As China is rising as a political and economic world power, thanks to its three-decade reform and opening up, more and more people in overseas countries start to learn Chinese and turn to a Confucius Institute in their own countries as their first choice learning Chinese language and Chinese culture.// During the learning process, the learners concurrently develop their interest in this ancient land, whose civilization is so vastly different from theirs. And the learners have opportunities to learn about Chinese philosophy, art, architecture, medicine and catering culture and experience first-hand the splendors of this venerable civilization.// As the second culture, Chinese culture has enriched the life and world outlook of the learners. This trend, so to speak, is gathering momentum and is there to stay. Apart from their love for Chinese cuisine, more and more American learners of Chinese language are turning to Chinese acupuncture ,herbal medicines, martial arts.// They are also interested in Kongfu films,fashions and crafts. Seemingly outlandish words such as dim sum, ginseng,gingko, oolong cha have crept into their everyday language. The latest Chinese cultural icons to make its impact there are Taoism, and ancient school of thought, and fengshui, an ancient art of placement.//
14、上海菜系是中国最年轻的地方菜系，通常被成为"本帮菜"，有着400多年的历史。同中国其他菜系一样，"本帮菜"具有"色，香，味"三大要素。//上海菜的特点是注重调料的使用，食物的质地和菜的原汁原味。其中最著名的有特色点心"南翔小笼"和特色菜"松鼠鲑鱼"。//"南翔小笼"是猪肉馅，个小味美，皮薄汁醇。"松鼠鲑鱼"色泽黄亮，形如松鼠，外皮脆而内肉嫩，汤汁酸甜适口。//在品尝过"松鼠鲑鱼"之后，我们常常惊讶于"松鼠"的形状，觉得在三大评价标准上在添加"形"这个标准才更合适。//
Shanghai cuisine , usually called Benbang cuisine, is the youngest among themajor regional cuisines in China,with a history of more than 400 years. Like all other Chinese regional cuisines,Benbang cuisines takes "color, aroma and taste" as its essential quality elements.//Shanghai cuisine emphasizes in particular the expert use of seasonings, the selection of raw materials with quality texture, and original flavors. Shanghai cuisine is famous for a special snack known as Nanxiang Steamed Meat Dumplings and a special dish called "Squirrel-Shaped Mandarin Fish".//Nanxiang Steamed Meat Dumplings are small in size, with thin and translucent wrappers, filled inside with ground pork and rich tasty soup. Squirrel-Shaped Mandarin Fish is yellow-colored and squirrel-shaped, with a crispy skin and tender meat, all covered with a sweet and sour source.//After tasting Squirrel-Shaped Mandarin Fish, we are always amazed by the squirrel shape and think that it is more appropriate to plus "appearance" as the fourth element。
15、美国人强调效率、竞争和独创性，而中国人则将严谨规划放在首位，鼓励团队成员之间的密切合作和无私奉献。//在美国学校，讨论享有至高无上的地位，讨论是课堂教学的主旋律;而中国教师喜欢讲课，喜欢考试，编写千篇一律的标准教案，培养整齐划一的高材生。//美国人的政治观，经济观以及社会观的核心是个人道德自治观。中国传统的思想体系是以儒家学说为基础的，这种思想强调整体和谐。//现在，中美联系比以往更加紧密，中国人学英语，玩保龄球，吃肯德基，美国人学汉语，练功夫，吃北京烤鸭，《泰坦尼克》驶进中国，《牡丹亭》也在百老汇上演。//
American people emphasize efficiency,competition and originality while Chinese people give priority to careful planning and encourage close cooperation and altruistic dedication among team members.//In American schools, discussion is given top priority while Chinese teachers like to lecture in class,and a lot of them are obsessed with examinations. They write consistent and standardized teaching plans, and are happy with bringing up identical and standardized talents.//Central to American political, economic and social thought is the concept of individual moral autonomy. Traditional Chinese philosophical systems are based on Confucianism,which sings high praises for communal harmony.//Nowadays, the relation of China and America become closer than ever. Chinese learn English, play bowling, enjoy KFC, while Americans learn Chinese, exercise Kung Fu, like Peking Duck. And Titanic sailed into China, while The Peony Pavilion has been performed on Broadway.//
16、武术在我国源远流长，是中华民族传统文化的瑰宝。我们知道，一个民族的优秀文化遗产，不仅仅属于一个民族，它会逐渐传播到世界而成为人类的共同财富。// 为了更好的推广武术运动，使其与奥运项目接轨，中国武协和国际武联做了大量的艰苦卓绝的工作。现在武术运动已被列为一种具有与保龄球运动和国际标准舞同等地位的奥运表演项目。//武术的蓬勃发展，除得益于其项目本身的吸引力之外，早期移居海外的一代武术大师功不可没。//老一代武术家在海外播种下了武术的种子，使武术这门既可以自卫又可以健身的运动很快就在新的土地上扎下了根。今天高超的武术大师已遍布世界各地，武术爱好者也与日俱增。//
Wushu, or Chinese martial art, can be traced back to ancient times. It is a gem of Chinese traditional culture. As we all know, the fine culture of a nation doesn' t belong to the nation alone and it will be spread to the rest of the world and shared by all humanity.// The Chinese Wushu Association and International Wushu Federation (IWUF) have been working very hard to popularize wushu and make the Chinese martial art closer to the Olympic Movement. Wushu was accepted to join bowling and international standard dance as an Olympic demonstration event.// The booming of wushu is attributed not only to the attractiveness of the sport but also to emigrant Chinese wushu masters over the years.// Martial artists of the older generations have sown wushu seeds in foreign countries. Weshu, which can be used as self-defense and can keep practitioners fit and strong, soon became popular on new lands. Today superb wushu masters are active all over the world, and amateurs are on the increase with each passing day。
