GDP China's GDP grew slightly more than 7 percent in 1999, thanks only to the government's ongoing¹ stimulus² program. With other Asian countries recovering, China's probable WTO accession this year, and a new drive to boost the private sector³, however, both the Chinese government and outside analysts⁵ predict slightly stronger growth-around 7.5 percent-in 2000.

    Investment Investment in fixed⁶ assets rose 7.8 percent in 1999, and is expected to increase by another 7.8 percent in 2000. Much of the investment came from the government's stimulus plan.

    Prices Consumer and retail⁷ prices fell throughout 1999. Overcapacity in many industries was chiefly responsible for the 27-month deflation, but slack demand caused by consumer worry about job security and education and health costs also played a role. Many economists⁸ believe that the worst is past, and that deflation will wane⁹ in 2000.

 

performance n.something performed; an accomplishment完成的事；成就

GDP:gross domestic product国内生产总值

thanks (to) n.（与to连用） 由于；多亏

  例：It was thanks to John that we won the game.

      多亏约翰，我们才赢了这场比赛。

ongoing stimulus program持续不断的刺激计划（措施）

ongoing adj.currently taking place进行中的：现在正在发生的

stimulus n.促进因素, 刺激

program n.程序, 纲要, 计划

WTO:world trade organization世界贸易组织

accession n.access; admittance进入；接收

drive n.energy, push, or aggressiveness干劲、冲动或攻击性

boost vt.to assist in further development or progress刺激增长：辅助长远的发展和进步

  例：a bill intended to boost local charities.

      一项意在刺激地方慈善事业增长的议案

private sector:non-state sector非国有部门，私营部门

analyst⁴ n.分析家

predict vt.to state, tell about, or make known in advance, especially on the basis of special knowledge预测，预知，预告

investment n.投资

fixed assets固定资产（如厂房、机器设备等）

retail price零售价格

overcapacity n.too great a capacity for production of commodities or delivery of services in relation to actual need生产能力过剩：与实际需要相比，过大的生产工业商品能力或过多的服务

    例：the problem of overcapacity in many large industries.

      许多大型工业存在着生产能力过剩的问题

deflation n.[Economics] a persistent¹¹ decrease in the level of consumer prices or a persistent increase in the purchasing power of money because of a reduction in available currency and credit【经济学】 通货紧缩：由于可获得货币和信贷的减少，导致消费品价格水平的持续下降或货币购买力的持续提高

slack demand需求不旺盛

slack a.lacking in activity; not busy清淡的：缺少活力的；不忙碌的

  例：a slack season for the travel business.

      旅游业的淡季

job security就业保障

security n.安全；保障

wane vi.亏缺, 衰落

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