Students’ stories of progress

Deng Zimeng, 16, Sichuan
邓子萌，16岁，来自四川

From the Forbidden City to the Great Wall, Chinese people have always been known for their building skills and wisdom. The world’s longest cross-sea bridge – the 55-km-long Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) – opened on Oct 24 last year. The Guardian described it as one of the “seven wonders of the modern world”.
从故宫到长城，中华民族的建筑和智慧向来举世闻名。2018年10月24日，世界上最长的跨海大桥 —— 全长55公里的港珠澳大桥正式通车。《卫报》称其为“现代世界的七大奇迹”之一。

In fact, behind every feat of “super engineering” is “super innovation”. The opening of the HZMB is not only a milestone for engineering but also a demonstration to the world of the crafting spirit of Chinese people.
事实上，每项“超级工程”所取得的成就背后都是“超级创新”。港珠澳大桥的正式通车不光是工程设计上的一座里程碑，更向世界展现了中国人民的匠心精神。

On this special anniversary of our modern country’s founding, the great revival of the motherland has inspired us to study harder.
在我们的现代化国家迎来华诞之际，祖国的伟大复兴激励我们努力学习。

Wu Yutong, 16, Zhejiang
吴与同，16岁，来自浙江

The short 16 years of my life have already seen transformative changes, as China has become the world’s second-largest economy. But for me, the most drastic change has been increased public awareness for environmental protection. Since 2014, when Premier Li Keqiang announced a campaign against pollution, many officials have been penalized for environmental violations.
随着中国成为全球第二大经济体，我人生中短短的16年已经见证了一系列翻天覆地的变化。但于我而言，最大的变化是公众环保意识的不断增加。2014年，李克强总理宣布将大力治理污染，一些官员因环境违规受罚。

Early this year, Shanghai joined other cities in enforcing strict regulations on waste management, making garbage classification compulsory. Also tree planting campaigns have been launched to address soil erosion, air pollution and climate change. At every level, we are finally getting serious about the environment. I’m so happy to see this change because it means a greener future for the country.
今年早些时候，上海等城市在废弃物处理方面实施了严格的规定，垃圾分类进入强制时代。为应对土壤侵蚀、空气污染以及气候变化等问题，我国还开展了一系列植树造林活动。我们最终在各个层面上都对环境问题严肃重视。我很欣喜能够看到这种变化，因为这意味着我们的国家将拥有一个更加绿色环保的未来。

Liang Shizheng, 16, Zhejiang
梁师正，16岁，来自浙江

Talking about the changes of our great motherland, many would point to trains or our many newly built cities. However, I think our widespread mobile payment system is surely the most remarkable and revolutionary modern development.
谈及我们伟大祖国的变化，许多人都会提到铁路或者是众多新建的城市。但我认为，广泛使用的移动支付无疑是最显著、最具革新性的现代发展成就。

This incredibly convenient way of paying for goods and services has changed the way of doing business, and the innovation behind it empowers millions of young people and enables them to embrace challenges and changes. China is such a great place that the changes taking place in dribs and drabs around us will always inspire the coming generations to realize their dreams.
这种支付商品和服务的便捷方式改变了商业行为，其背后的创新也使数百万年轻人迎接挑战和变化。中国的伟大之处在于，我们身边所发生的点滴变化，都激励着未来几代人实现各自的理想。

Gao Yuxiang, 17, Shandong
高宇翔，17岁，来自山东

As a Chinese student, I rejoice at our remarkable achievements. Chinese STEM education has led to some amazing advances in computing and aerospace technology.
作为一名中国学生，我为我们所取得的非凡成就而欣喜。中国的科学、技术、工程和数学教育令我国在计算机和航天技术方面取得了令人惊叹的进步。

For example, in August 2016, China launched the world’s first quantum communications satellite. It was a major step in the country’s bid to take the lead in information transmissions. Perhaps more impressive, Chang’e 4, a robotic spacecraft, makes me proud to know that China is the first nation to reach the moon’s far side.
比如，2016年8月，中国发射了全球首颗量子通信卫星。这是我国努力实现领跑信息传输技术所迈出的一大步。或许更令人印象深刻的是嫦娥四号探测器，中国是首个登陆月球背面的国家，这点令我引以为傲。

We have also overcome the difficulties of the past. Chinese tech giant Huawei launched its own indigenous computer chip, the Kirin mobile chip, to secure our nation’s digital independence.
我们也克服了过去的种种困难。中国科技巨头华为发布了国产计算机芯片和麒麟手机芯片，从而成为我国数码技术独立自主研发的保证。

I am so proud of our nation’s honorable progress.
我为祖国取得的伟大成就感到自豪。

以上文章内容选自《21世纪学生英文报高中版》，详情请见《21世纪学生英文报高中版》高三690期