周一召开的中共中央政治局会议上确定的，中共中央总书记习近平主持了此次会议。Five-year plans are crucial strategic documents guiding China's medium- and long-term development, which outline national goals, major tasks and policy directions in various sectors for each five-year period.五年规划是指导中国中长期发展的重要战略文件，明确了每个五年期间各领域的国家目标、主要任务和政策方向。During Monday's meeting, the Political Bureau was briefed about the opinions solicited from within and outside the CPC about a document on the CPC Central Committee's proposals for formulating the next five-year plan. It was decided at the meeting that the document will be revised based on the discussion at the meeting and submitted to the fourth plenary session for deliberation.在周一的会议上，政治局听取了关于《中共中央关于制定下一步五年规划的建议》文件的党内外意见征求情况汇报。会议决定，将根据会议讨论情况对该文件进行修改，并提交四中全会审议。The plenary session will take place as China nears the completion of its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), which has yielded significant achievements. The country is now gearing up to establish priorities for the upcoming 2026-30 period.此次全会召开之际，中国正接近完成“十四五”规划（2021-2025年），该规划已取得显著成就，目前国家正着手确定2026-2030年的重点任务。The meeting highlighted the importance of upholding the Party's overall leadership during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. With a focus on putting people first, efforts should be made to ensure that more benefits of modernization are shared more fairly among all the people, the meeting said.会议强调，“十五五”时期必须坚持党的全面领导，坚持以人民为中心，努力让现代化建设成果更多更公平惠及全体人民。It stressed the need to stay committed to high-quality development, foster new quality productive forces in line with local conditions, and comprehensively deepen reform while further expanding high-level opening-up.同时，要坚持高质量发展，因地制宜培育新质生产力，全面深化改革，进一步扩大高水平对外开放。China will promote better interplay between an efficient market and a well-functioning government, giving full play to the decisive role of the market in the allocation of resources and ensuring that the government plays its role better, said a statement released after the meeting.会后发布的声明指出，中国将推动有效市场和有为政府更好结合，充分发挥市场在资源配置中的决定性作用，更好发挥政府作用。In accordance with the strategic plan for building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects, as outlined at the 20th CPC National Congress in 2022, China will basically achieve socialist modernization by 2035 through the implementation of the 14th, 15th and 16th five-year plans.根据2022年党的二十大提出的全面建设社会主义现代化强国战略部署，中国将通过实施“十四五”“十五五”“十六五”规划，到2035年基本实现社会主义现代化。Since the start of this year, Xi has made a series of instructions to chart the course for the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan.今年以来，习近平总书记就“十五五”规划编制作出一系列重要指示。During an inspection tour to Shanghai in April, Xi said at a symposium on China's economic and social development in the 2026-30 period that "the planning must focus on the goal of basically realizing socialist modernization, with a view to building a great country and advancing national rejuvenation".4月在上海考察时，于2026-2030年中国经济社会发展座谈会上指出，“规划要聚焦基本实现社会主义现代化这一目标，着眼于建设强国、推进民族复兴”。In an instruction in May, he stressed sound, democratic and law-based decision-making to ensure high-quality formulation of the five-year plan.He also emphasized the importance of integrating top-level design with seeking advice from the public, enhancing research and discussions, and building broad consensus.5月在相关指示中强调，要坚持科学决策、民主决策、依法决策，确保五年规划高质量编制，同时重视顶层设计与问计于民相结合，加强研究论证，凝聚广泛共识。