News and official language: set phrases, slogans and policy terms
The formulas of Chinese news and government texts, the abbreviations behind policy terms, and what they mean in plain words.
Part of the free C2 Chinese course (about HSK 6 and above). Examples are in Simplified characters, with pinyin only for some new or hard words; press the speaker to hear one with your device's Chinese voice.
A style of its own
Chinese news agencies and government documents use a highly formulaic style, sometimes called 新华体 (Xīnhuá tǐ), after the Xinhua news agency. The same phrases recur, and readers learn to decode them.
| Set phrase | Literal | Plain meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 高度重视 | attach great importance | treat as a priority |
| 取得了显著成效 | achieved remarkable results | the report judges the measure a clear success |
| 进一步加强 | further strengthen | do more of it |
| 稳步推进 | steadily advance | it is under way |
| 双方就…交换了意见 | the two sides exchanged views on… | they talked about it |
| 坚决反对 | firmly oppose | a strong official objection |
- 双方就共同关心的问题交换了意见。The two sides exchanged views on issues of common concern.
- 政府高度重视食品安全问题。The government attaches great importance to food safety.
- 这项改革取得了显著成效。The reform has achieved remarkable results.
- 我们要进一步加强环境保护。We must further strengthen environmental protection.
- 会谈在友好的气氛中进行。The talks were held in a friendly atmosphere.
Reading between the lines
Diplomatic wording is graded. "Friendly" (友好) talks signal goodwill; "frank" (坦率) talks are often read as a sign that the sides disagreed. 交换了意见 says that they talked, not that they agreed.
Abbreviated policy terms
Policy terms compress a whole programme into a few characters, often with a number.
| Term | Stands for |
|---|---|
| 两会 | the annual sessions of the National People's Congress and the CPPCC, every March |
| 改革开放 | reform and opening up, the policy begun in 1978 |
| 一带一路 | the Belt and Road Initiative |
| 双减 | the 2021 policy to reduce school students' homework and off-campus tutoring |
| 碳达峰、碳中和 | peak carbon emissions, carbon neutrality |
| 三农 | agriculture, rural areas and farmers |
- 每年三月召开两会。The Two Sessions are held every March.
- 双减政策旨在减轻学生的作业负担和校外培训负担。The double reduction policy aims to lighten students' homework and off-campus tutoring.
Collocations are fixed: 取得 goes with 成效, 成绩, 进展; 加强 with 管理, 合作; 提高 with 水平, 质量. Swapping them is the classic error.
Common mistakes
加强水平→ 提高水平. 加强 goes with 管理, 合作 or 建设.- Translating 交换了意见 as "swapped opinions": it means they held talks.
我高度重视你的生日。in earnest: official phrases in private life sound pompous. People do it on purpose as a joke.- Reading 两会 as "two meetings" in general: it names the specific annual sessions.
Practice
- 双方就共同关心的问题交换了意见。 In plain words:Options: The two sides talked about issues they both care about. · The two sides swapped opinions and changed their minds. · The two sides signed a full agreement.
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The two sides talked about issues they both care about.
- What are the 两会?Options: The annual sessions of the National People's Congress and the CPPCC. · Any two meetings held on the same day. · A joint conference of two universities.
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The annual sessions of the National People's Congress and the CPPCC.
- 政府_____重视食品安全。
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高度 — 高度重视 is the set phrase; 非常 and 十分 are also correct.
- 这项改革_____了显著成效。Options: 取得 · 进行 · 加强
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取得