CCTV9英语新闻：中国老百姓对延长退休的反应

The talk of a longer working life is already causing concern for many. Our reporter Su Yuting spoke¹ to people on the streets of Beijing, to hear their reactions.

A delayed retirement² will eventually affect all people in China, whether young or old, male or female. Chinese people are enjoying an increased life expectancy³, and many will be able to work for longer. But will they welcome the opportunity to?

"I think I can still make a contribution to the country. When I retired⁴ at the age of 55, I thought it was too early. So I agree with raising the retirement age."

"We city gardeners work outside all our lives and our health is not very good. So we don’t want to push back our retirement."

"Workers in the manufacturing industries do not want the retirement age to be raised, because their work is heavy and their income is low."

Reporter: "The decision to extend the retirement age is far from having unanimous backing. Apart from civil servants, many people have expressed little enthusiasm at the prospect⁵ of working longer. Young graduates entering the workforce⁶ even fear rasing the retirement age could limit their employment opportunities."

"I’m not quite in favour of raising the retirement age, as it will be more difficult for us to find a job or to get promoted, if the older workers are still occupying the position."

"I oppose this kind of policy. I think the younger generation is the fresh blood society needs, and they have greater potential to make more contributions than the elderly."

Different people have different needs. Experts say although it’s hard to find consensus⁷, a balanced solutions should be worked out on the interest of different people.

"We don’t need to have the same retirement age for every people. That’s the problem, that’s why lots of people have opposed this policy. Because we didn’t consider their needs and their situation, if the government can issue the policy dealing⁸ with different people. That’s would be better for the people and better for the country." Professor Qiao Xiaochun from Peking University’s Institute of Population Research said.

A blanket solution may not be the answer to solve the ageing problem and pension shortage. Experts say it’s necessary to balance the need of the country and need of the people, and for the government to take into account the people’s core interests.

1 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

2 retirement   

n.退休，退职

参考例句：

• She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
• I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。

3 expectancy   

n.期望，预期，（根据概率统计求得）预期数额

参考例句：

• Japanese people have a very high life expectancy.日本人的平均寿命非常长。
• The atomosphere of tense expectancy sobered everyone.这种期望的紧张气氛使每个人变得严肃起来。

4 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

5 prospect   

n.前景，前途；景色，视野

参考例句：

• This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。
• The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。

6 workforce   

n.劳动大军，劳动力

参考例句：

• A large part of the workforce is employed in agriculture.劳动人口中一大部分受雇于农业。
• A quarter of the local workforce is unemployed.本地劳动力中有四分之一失业。

7 consensus   

n.(意见等的)一致，一致同意，共识

参考例句：

• Can we reach a consensus on this issue?我们能在这个问题上取得一致意见吗？
• What is the consensus of opinion at the afternoon meeting?下午会议上一致的意见是什么？

8 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。