轉載Chenchen Chen fb
🛠《大家來找碴welcome strict proofreader 》
看到Christopher Chen附在獨立觀察的連結,披露日本記者黑木亮著手調查東京知事小池百合子的埃及開羅大學學歴史,所以整理了文章一半的中英對照如下,另外一半預期周末整理好再另外貼新版。
大家可以比較東京知事和她的大貴人(埃及前副首相Dr Hatem)如何促使她主張她1976年確從埃及開羅大學畢業的做法。台灣媒體不敢報導此日本疑似假學歷的新聞,倒是刷了很多東京知事抗疫好棒棒的中文報導-想必是要洗嬰粉的腦「會做事就好了,學歷有什麼重要」哈哈😄⋯⋯
✳️原文連結: https://jbpress.ismedia.jp/articles/-/60643
🔥偽造大學學位的指控困擾東京都知事小池百合子(Vol.4)
Allegations of fake university degree haunt Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike (vol.4)
💥自從現任東京都知事小池百合子(Yuriko Koike)於1992年成為國會議員以來,一直有謠言流傳稱,小池百合子(Koike)文飾美化她的學歷。
Ever since the incumbent Governor of Tokyo, Yuriko Koike became a Member of Parliament in 1992, rumors have been circulating that Koike embellished her academic credentials.
小池聲稱自己曾自開羅大學畢業,但是如果以阿拉伯語為母語的人去聽她的阿拉伯語,那麼她公開身為開羅大學畢業生的學歷,似乎就顯得更加可疑了。
Koike claims to have graduated from Cairo University but if an Arabic speaker listens to her Arabic, her published academic credentials as a Cairo University graduate seems more than dubious.
[我有]強有力的證據可以證明她偽造學歷,例如由室友提供的證詞-有紀錄片可查的證詞;小池的自相矛盾的說法表明,儘管第一年不及格,她仍然在四年之內畢業,她的初階程度阿拉伯語,以及關於畢業論文的謊言,和她拒絕向東京都議會提交畢業文件的頑強行為。
There are strong evidence about her fake academic credentials such as testimony by the flatmate supported by documentary evidence, Koike's self-contradictory statement in her book to have graduated in four years despite failing her first year, her rudimentary Arabic, her lie about the graduation thesis and her stubbornness in refusing to submit her graduation documents to the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly.
身為一個通曉阿拉伯語並從埃及大學(開羅美國大學的中東研究專業)畢業的人,我自有一種任務感,因此我決定對這些指控進行調查。 經過兩年的調查,我找不到任何證據,甚至沒有一絲一毫的最低線索,可以證明小池是從開羅大學畢業的。
Feeling a sense of duty as someone who learnt Arabic and graduated from an Egyptian university (MA, Middle East Studies from the American University in Cairo), I decided to investigate the allegations. After two years of investigation, I could not find any evidence, nor even the slightest hint that Koike graduated from Cairo University.
在這個共由六大部組成的文章中,我詳細介紹了我的調查結果。這裡是第四部的內容:
In this six-part article, I present the results of my investigation in detail.Here is the fourth part of it;
💥小池有符合[埃及大學]轉學資格嗎?
Was Koike eligible to transfer?
"小池在她的書中和其他地方聲稱,她於1972年10月開學以一年級(新鮮人)生身分進入開羅大學。
Koike claims in her books and other places that she entered Cairo University as a first year student (freshman) in October 1972.
但是,她室友在"假簡歷”紀錄片中說:“小池是於1973年10月以二年級學生身分進入開羅大學。
However, in the ""Fake CV"" the flatmate says, ""Koike entered Cairo University in October 1973 as a second year student.