The General Office of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, noted in a report released earlier this month that guiding economic and social development with medium-and long-term plans is an important approach adopted by the Party in governing the country.Practice has proved that medium-and long-term development plans can not only give full play to the decisive role of the market in resource allocation, but also better leverage the role of the government, the report said.中国最高立法机关——全国人大常委会办公厅在本月初发布的一份报告中指出，以中长期规划指导经济社会发展，是党治国理政的重要方式。实践证明，中长期发展规划既能充分发挥市场在资源配置中的决定性作用，又能更好发挥政府作用。In a report released on Sunday, China Galaxy Securities said it believes that the key focuses during the 15th Five-Year Plan period will include promoting technological innovation, boosting domestic demand, addressing "involution-style" competition, advancing market-based reforms for the allocation of production factors, building a green and low-carbon economy, and enhancing people's well-being.中国银河证券在周日发布的报告中表示，预计“十五五”时期的重点方向包括推动科技创新、扩大内需、应对“内卷式”竞争、推进生产要素市场化配置改革、发展绿色低碳经济以及增进民生福祉。convenev.召开/kənˈviːn/deliberationn.审议；深思熟虑；讨论/dɪˌlɪbəˈreɪʃn/leveragev.充分利用；发挥/ˈliːvərɪdʒ/

Home favorite Zheng Qinwen retired from her third-round match against Czech player Linda Noskova while trailing 6-4, 3-6, 3-0 at the China Open on Monday. 在周一举行的中国网球公开赛第三轮比赛中，中国本土名将郑钦文对阵捷克选手琳达・诺斯科娃。当比分为6-4、3-6、3-0时，郑钦文选择退赛。"It's really disappointing not to finish the match because I've always prided myself on fighting until the last point," Zheng said afterwards. "But this was my first surgery, and I don't want something more serious to happen. My team and I decided it was better to stop today."“没能打完这场比赛真的很遗憾，因为我一直以坚持到最后一分为荣，”郑钦文赛后表示，“但这是我第一次接受手术，我不想让伤情变得更严重。我和团队商量后决定，今天最好还是选择退赛。”After losing in the first round at Wimbledon in July, Zheng underwent surgery on her right elbow and missed more than two months of competitions, including the US Open. The China Open was her first event since returning from injury.今年7月温布尔登网球锦标赛首轮出局后，郑钦文接受了右肘手术，随后缺席了两个多月的赛事，其中包括美国网球公开赛。本次中国网球公开赛是她伤愈复出后的首站比赛。"I'm coming from surgery, so playing here was a tough but also the right decision for me," Zheng said. "I wanted to see where my body is right now, and these two matches gave me a clearer idea."“我刚经历过手术，所以能在这里参赛对我来说很艰难，但也是一个正确的决定，”郑钦文说，“我想看看自己目前的身体状况，这两场比赛让我有了更清晰的认识。”Arriving in Beijing as the seventh seed, Zheng received a first-round bye and opened her campaign with a straight-set victory over Colombia's Emiliana Arango in the second round before the clash against Noskova, whom Zheng had defeated twice in as many previous meetings.作为赛会7号种子，郑钦文在首轮享受轮空待遇。第二轮比赛中，她直落数盘击败哥伦比亚选手埃米利亚娜・阿朗戈，随后在第三轮迎来与诺斯科娃的对决——在此前的两次交锋中，郑钦文均取得了胜利。"I already expected some pain before the tournament. These matches showed me that when I reach a certain level of intensity, the pain can get worse. That's why I had to make a conservative choice this time," she said.“赛前我就预料到可能会有疼痛感。这两场比赛让我意识到，当比赛强度达到一定程度时，疼痛会加剧。这就是我这次不得不做出保守选择（退赛）的原因。”她补充道。Noskova, 20, seized the early initiative on the Diamond Court. She broke Zheng in the third game of the opening set and held her nerve under pressure to move ahead 3-1. Zheng hit back with aggressive shot-making to level at 3-3, but another lapse in the seventh game saw the Chinese star fall behind again. Serving for the set at 5-4, Noskova closed it out with a big first serve for 6-4.20岁的诺斯科娃在钻石球场早早掌控了比赛主动权。首盘第三局，她成功破掉郑钦文的发球局，顶住压力将比分改写为3-1。随后郑钦文凭借凌厉的进攻反击，将比分追至3-3平，但在第七局中出现失误，再次陷入落后局面。当诺斯科娃以5-4的比分拿到首盘发球胜盘局时，她凭借一记强势的一发成功保发，以6-4拿下首盘。