进入英语学习论坛下载音频

The head of China's nuclear power program is under investigation for "grave violations of discipline", the top disciplinary body of the Communist Party of China (CPC) said yesterday.

A statement from the CPC's Central Committee for Discipline Inspection didn't provide details of offenses allegedly committed by Kang Rixin, general manager and also Party boss of the State-owned China National Nuclear Corp (CNNC), but the terminology is usually used to indicate corruption.

It was not clear whether Kang, 56, was suspended from his post. He was elected as a member of CPC's Central Committee for Discipline Inspection in 2002.

Xu Zongheng, the mayor of Shenzhen, one of China's wealthiest cities, was placed under similar investigation for "grave disciplinary offenses" in June and fired for corruption last week.

The Suzhou-based SUFA Technology Industry Co, which is listed on the Shenzhen stock exchange and whose controlling shareholder is CNNC, made an announcement yesterday evening, confirming Kang was under investigation.

The production and business operations of the company were not affected because Kang is not in a management role in the company, according to the announcement.

But Kang remained listed as general manager and Party committee secretary of the corporation on CNNC's website yesterday.

An anonymous staff member from CNNC told China Daily yesterday that the company had not received an official notice about Kang.

The CNNC, which oversees the country's nuclear programs, made a profit of 4.8 billion yuan ($705 million) last year.

He is among several high-ranking public figures caught up recently in disciplinary offense probes.

Questions:

1. What is the formal phrase being used to charge the top official of the state owned nuclear energy firm?

2. What is the ironic part of the charge as it relates to the official?

3. How much profit did CNNC make last year?

Answers:

1. "Grave violations of discipline".

2. He was actually elected as a member of CPC's Central Committee for Discipline Inspection in 2002.

3. 4.8 billion yuan.

（英语点津 Helen 编辑）

Brendan joined The China Daily in 2007 as a language polisher in the Language Tips Department, where he writes a regular column for Chinese English Language learners, reads audio news for listeners and anchors the weekly video news in addition to assisting with on location stories. Elsewhere he writes Op’Ed pieces with a China focus that feature in the Daily’s Website opinion section.

He received his B.A. and Post Grad Dip from Curtin University in 1997 and his Masters in Community Development and Management from Charles Darwin University in 2003. He has taught in Japan, England, Australia and most recently China. His articles have featured in the Bangkok Post, The Taipei Times, The Asia News Network and in-flight magazines.