“外教社杯”山西省首届英语笔译大赛决赛赛题及参考译文

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Changes to the economic growth model of Shanxi province have hit the coal industry first. The Shanxi coal industry suffers from a number of impediments to development. Industry concentration is low, and there are nearly 10,000 mines, of which 80% are small mines producing less than 300,000 tonnes of coal each year. Industry technological levels are low, with only 12% of mines capable of mechanized mining, and 40% of mines still using backwards, dynamiting methods. Major mining accidents frequently occur, of which accidents in medium and small mines comprise a significant proportion.

As early as 2006, Shanxi proposed a comprehensive change in its growth model in order to resolve the homogenous nature of the industrial structure, as well as its reliance upon heavy and primary industries. Problems with high energy consumption and high pollution were to be resolved, as well as problems with low levels of economic benefit and competitiveness.

Shanxi province paid a price for this. In 2007, the elimination of backwards areas of industry cost 100 billion yuan in GDP - one fifth of 2006 total GDP. This was regarded at the time as a necessary measure, however.

Starting in 2008, Shanxi province began to hasten the process of reorganization of coal resources and their remunerative usage. In April of this year, Shanxi province unveiled the “Shanxi Province Coal Industry Adjustment and Revival Plan”. The plan proposed that within four months, all coal mines with an annual production level of less than 300,000 tonnes be “retired”. The plan also proposes that within two years, the 2598 coal mines which are currently in operation be reduced to 1000 in number. By 2011, the number of coal mines throughout the province will be reduced to 1000, and the annual production volume of individual mines will be greater than 900,000 tonnes. By 2015, the annual production volume of individual mines will be at least 1.2 million tonnes. By 2011, Shanxi province will create 3 large-scale coal mines, capable of producing 100 million tonnes per year, and 4 large-scale coal mines capable of producing 50 million tonnes of coal per year. Large coal mining companies should comprise 75% of total output in the province, and by 2015 comprise 80% of total output.

At present, the over 2000 small coal mines in Shanxi province are all searching for large-scale coal companies to serve as their “new home.” More than 70% of small mines have already signed take-over and restructuring agreements. This is a sign that the “new resources policy” promoted first in the nation by Shanxi province, for the restructuring of resources and the incorporation and restructuring of coal companies, has achieved major results.