英闻天下——31 Property Market Booms at the End of 2012

 　　In contrast to sluggish¹ home sales in many large cities at the beginning of 2012, the final weeks of 2012 seems to be a feast for the property market. In Shanghai and Shenzhen, developers claim that their properties are sold out as soon as the booking period begins. However, some property buyers are suspicious about this.

 

　　According to figures from the National Bureau of Statistics, 53 out of a statistical² pool of 70 major cities in November recorded higher new home prices than a month earlier. This was up from 35 in October.

 

　　But Luo Yinshen, a regional analyst³ with 21st Century Real Property, says the property market is not as flourishing as it seems.

 

　　"Currently, the phenomenon of 'sold-out-in-one-day property' has caused a certain panic among the public. I think it's possibly due to some property developers' deliberately⁴ hoarding⁵ property. The speculation⁶ may continue for a period of time."

 

　　The property market in 2012 experienced a downturn after a series of policy adjustments by the central government to curb⁷ the over-speculation trend.

 

　　Despite a slight rebound⁸ in July, the property market didn't see much of an increase in sales during the traditional golden season in September and October. But prices in general continued to rise.

 

　　Ren Xingzhou, Director of the Market Economy Research Institute of the Development Research Center of the State Council, says several factors are behind the current boom in the property market.

 

　　"On the one hand, after two years' of market adjustments, we have accumulated some rigid⁹ demand. This year, a series of policies was issued to support these demands, such as the lowering of interest rates for consumers who wanted to buy their first home. Now we are seeing the results. On the other hand, the supply of apartment units increased to a certain level at the end of the year. In addition, property developers, especially some big ones, have met their sales goals. That's why they don't need to offer sales promotions¹⁰."

 

　　Still, Luo Yinshen believes the macroeconomic environment will remain tight for the real estate market.

 

　　"Currently, there is no sign of a big policy change. I think the policy will remain tight to curb the market."

 

　　According to a government think tank, housing prices in most Chinese cities will continue to rise in December and into 2013. But the government will maintain its property market controls next year.

 

　　The country's urban population, which outgrew¹¹ that of rural areas for the first time at the end of 2011, is expected to account for 70 percent of the total population by 2030.

 

　　For CRI, I am Li Dong.

1 sluggish   

adj.懒惰的，迟钝的，无精打采的

参考例句：

• This humid heat makes you feel rather sluggish.这种湿热的天气使人感到懒洋洋的。
• Circulation is much more sluggish in the feet than in the hands.脚部的循环比手部的循环缓慢得多。

2 statistical   

adj.统计的，统计学的

参考例句：

• He showed the price fluctuations in a statistical table.他用统计表显示价格的波动。
• They're making detailed statistical analysis.他们正在做具体的统计分析。

3 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

4 deliberately   

adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地

参考例句：

• The girl gave the show away deliberately.女孩故意泄露秘密。
• They deliberately shifted off the argument.他们故意回避这个论点。

5 hoarding   

n.贮藏；积蓄；临时围墙；囤积v.积蓄并储藏（某物）( hoard的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• After the war, they were shot for hoarding. 战后他们因囤积而被枪决。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Actually he had two unused ones which he was hoarding up. 其实他还藏了两片没有用呢。 来自英汉文学

6 speculation   

n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机

参考例句：

• Her mind is occupied with speculation.她的头脑忙于思考。
• There is widespread speculation that he is going to resign.人们普遍推测他要辞职。

7 curb   

n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制

参考例句：

• I could not curb my anger.我按捺不住我的愤怒。
• You must curb your daughter when you are in church.你在教堂时必须管住你的女儿。

8 rebound   

v.弹回；n.弹回，跳回

参考例句：

• The vibrations accompanying the rebound are the earth quake.伴随这种回弹的振动就是地震。
• Our evil example will rebound upon ourselves.我们的坏榜样会回到我们自己头上的。

9 rigid   

adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的

参考例句：

• She became as rigid as adamant.她变得如顽石般的固执。
• The examination was so rigid that nearly all aspirants were ruled out.考试很严，几乎所有的考生都被淘汰了。

10 promotions   

促进( promotion的名词复数 )； 提升； 推广； 宣传

参考例句：

• All services or promotions must have an appeal and wide application. 所有服务或促销工作都必须具有吸引力和广泛的适用性。
• He promptly directed the highest promotions and decorations for General MacArthur. 他授予麦克阿瑟将军以最高的官阶和勋奖。

11 outgrew   

长[发展] 得超过（某物）的范围( outgrow的过去式 )； 长[发展]得不能再要（某物）； 长得比…快； 生长速度超过

参考例句：

• She outgrew the company she worked for and found a better job somewhere else. 她进步很快，不再满足于她所在工作的公司，于是又在别处找到一份更好的工作。
• It'soon outgrew Carthage and became the largest city of the western world. 它很快取代了迦太基成为西方的第一大城市。 来自英汉非文学 - 文明史