The world No.9 responded strongly in the second set. At 2-2, Zheng stepped up her attack and broke for a 4-2 lead. Backed by a roaring home crowd, Zheng consolidated and then sealed the set 6-3 with a love hold, highlighted by a booming ace.世界排名第九的郑钦文在第二盘发起强势反击。当比分战至2-2平时，郑钦文加大进攻力度，成功破发后以4-2领先。在主场观众的热烈欢呼声中，郑钦文巩固了领先优势，最终以一局未失的表现以6-3拿下第二盘。However, the deciding set swung abruptly against her. Zheng dropped serve in the second game with a flurry of unforced errors, and soon found herself trailing 3-0. After receiving a brief medical consultation courtside, the 22-year-old signaled she could no longer continue, bringing the contest to a premature end.然而，决胜盘的局势却突然对郑钦文不利。第二局，她因多次非受迫性失误丢掉发球局，很快便以0-3落后。在场地边接受简短的医疗咨询后，这位22岁的中国选手示意无法继续比赛，这场较量就此提前结束。"Obviously, this is not the way you want to finish a match," said the Czech in her on-court interview. "I just wish Qinwen a speedy recovery. It's annoying to come back and deal with injuries, but I hope she can be back soon."“显然，没有人希望以这样的方式结束比赛，”诺斯科娃在赛后场上采访中表示，“我只希望钦文能早日康复。伤愈复出后还要应对伤病问题确实很令人困扰，但我期待她能尽快回归赛场。”Noskova, who had ousted another Chinese player, Wang Xiyu, in the previous round, advanced to the last 16 in Beijing for the first time.在此前的第二轮比赛中，诺斯科娃已淘汰另一位中国选手王曦雨。此次晋级中国网球公开赛16强，也是她职业生涯首次在该项赛事中闯入这一轮次。"Two years ago I had to retire here myself. So coming back now and making new memories, reaching the fourth round, is definitely a big plus for me," the world No.27 said.“两年前，我曾在这里（因伤）退赛。如今重返赛场，创造新的记忆，还打进了第四轮，这对我来说绝对是一大突破。”这位世界排名第27位的选手说道。Noskova will next face Russia's Anastasia Potapova for a place in the quarterfinals.接下来，诺斯科娃将对阵俄罗斯选手阿纳斯塔西娅・波塔波娃，争夺一个八强席位。For Zheng, it was her third appearance at the China Open. After losing to Elena Rybakina in the first round in 2023, she reached the semifinals last year before falling to Karolina Muchova.这是郑钦文第三次参加中国网球公开赛。2023年，她在首轮不敌埃琳娜・莱巴金娜；去年，她一路晋级至半决赛，最终负于卡洛琳娜・穆霍娃；如今则止步今年的第三轮。After a stellar 2024 season highlighted by her Olympic gold medal and a runner-up finish at the WTA Finals, Zheng's 2025 campaign has been full of ups and downs. She lost in the second round at the Australian Open, reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros, and suffered an early exit at Wimbledon before the surgery.2024赛季，郑钦文表现出色，不仅夺得奥运会金牌，还在WTA年终总决赛中获得亚军。然而进入2025赛季，她的状态起伏不定：澳大利亚网球公开赛止步第二轮，法国网球公开赛闯入八强，温布尔登网球锦标赛则早早出局，随后便接受了手术。consolidatedv.巩固；加强/kənˈsɒlɪdeɪtɪd/courtsiden（球场的）场边，边线区域/ˈkɔːtsaɪd/retirev.中途退出/rɪˈtaɪə(r)/

China's parcel delivery sector has handled over 140 billion shipments so far this year, averaging more than 530 million parcels per day, according to the State Post Bureau of China.国家邮政局数据显示，截至目前，今年中国快递业务量已超过1400亿件，日均处理量超5.3亿件。Liao Jinrong, deputy director of the bureau, noted that holiday deliveries carry both goods and family warmth. He said that officials expect a slight dip during the upcoming eight-day Mid-Autumn and National Day holidays from Wednesday to Oct 8 before volumes return to normal.国家邮政局副局长廖进荣指出，节日快递包裹承载的不仅是商品，更传递着家庭温情。他表示，预计在9月下旬至10月8日的中秋、国庆八天长假期间，快递业务量将出现小幅回落，假期后业务量将逐步恢复至正常水平。Since September, daily volumes have risen to 557 million on average, with single-day peaks exceeding 600 million.自9月份以来，全国快递日均业务量已攀升至5.57亿件，部分单日峰值更是突破6亿件。To ensure smooth operations, officials are focusing on capacity management, service quality, safety, and protection of delivery workers' rights. Major distribution centers and trunk lines are being monitored, complaint channels remain open 24/7, safety inspections are strengthened, and companies are urged to arrange rest and welfare for on-duty staff.为保障快递行业平稳运行，相关部门正重点抓好运力调配、服务质量、安全监管及快递员权益保障等工作。目前，主要分拨中心与干线运输线路均处于实时监测状态，投诉受理渠道保持24小时畅通，安全检查力度持续加大，同时督促快递企业合理安排在岗人员休息时间并落实各项福利保障。shipmentsn.运输量；货运量/ˈʃɪpmənts/

