雅思阅读材料之星巴克中美差价引争议

The official China Central Television (CCTV) claimed Starbucks earns higher margins in China due to its pricing.

中国CCTV央视声称星巴克咖啡靠高价销售牟取暴利。

Starbucks is the latest foreign company to come under scrutiny from Chinese media over its pricing practices.

星巴克是最近以来由于售价问题受到中国媒体质疑的外国公司中的案例。

Earlier this year, Apple and Nestle were also put under pressure to review their prices or customer service.

今年上半年，苹果公司和雀巢公司同样受到中国媒体压力，不得不检讨其售价问题或售后服务问题。

Starbucks is rapidly expanding in China, which is set to overtake Canada as its second-biggest market next year.

星巴克的中国市场正在迅速扩张，计划在明年取代加拿大，成为星巴克的第二大全球市场。

In the CCTV report that aired on Sunday, it said a medium-size latte in Beijing costs 27 yuan (£2.70;$4.43), or about one-third more than at a Starbucks in Chicago.

周日播出的央视新闻报道中指出，一杯中杯拿铁咖啡在北京的售价为27元，比在芝加哥的售价多出了约三分之一。

"Starbucks has been able to enjoy high prices in China, mainly because of the blind faith of local consumers in Starbucks and other Western brands," Wang Zhendong, director of the Coffee Association of Shanghai, told CCTV.

上海咖啡协会会长王振东对央视记者说，“星巴克在中国一直享受着高额售价，主要原因是本地居民对星巴克等洋品牌的盲目信任。”

Starbucks said its prices reflect higher food and logistical costs in China.

星巴克有关发言人说，星巴克在中国的售价反应了中国更高的原料成本和后勤成本。

The issue became one of the most popular talking points on Sina Weibo, China's version of Twitter, where many users seemed to rally to Starbucks' side.

这一事件成为了中国版的推特新浪微博上最热门的话题之一。不少网友都站在了支持星巴克这一边。

"Those who are saying Starbucks is expensive are probably those who don't drink much coffee," one user said. "The prices are competitive and the quality makes people feel safe."

“那些说星巴克太贵的人也许是并不常喝咖啡的人”，一个网友说。“星巴克的价格很有竞争力，而且咖啡的质量也让人感觉物有所值。”