2013年高中英语教学辅助素材：Frances-New-Passion-All-Things-Chinese（文本）.docVIP

PARIS ?Not so long ago, Americans and Japanese tourists were the major spenders in France. During these summer months, Frances tourism industry now is courting additional clients with major purchasing power: the Chinese. For some French, that means going back to the classroom to study Mandarin. Teacher Meifen Chen swears it is easy to learn Mandarin, the official language of the Chinese mainland. Maybe she is right, but its still daunting to wonderful classes. One of her students is a journalist. Another is just curious about China. The third, business-owner Julie Antonello, travels frequently to China. She said she is studying Mandarin to make sure she strikes good deals. But otherwise I just want to understand the culture. Because I go there really often, said Antonello. Because I want to understand... to try to help myself, to take a taxi or coffee. The French are not just doing business in China. Chinese business is coming to France. Today, about half-a-million Chinese visit France every year. Tour operators predict that number may reach two million or more by 2020. With incomes rising in China, middle-class Chinese can now afford to go abroad. English teacher Chester [his Western name] poses for pictures near the Louvre museum with a group of colleagues. He is enjoying Paris ... in a language he understands. We see some signs in Chinese everywhere. In shops, in restaurants. We went to some palaces and we saw Chinese everywhere, Im afraid. Chinese are not only flocking to cultural attractions, but also to French clothing and perfume stores. Even those on a budget, like university student Wang Yi. I am going to the Champs Elysee to have a look if there is anything I might be interested in. The makeup, things for women, said Wang. The Chinese are Frances biggest foreign shoppers, accounting for one quarter of all duty-free business, according to shopping group Global Blue. Some major stores are responding by hiring Chinese-speaking staff. And last year, Frances