Late at night, a young professional, worn out after several days of overtime, felt a sudden pang in her stomach. Scanning her medicine cabinet, she realized her pills had expired. Desperate, she picked up her phone. Within minutes, she found what she needed on a delivery app, discovered a 24-hour smart pharmacy, and even added a warm bowl of millet porridge and some steamed buns to her order. Less than 30 minutes later, the medicine and food arrived, taking care of both her hunger and pain. "More thoughtful than my boyfriend," she thought.深夜，一位年轻职场人连续加班多日后，突然感到胃部一阵绞痛。她查看药柜，发现常备药已经过期。情急之下，她拿起手机，几分钟内就在外卖平台上找到了需要的药品，还发现了一家24小时智能药房，顺便加购了一碗热小米粥和几个包子。不到30分钟，药品和食物就送达了，既缓解了饥饿，也减轻了疼痛。她心想：“比男朋友还贴心。”In another place, a mother preparing for a family feast faced a minor crisis: key condiments like soy sauce and black vinegar were missing from her online order. The nearest supermarket was far, crowded and inconvenient. With a mix of frustration and hope, she tried a flash-sale app. Within minutes, she found the missing items as well as attractive discounts, and added yogurt and nuts for her children to the order. Fifteen minutes later, a man knocked on the door, and delivered the items at prices lower than the supermarket and with far less hassle. The family feast went on without a hitch.在另一个场景中，一位母亲正在筹备家庭聚餐，却遇到了一个小麻烦：网购的订单里漏了酱油、陈醋等关键调味品。最近的超市距离远、人又多，十分不便。她带着一丝无奈和期待，尝试打开一款闪购APP。几分钟内，她不仅找到了短缺的调味品，还发现了优惠活动，于是又给孩子加购了酸奶和坚果。15分钟后，敲门声响起，商品送达，价格比超市还低，过程也省心不少。家庭聚餐得以顺利进行。In a county home, a young man heard that an old friend was passing through and would change trains at the local railway station in an hour. He wanted to gift a taste of home to his friend, but most stores were closed for the weekend. Then he remembered the local supermarket had partnered with an instant retail platform. Immediately, he ordered a gift set of local pastries and a new but popular tea drink, adding a note: "Please deliver quickly—urgent gift." About 25 minutes later, the package arrived. He met his friend at the station and gifted him a "piece of home"—a small but valuable gesture.在一个县城里，一位年轻人得知老友途经此地，一小时后将在当地火车站换乘。他想给老友带一份家乡味道当礼物，但周末多数店铺都关门了。这时他想起，当地超市与一家即时零售平台有合作。他立刻下单了一套本地糕点礼盒和一款新款热门茶饮，并备注“急需送礼，请尽快送达”。约25分钟后，包裹送到了。他到车站见到老友，送上这份“家乡味”——虽不起眼，却情谊深厚。These stories illustrate a larger shift reshaping China's consumer market: instant consumption. Defined by online ordering and immediate offline delivery, it is changing shopping habits and driving growth. During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), instant consumption leapt forward, with improved infrastructure, richer consumption scenarios, and rapidly growing market scale, becoming a key driver of consumption upgrading and domestic growth.这些故事背后，折射出中国消费市场正在发生的深刻变革——即时消费。这种以“线上下单、线下即时送达”为核心的消费模式，正改变着人们的购物习惯，拉动经济增长。“十四五”时期（2021-2025年），即时消费凭借基础设施完善、消费场景丰富、市场规模快速扩大等优势实现跨越式发展，成为推动消费升级和内需增长的重要引擎。According to the China Chain Store and Franchise Association, the country's instant retail market is expected to exceed 1.4 trillion yuan ($196.3 billion) in 2025, with a projected five-year compound annual growth rate of 25 percent—a major driver of consumer vitality.