China will continue to swim with tide of times

 　　BEIJING, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- The rise of China is the definitive¹ economic and political story of the time, yet the 1911 Revolution should not be overlooked, as it was the catalyst² that enabled the nation to terminate more than 2,000 years of imperial rule -- one of the longest periods of autocratic rule in the world.

　　China will commemorate³ the centennial anniversary of the 1911 Revolution, or Xinhai Revolution, with a grand ceremony on Sunday. The legacies⁴ of the revolution are set to inspire the world's most populous⁵ country with an ancient civilization to continue swimming with the tide of the times, marching on the road to become an empowered modern nation.

　　The 1911 Revolution, which began on October 10, 1911, with an armed uprising, ended the imperial rule established by Emperor Qinshihuang in B.C.221 by toppling the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and resulting in a republican government, the first in Asia.

　　Behind the revolution was a burgeoning⁶ democratic movement and the rising influence of Western civilization.

　　The revolution not only rid Chinese men of humiliating ponytails and women of the excruciatingly painful foot-binding, but also removed the people's blind faith in the emperor, as well as the fear of foreign powers. The event has since been emancipating⁷ people's minds from thousands of years of oppression and self-enclosure.

　　China has become a rising power in sharp contrast to 100 years ago when every country could bully⁸ it.

　　Over the past century, the nation united to fight for its destiny and independence. From the Opium⁹ War (1840-1842) to the Xinhai Revolution, patriots¹⁰ from all walks of life came together to fight against the imperial autocracy¹¹ and foreign invasion, with the aim of national rejuvenation¹² by building a country that's respected by the world.

　　Rejuvenation is the common will of the civilization that has existed for over 5,000 years, and no one can halt the process.

　　The 1911 Revolution, led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, overthrew¹³ imperial rule and opened the gate for China's modernization¹⁴. Yet the dreams of Sun were not fully¹⁵ accomplished¹⁶, as leaders of the revolution were from the capitalist class and the masses of workers and farmers were not given full play. They still lived in poverty, their democracy and freedom not guaranteed.

　　Ten years after the 1911 Revolution, the Communist Party of China (CPC) was founded. It took the banner from Sun and shouldered the responsibility of rejuvenating¹⁷ the nation.

　　History has proven that only those who fight for the interests of the people can lead the country to success.

　　Looking back at the past 100 years, it is clear that the Chinese nation swam with the tide of the times, moving forward in the right direction of humanity.

　　Dating back thousands of years, China was among the first countries that shifted from a slave society to feudalism and took the lead toward advanced technologies and outstanding institutions and culture.

　　However, imperial China failed to embrace reform while Western countries overthrew feudalism and emancipated²⁰ the productive forces after the Renaissance²¹. The failure of the Middle Kingdom was a result of standing¹⁹ still and refusing to make progress by insisting imperial autocracy.

　　The 1911 Revolution was a positive response from China, a result of the country's pioneers applying lessons learned from the outside world. It was also a move from an agricultural society to an industrial society, from autocracy to democracy, and from the emperor's courtyard to the home of ordinary people.

　　But it failed to establish a modern system to eliminate long-standing malpractices and push forward the country's development. China was mired²² in civil wars and foreign invasions in the first half of the 20th century before the mantle²³ of leadership was handed over to the CPC.

　　Looking to the future, the Chinese people have realized they cannot rest on their achievements. They need to be vigilant²⁴ against unexpected changes and learn from advanced civilizations with open minds. They must exert effort for domestic economic construction rather than seeking world hegemony.

　　The rejuvenation of the Chinese nation will be a long and difficult process, and development still deserves to be a top priority.

　　Although China has become the world's second largest economy, it remains²⁵ a developing country, and its GDP per capita ranks only about 100th in the world. Poverty and backwardness still can bee seen in many parts of the country.

　　And the ancient feudal¹⁸ tradition, including the rule of man in certain areas, is still one of the major obstacles hindering China from realizing its modernization goal.

　　During his speech entitled "The Path to China's Future" at Britain's renowned²⁶ Royal Society in June, Premier²⁷ Wen Jiabao said, "China was long under the influence of feudalism. After the founding of New China, the country went through the turmoil²⁸ of the decade-long Cultural Revolution. Since China opened itself, some new developments and problems have occurred."

　　Promoting democracy, improving the legal system and strengthening effective oversight²⁹ of power remains a long and arduous³⁰ task for the nation.

