英语角-圆桌会议 RoundTable - 北京火车站取消站台票

Topic 1: Beijing on Olympic footing for APECThe 2014 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' meeting will be held in the second half of the year in Huairou district of Beijing. To control the air quality and traffic as a welcome to the APEC leaders, the capital is considering using measures last seen in 2008 for the Summer Olypmics. Some people are calling the "Olympic Mode." What does that mean? What do you think we can expect?

Topic 2: Construction site cameras to monitor pollutionConstruction sites in Beijing will come under closer scrutiny as the municipal government seeks to determine how much they contribute torampant smog.

According to state news agency Xinhua, cameras will be installed to monitor the sites by the end of June and all construction firms must use "fully enclosed" vehicles to carry gravel, sand or soil starting on July 1.

Why these new rules? Do we need them?

Topic 3: Discriminative family planning on second marriage coupleOn Tuesday, a petition signed by almost 4000 families was sent to the central government calling for greater protection of their reproductive rights.

The families, from all over the country, claim that their local governments have not given them approval to have a child because one spouse already has a child from a previous marriage.

What exactly is the problem? Why have these families decided to petition the central government?

Topic 4: E-merchants move into telecommunicationsWithin a couple of days, if you get a call from a number that starts with 170, don't hang up; it's not a prank call.

19 different companies have been granted licenses to be virtual network operators and will begin to provide mobile phone and wireless data services soon.

First, let's take a look at what is happening. What kind of services will these companies be providing? How will they make money?

Topic 5: 1st 24 hour bookstore in BeijingBeijing bookworms now a have reason to celebrate. While many bookstores around the country are closing, Beijing is set to have its very first 24-hour bookstore. On Tuesday, the Sanlian Taofen Bookstore started a ten day trial. If all goes well, they keep doors open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Do you think it's important for Beijing to have a bookstore that never closes?

Topic 6: Beijing Train Stations Cancel Platform TicketTwo out of the four train stations in Beijing have stopped selling platform tickets, with Beijing North the only remaining station in the capital to allow non-passengers onto train platforms.

Before we start saying how stupid this, what exactly is a platform ticket?