中国连锁经营协会数据显示，2025年中国即时零售市场规模预计将突破1.4万亿元（约合1963亿美元），五年复合年均增长率预计达25%，成为激发消费活力的重要力量。The magic of instant consumption lies in turning fleeting, fragmented or urgent needs into actual purchases. "Want it now" becomes "get it now"; "might need it" turns into a confirmed order. By meeting immediate needs, extending shopping hours, and reaching more places, instant consumption generates new demand and reshapes both business and consumer behavior.即时消费的魅力，在于能将转瞬即逝、零散细碎或紧急迫切的需求转化为实际消费。“现在想要”变成“现在得到”，“可能需要”变成“确定下单”。通过满足即时需求、延长购物时间、拓展服务范围，即时消费不断创造新需求，重塑商家经营模式与消费者行为习惯。Time has become an even more precious commodity in busy cities. Whether it's water, a meal, medication or office supplies, instant delivery has brought down waiting time to minutes, thus reducing mental strain and freeing up hours. Beyond emergencies, it changes expectations: instant service is now standard, not a perk. Small, frequent demands—an umbrella during sudden rain, late-night snacks while working overtime—are now easily met, turning previously latent needs into real consumption.在快节奏的城市生活中，时间愈发珍贵。无论是饮用水、餐食、药品还是办公用品，即时配送将等待时间缩短至分钟级，不仅减轻了人们的心理压力，还节省了大量时间。除了应对紧急情况，即时消费还改变了人们的预期：即时服务已从“额外福利”变为“标配”。突发降雨时需要的雨伞、加班时想吃的夜宵等高频小额需求，如今都能轻松满足，原本潜在的需求转化为了实际消费。Instant consumption is also breaking the traditional boundaries of retail hours. Convenience stores and e-commerce offer 24-hour options, but instant retail provides true round-the-clock response. Workers on the nightshift, students and spontaneous shoppers can get what they want at hours when brick-and-mortar stores are closed, creating a new consumption pattern: midnight snacks, emergency hygiene products, even replacement phone chargers.即时消费还打破了传统零售的时间限制。便利店和电商虽提供24小时服务，但即时零售实现了真正的“全天候响应”。夜班工作者、学生以及临时有购物需求的人，即便在实体店铺关门时段，也能买到所需商品，催生了夜宵、应急卫生用品、手机充电器替换等新消费场景。Consumers no longer need to travel to a store; goods come to them. Urban centers, residential areas, offices and even underserved outskirts enjoy the same access. Rain or shine, umbrellas or groceries are all delivered to your doorstep. Elderly residents in remote areas can now easily get daily necessities. By removing the barriers of distance, instant consumption has made shopping more inclusive and unlocked untapped demand.消费者无需再前往店铺，商品会主动“送上门”。无论是城市中心、居民区、办公区，还是服务相对薄弱的郊区，都能享受同等便捷的服务。无论晴雨，雨伞或生鲜食材都能送达家门口；偏远地区的老年人也能轻松买到日常生活用品。通过打破距离壁垒，即时消费让购物更具包容性，释放了此前未被挖掘的需求。Digital technology is powering all this. Big data, AI and recommendation algorithms allow platforms to anticipate needs, adjust inventory and optimize delivery in real time. While hot drinks and hotpot appear on your app when temperatures suddenly drop, the right promotions pop up during holidays. Even location or weather data inform personalized suggestions. This precision doesn't just improve efficiency, it also awakens latent needs, turning spontaneous ideas into confirmed purchases and continuously creating new demand.这一切的背后，是数字技术的支撑。大数据、人工智能（AI）和推荐算法让平台能够预判需求、实时调整库存并优化配送路线：气温骤降时，APP首页会推送热饮、火锅；节假日期间，精准的促销活动主动弹窗；地理位置、天气情况等数据还能提供个性化推荐。这种精准化服务不仅提升了效率，更唤醒了潜在需求，让“突然想买”变成“确定下单”，持续创造新的消费增长点。During the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), instant consumption is poised to reach wider areas and accelerate innovation. As the internet of things and autonomous-driving technologies mature, drone and driverless-vehicle deliveries are likely to scale up, reducing costs and shrinking response time. Service offerings will expand beyond physical goods to include instant medical consultations, home nursing and emergency repairs.