　　To commemorate the 1911 Revolution, with a keen sense of responsibility and democracy, people will spur social progress. The more the people participate in social management and public affairs, the greater the momentum³¹ there will be to sustain social progress.

　　As for China's development, worldwide observers need to take a more patient and milder attitude.

　　It is better to bear in mind that China feared no difficulties in the history and is pushing forward the reform and opening up with greater resolve.

　　China has conformed with the general situation of the world and the universal values of humanity and is on its way to becoming a modern and progressive country that seeks common development and interests with other countries.

　　One hundred years after the revolution, China is again at a crucial point. The world is undergoing fundamental changes, while scientific and technological³² revolution and economic globalization are progressing every day. With the financial crisis and other problems, the future of the world is uncertain.

　　Only by swimming with the tide of the times can China achieve complete rejuvenation and make greater contributions to humanity.

1 definitive   

adj.确切的，权威性的；最后的，决定性的

参考例句：

• This book is the definitive guide to world cuisine.这本书是世界美食的权威指南。
• No one has come up with a definitive answer as to why this should be so.至于为什么该这样，还没有人给出明确的答复。

2 catalyst   

n.催化剂，造成变化的人或事

参考例句：

• A catalyst is a substance which speeds up a chemical reaction.催化剂是一种能加速化学反应的物质。
• The workers'demand for better conditions was a catalyst for social change.工人们要求改善工作条件促进了社会变革。

3 commemorate   

vt.纪念，庆祝

参考例句：

• This building was built to commemorate the Fire of London.这栋大楼是为纪念“伦敦大火”而兴建的。
• We commemorate the founding of our nation with a public holiday.我们放假一日以庆祝国庆。

4 legacies   

n.遗产( legacy的名词复数 )；遗留之物；遗留问题；后遗症

参考例句：

• Books are the legacies that a great genius leaves to mankind. 书是伟大的天才留给人类的精神财富。 来自辞典例句
• General legacies are subject to the same principles as demonstrative legacies. 一般的遗赠要与指定数目的遗赠遵循同样的原则。 来自辞典例句

5 populous   

adj.人口稠密的，人口众多的

参考例句：

• London is the most populous area of Britain.伦敦是英国人口最稠密的地区。
• China is the most populous developing country in the world.中国是世界上人口最多的发展中国家。

6 burgeoning   

adj.迅速成长的，迅速发展的v.发芽，抽枝( burgeon的现在分词 )；迅速发展；发（芽），抽（枝）

参考例句：

• Our company's business is burgeoning now. 我们公司的业务现在发展很迅速。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• These efforts were insufficient to contain the burgeoning crisis. 这些努力不足以抑制迅速扩散的危机。 来自辞典例句

7 emancipating   

v.解放某人（尤指摆脱政治、法律或社会的束缚）( emancipate的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Innovation requires emancipating our minds, seeking truth from facts and keeping pace with the times. 创新就要不断解放思想、实事求是、与时俱进。 来自汉英非文学 - 十六大报告
• The harmonious society is important content of Marx's mankind emancipating thought. 和谐社会是马克思人类解放思想中的重要内容。 来自互联网

8 bully   

n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮

参考例句：

• A bully is always a coward.暴汉常是懦夫。
• The boy gave the bully a pelt on the back with a pebble.那男孩用石子掷击小流氓的背脊。

9 opium   

n.鸦片；adj.鸦片的

参考例句：

• That man gave her a dose of opium.那男人给了她一剂鸦片。
• Opium is classed under the head of narcotic.鸦片是归入麻醉剂一类的东西。

10 patriots   

爱国者，爱国主义者( patriot的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Abraham Lincoln was a fine type of the American patriots. 亚伯拉罕·林肯是美国爱国者的优秀典型。
• These patriots would fight to death before they surrendered. 这些爱国者宁愿战斗到死，也不愿投降。

11 autocracy   

n.独裁政治，独裁政府

参考例句：

• The revolution caused the overthrow of the autocracy.这场革命导致了独裁政体的结束。
• Many poor countries are abandoning autocracy.很多贫穷国家都在放弃独裁统治。

12 rejuvenation   

n. 复原，再生, 更新, 嫩化, 恢复

参考例句：

• Prolonged starvation and aging might lead to rejuvenation of embryogenic potential. 长期的饥饿和衰老可以导致胚胎发生能力的复壮。
• All this signs rejuvenation of agriculture. 所有这些都预示着农业将复苏。

