News Mash-up: China

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Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. be set to (do something) / bɪ sɛtˌtu / (idiom) – to happen at a certain time
    Example:

    The Golden Week 2022 is set to begin on April 29.


  2. open letter / ˈoʊ pən ˈlɛt ər / (n.) – a letter that’s meant to be read by a lot of people, not just the person it’s written to
    Example:

    The workers published an open letter in the newspaper to demand higher wages.


  3. complicit / kəmˈplɪs ɪt / (adj.) – involved in a crime or illegal activity in some way
    Example:

    Steve did not steal the jewelry, but he was complicit in the theft when he helped the thieves escape.


  4. embolden / ɛmˈboʊl dən / (v.) – to increase someone’s confidence in doing something
    Example:

    Her great improvement from her training emboldened her to finally join the sports competition.


  5. extradition / ˌɛk strəˈdɪʃ ən / (n.) – the act of ordering someone to return for trial to another country where they have been accused of doing a crime
    Example:

    The businessman who hid in the US is awaiting extradition to Australia.


Article

Read the text below.

Human rights groups urge broadcasters to not cover Beijing Winter Olympics


Human rights groups have asked television broadcasters to not cover next year’s Winter Olympics in Beijing. The Winter Games are set to open on Feb. 4.


The human rights groups — representing minorities in China including Uyghurs, Tibetans and Hong Kong residents — signed an open letter. It was sent on Sept. 7 to broadcasters around the world, including NBC.


The U.S. company is paying $7.75 billion (¥852 billion) for the rights to the next six Olympics. Those payments account for an estimated 40% of the total income of the International Olympic Committee. “All of your companies are at serious risk of being complicit in China’s plan to ‘sport wash’ the severe and worsening human rights abuses and embolden the actions of the Chinese authorities,” the open letter reads.


The IOC says it is only a sports body.  (AP)


Huawei exec returns home as Canadians freed


Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou arrived in China after a nearly three-year U.S. extradition fight on Sept. 25, the same day two Canadians detained by Beijing for over 1,000 days returned home.


Meng, the daughter of Huawei Technologies founder Ren Zhengfei, was allowed to go home after reaching an agreement with U.S. prosecutors Sept. 24 to end a bank fraud case against her.


Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were embraced on the tarmac by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after they landed in Calgary. (Reuters)


These articles were provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Human rights groups have asked television broadcasters to not cover next year’s Winter Olympics. What action do you think television broadcasters should do in response to the open letter (ex. ignore the letter, listen to the human rights groups)? Why? Discuss.
  • Why do you think people write open letters? Which do you think is better, an open letter or a private letter? Why? How would you feel if an open letter were addressed to you? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • The two Canadians detained by China were released on the same day that Canada and the US released Meng, leading some people to think that it was a prisoner exchange. In general, do you think it’s fair for countries to release a foreign prisoner in exchange for one detained in another country? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Do you think people should face trial in the country where they committed the crime or in their home country? Why? Discuss.