英语角-圆桌会议 RoundTable - 琼瑶批《宫》抄袭

Topic1 Lanzhou Tapwater SafetySafe tap water was once again running for 2.4 million residents in a Chinese city on Monday, after tests showed benzene levels in the water met national standards after a pollution incident.

This looks like a relief for local residents after month-long complaint of strange smell in water and then reports of excessive benzene. The tap water company claimed that the incident is random. How big of a problem is tap water quality in China?

Topic2 Tightening leash on testing on animalsChina is set to improve the treatment and welfare of animals in its laboratories.

Yue Bingfei, deputy director of the experimental animal division of the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, says that a revised regulation on animal testing is expected to be out within the year.

It's reported that an independent section on laboratory-animal welfare and ethics will be added to beef up the regulation.

Do we need it?

Topic3 Automobile parts too expensiveA report carried out by Insurance Association of China and China Automotive Maintenance and Repair Trade Association indicates that automobile parts' price in China is ridiculously high.

How big of a problem is it?

Topic4 SAPPRFT New RuleIn China, when we turn on our TV during the evening, we can see one TV drama, or even the same episode of the drama, on several channels. However, starting from next year, this won't happen any more, as China's television watchdog is to limit the prime-time airing of a TV series to two satellite channels, down from the previous four.

Is such a limit necessary?

Topic5 Scriptwriter and director Yu Zheng accused of plagiarismTaiwanese scriptwriter Chiung Yao has posted an open letter on Weibo, accusing mainland director Yu Zheng of plagiarism.

Chiung Yao said in the letter posted on the official microblog of another drama series she produces that she decided to break her silence since her copyright has been severely infringed.

Let's first take a listen to parts of the two shows to get a general idea. (clip)What are theaccusations?

Topic6 Overseas students interns in ChinaWith China's development, in recent years, more overseas graduates are working for free here to gain job experience, and they believe thatinterning experience in the world's second-largest economy will boost their competitiveness in the tough global job market.

Is it becoming a trend?