13 overthrew   

overthrow的过去式

参考例句：

• The people finally rose up and overthrew the reactionary regime. 人们终于起来把反动的政权推翻了。
• They overthrew their King. 他们推翻了国王。

14 modernization   

n.现代化，现代化的事物

参考例句：

• This will help us achieve modernization.这有助于我们实现现代化。
• The Chinese people are sure to realize the modernization of their country.中国人民必将实现国家现代化。

15 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。

16 accomplished   

adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的

参考例句：

• Thanks to your help,we accomplished the task ahead of schedule.亏得你们帮忙,我们才提前完成了任务。
• Removal of excess heat is accomplished by means of a radiator.通过散热器完成多余热量的排出。

17 rejuvenating   

使变得年轻，使恢复活力( rejuvenate的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• The rejuvenating ambience of autumn is immeasurably more ancient than even the calendar. 秋天那让人恢复青春活力的气氛远比历法还要古老。 来自名作英译部分
• Rhoda says that it's embarrassing to be so idolized, but also very sweet and rejuvenating. 罗达说，给人这样过份地崇拜是很发窘的，不过也是愉快惬意使人年轻的。

18 feudal   

adj.封建的，封地的，领地的

参考例句：

• Feudal rulers ruled over the country several thousand years.封建统治者统治这个国家几千年。
• The feudal system lasted for two thousand years in China.封建制度在中国延续了两千年之久。

19 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

20 emancipated   

adj.被解放的，不受约束的v.解放某人（尤指摆脱政治、法律或社会的束缚）( emancipate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Slaves were not emancipated until 1863 in the United States. 美国奴隶直到1863年才获得自由。
• Women are still struggling to be fully emancipated. 妇女仍在为彻底解放而斗争。 来自《简明英汉词典》

21 renaissance   

n.复活，复兴，文艺复兴

参考例句：

• The Renaissance was an epoch of unparalleled cultural achievement.文艺复兴是一个文化上取得空前成就的时代。
• The theme of the conference is renaissance Europe.大会的主题是文艺复兴时期的欧洲。

22 mired   

abbr.microreciprocal degree 迈尔德（色温单位）v.深陷( mire的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The country was mired in recession. 这个国家陷入了经济衰退的困境。
• The most brilliant leadership can be mired in detail. 最有才干的领导也会陷于拘泥琐事的困境中。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

23 mantle   

n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红

参考例句：

• The earth had donned her mantle of brightest green.大地披上了苍翠欲滴的绿色斗篷。
• The mountain was covered with a mantle of snow.山上覆盖着一层雪。

24 vigilant   

adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的

参考例句：

• He has to learn how to remain vigilant through these long nights.他得学会如何在这漫长的黑夜里保持警觉。
• The dog kept a vigilant guard over the house.这只狗警醒地守护着这所房屋。

25 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

26 renowned   

adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的

参考例句：

• He is one of the world's renowned writers.他是世界上知名的作家之一。
• She is renowned for her advocacy of human rights.她以提倡人权而闻名。

27 premier   

adj.首要的；n.总理，首相

参考例句：

• The Irish Premier is paying an official visit to Britain.爱尔兰总理正在对英国进行正式访问。
• He requested that the premier grant him an internview.他要求那位总理接见他一次。

28 turmoil   

n.骚乱，混乱，动乱

参考例句：

• His mind was in such a turmoil that he couldn't get to sleep.内心的纷扰使他无法入睡。
• The robbery put the village in a turmoil.抢劫使全村陷入混乱。

29 oversight   

n.勘漏，失察，疏忽

参考例句：

• I consider this a gross oversight on your part.我把这件事看作是你的一大疏忽。
• Your essay was not marked through an oversight on my part.由于我的疏忽你的文章没有打分。

30 arduous   

adj.艰苦的，费力的，陡峭的

参考例句：

• We must have patience in doing arduous work.我们做艰苦的工作要有耐性。
• The task was more arduous than he had calculated.这项任务比他所估计的要艰巨得多。

31 momentum   

n.动力，冲力，势头；动量

参考例句：

• We exploit the energy and momentum conservation laws in this way.我们就是这样利用能量和动量守恒定律的。
• The law of momentum conservation could supplant Newton's third law.动量守恒定律可以取代牛顿第三定律。

32 technological   

adj.技术的；工艺的

参考例句：

• A successful company must keep up with the pace of technological change.一家成功的公司必须得跟上技术变革的步伐。
• Today,the pace of life is increasing with technological advancements.当今， 随着科技进步，生活节奏不断增快。