“十五五”时期（2026-2030年），即时消费将向更广泛领域延伸，创新步伐也将加快。随着物联网、自动驾驶技术的成熟，无人机、无人车配送有望规模化应用，进一步降低成本、缩短响应时间；服务范围将从实物商品拓展至即时医疗咨询、居家护理、紧急维修等领域。Anchored by green, low-carbon priorities, the sector will increasingly adopt eco-friendly packaging, route optimization and resource conservation, laying the groundwork for high-quality, sustainable growth. As digital rural infrastructure advances, instant service networks will extend into the countryside, better meeting rural residents' immediate but diverse needs, and adding to the momentum of rural vitalization.以绿色低碳为导向，即时消费行业将更多采用环保包装、优化配送路线、节约资源，为高质量可持续发展奠定基础。随着农村数字基础设施的完善，即时服务网络将向农村延伸，更好满足农村居民多样化的即时需求，为乡村振兴注入新动力。The social and economic benefits are clear. Instant consumption improves distribution efficiency, boosts fragmented and situational demand, accelerates retail digitalization, and supports local supply chains, logistics and delivery employment. Beyond economics, it enriches daily life, boosts urban resilience, and plays a key role in emergency support and care for special people. Instant consumption has become a vital part of modern urban life, illustrating how China's economic development is meeting the Chinese people's aspirations for a better life.即时消费的经济社会效益显而易见：它提升了流通效率，激活了碎片化、场景化需求，加速了零售业数字化转型，还带动了本地供应链、物流及配送行业就业。除经济层面外，它丰富了日常生活，增强了城市韧性，在应急保障、特殊群体关怀等方面也发挥着重要作用。如今，即时消费已成为现代城市生活的重要组成部分，印证着中国经济发展正不断满足人民对美好生活的向往。instant consumptionn.即时消费 /ˈɪnstənt kənˈsʌmpʃn/instant retail marketn.即时零售市场/ˈɪnstənt ˈriːteɪl ˈmɑːkɪt/

UNESCO has designated 26 new biosphere reserves in 21 countries, including two in China, bringing the world network of biosphere reserves to 785 sites across 142 countries, the organization announced Saturday.联合国教科文组织于周六宣布，在21个国家新指定26处生物圈保护区，其中包括中国的两处。至此，全球生物圈保护区网络已覆盖142个国家，共计785处保护区。The new Chinese sites are the Daqingshan Biosphere Reserve in Inner Mongolia autonomous region and the Zhouzhi Biosphere Reserve in Shanxi province.中国此次新增的两处生物圈保护区分别是内蒙古自治区的大青山生物圈保护区和陕西省的周至生物圈保护区。Covering nearly 3,900 square km in the central Yinshan Mountains, Daqingshan is the richest biodiversity hotspot in the region. The reserve is home to nearly 1,200 higher plant species, 300 vertebrate species, and 1,800 arthropod species.大青山生物圈保护区位于阴山山脉中段，总面积近3900平方公里，是该区域生物多样性最丰富的热点地区。据统计，保护区内分布有高等植物近1200种、脊椎动物300种以及节肢动物1800种。Zhouzhi Biosphere Reserve, spanning 690 square km on both the northern and southern slopes of the Qinling Range, is 96 percent forested and rises to 2,904 meters above sea level. Its striking vertical vegetation zones shelter more than 3,630 species of wild flora and fauna, including the Qinling Panda, Golden Snub-nosed Monkey, and Golden Takin.周至生物圈保护区地处秦岭山脉南北两坡，总面积690平方公里，森林覆盖率高达96%，最高海拔达2904米。保护区内显著的垂直植被带，为超过3630种野生动植物提供了栖息环境，其中包括秦岭大熊猫、川金丝猴和金毛扭角羚等珍稀物种。Among the countries gaining new designations, Angola, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Iceland, Oman and Tajikistan each received their first biosphere reserve. Sao Tome and Principe became the first nation to have its entire territory recognized as a biosphere reserve.在此次新增保护区的国家中，安哥拉、吉布提、赤道几内亚、冰岛、阿曼和塔吉克斯坦均为首次拥有本国的生物圈保护区。圣多美和普林西比则成为首个全境被认定为生物圈保护区的国家。UNESCO describes biosphere reserves as "learning places for sustainable development" that integrate biodiversity conservation with sustainable use of ecosystems.联合国教科文组织将生物圈保护区定义为“可持续发展的学习之地”，其核心功能是实现生物多样性保护与生态系统可持续利用的有机结合。autonomousadj.自治的；自主的；有自治权的/ɔːˈtɒnəməs/arthropodn.节肢动物/ˈɑːθrəpɒd/