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在今天的Edmonton Journal (Sunday, September 18, 2005)的A17上, 有这样一封读者来信:
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LETTERS
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. B8 b/ V0 M, g5 X9 g' O3 H% O% xMandarin Chinese: the new 2nd language* G9 T: Z7 [5 ]7 ?' W A# ^
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The Edmonton Journal
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Sunday, September 18, 20053 r% i& j- U& p9 P: b
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We are all well aware of the fact that China’s economic growth rate and industrial potential are among the greatest in the world.- V7 G9 }% V1 l; a9 |# U8 O% p+ z
2 I: [4 M( d0 q2 gRecent research has shown that the interdependence between China and Canada has been steadily increasing in recent years. Trade statistics also tells us that China has already become Canada’s second-largest trading partner, after the United States. Last year, Ottawa and Beijing conducted some $30 billion worth of trade.
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8 |6 y( L& S. w0 [$ DIn addition to those trade links, China and Canada have seen rapid progress in the development of bilateral political ties. Chinese President Hu Jintao’s recent four-day state visit to Canada has paved the way for further co-operation between China and Canada in the fields of the economy, science and technology, energy resources, agriculture, the environment and health.
4 `2 N$ _3 g6 j4 B1 u5 J& X( QIn the next 10 to 50 years, as I see it, China will be our market, our trade partner and our competitor.
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One of the most important ways to ensure our children can compete globally is to help them learn a language other than English.6 ]% N. @; `2 b5 X1 ?1 P
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To me, the second language of choice for Alberta children to learn is Mandarin Chinese. I believe that learning Mandarin Chinese will allow our students to learn to communicate with one-quarter of the earth’s population, learn about Chinese culture and literature, and enhance their employment opportunities both at home and abroad.
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XXXX XXXX, Edmonton |
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