英語角-圓桌會議 RoundTable - 年終獎曬出不公

Topic1 Official Doing Work Report on TVLast weekend, officials from the Qingdao city government in Shandong province appeared live on local television to present summaries of their performance over the past year.

In recent years, we have seen several cities hold such TV shows for the public to know more about the government's work.

Is the one in Qingdao a good try at improving transparency?

Topic2 Changchun To Ban Tobacco Sale to MinorsChangchun in Jilin Province will launch a new regulation which bans tobaccosales to minors starting from March 1st, 2014. Violator will be fined no more than 30,000 yuan.

In fact, Changchun is not the first city having such ban. Hangzhou announced similar rule in 2009 with highest fine of 2,000 yuan on violator. Anhui Province and Chongqing city have similar bans too.

Should cigarette sale to underage people to banned?

Topic3 Chess Talent Quits School to Go ProLi Di, a 14 year old Chengdu boy, won a gold medal in The 2013 World Youth Chess Championships held in December in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.

In an effort to win in the upcoming 2014 China International Chess League Game, Li Di stops going to schools now and spends every minute into chess practice.

Why is there a controversy over whether he should continue schooling?

Topic4 12306 Sets Up Venting Room for EmployeesPunching bags are used not only byboxers, but also people who want to relieve their anger.

This is why the customer service center of 12306.cn, China's official website for booking train tickets, has set up a punching bag in its canteen for the employees.

Why is that?

Topic5 Waive the Right to Holidays and WeekendsSichuan Si Jian Construction andRenovation Engineer Company recently required its employees to sign on a contract that says: I voluntarily give up weekends, holidays and insist on flexible working hours (work overtime 1-2 hours or more per day according to company's need); I accept 130 yuan fine for being late each minute; I voluntarily allow the company to deduct 30% of my monthly income until the deposit reaches 20,000 yuan.

How is this possible?

Topic6 Year-end bonus: Don't tell me it's the most, I just want moreFor the Chinese urban working professionals, the year's end has a special significance.

It doesn't only mean a time to take stock and conceive annual report, but also a reason to expect a big fat reward for one's work and dedication in the past year.

As some jokingly say that they only receive five bags of apples as the year-end reward, others can't help but show off their latest models of the iPhone.