「小池高興地對我說:“我父親先請當時的哈特姆博士,當時也是埃及副首相,還兼任文化和信息部長,依據我在關西學院大學-是一間日本兵庫縣的私立大學-所上課的幾個月[學程],加上另外在開羅美國大學的上語言課程的幾個月,一起調整合併當成是我在開羅大學就讀的第一學年[學程時間]。」
Koike happily told me ‘My father asked Dr. Hatem, then Egypt's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and Information, to swap my few months at Kwansei Gakuin University, a private university in Hyogo prefecture, and a few months at the language course at the American University in Cairo for the first year at Cairo University. ‘
「哈特姆博士接受了這一要求。此外,我的學雜費和申請費全免除了。 」
‘Dr. Hatem accepted the request. In addition, my tuition and admission fees have been waived’ .
這顯然是寫在室友1972年11月19日給她在日本母親的信中的。根據“假簡歷”該部分陳述的內容,她(室友)大部分信都附有信件日期和郵戳。 如果是這樣,他們這些人都將會被埃及法院起訴。
This is apparently written in the flatmate’s letter to her mother in Japan dated 19 November 1972. According to the ""Fake CV"" most of her letters were dated and postmarked. If so, they will be admissible to court."
呈現在“假簡歷”的內容中,含當時也正在埃及另一所大學就讀的另一名日本女性,她說,她對小池當時可以轉入開羅大學二年級就讀感到驚訝。 我(作者:黑木亮)所採訪過的另一位開羅大學的日本畢業生也記得:小池當年是[直接]轉入開羅大學二年級。
In the ""Fake CV"" another Japanese woman who was attending another university in Egypt at the time says she was surprised that Koike had transferred in the second year at Cairo University. Another Japanese graduate of Cairo University whom I interviewed also remembered that Koike had transferred to the second year."
然而,轉學到包括開羅大學在內的埃及國立大學訂有嚴格的規定。為了進行轉學,學生必須在另一所大學獲得與埃及國立大學課程相同或相似的內容和學習時數的學分,並且必須獲得一定程度的成績。 開羅大學轉學中心辦公室向我證實了這一點。
However, strict rules are in place to transfer to Egypt's state universities, including Cairo University. In order to transfer, a student must have earned credits at another university with the same or similar content and number of hours as the Egyptian state university’s curriculum and must have earned a certain number of grades. This was confirmed to me by the Central Transfers Office of Cairo University.
例如,在2016-17學年,如果學生希望:
-轉學到工程或醫學學院,則必須從其他大學獲得至少imtiyaaz(優秀)成績。
-轉學實務研究學院,則必須從其他大學獲得至少jaiid jiddab(非常好)的成績。
-轉學理論學習研究學院,則必須從其他大學獲得至少jaiid (好)的成績。
In the case of the 2016-17 academic year, for example, students are required to have at least imtiyaaz (excellent) grade from other university if the student wishes to transfer to the Faculty of Engineering or Medicine and at least jaiid jiddan (very good) grade in the case of faculties of practical study and at least jaiid (good) grade for those of theoretical study.
前面如曾經提到的記者,達莉亞·施貝爾(Dalia Shibel)這樣告訴我:“在埃及,國立大學和私立大學是兩個完全不同的系統。即使您在開羅的美國大學學習了10年並獲得了必要的學分,您還是必須從開羅(國立)大學的一年級學生重新開始。這是我國的法律”。 因此,像小池這樣沒有在另一所大學讀完一年(也沒有獲得任何學分)的人是完全不可能被核准轉學的。
The aforementioned journalist Dalia Shibel told me that ""In Egypt state universities and private universities are two completely different systems. Even if you study at the American University in Cairo for 10 years obtaining necessary credits, you have to start as a first year student in Cairo University. This is the law of our country"". Therefore it is totally impossible that a person like Koike who has not finished a year at another university (and has not earned any credits) would be allowed to transfer."
小池最多只在關西學院大學學習了幾個月。 她在開羅的美國大學CASA那裡學習阿拉伯語只是一所語言學校,不提供任何學分或學位。 如果像一些日本人指出的那樣,小池真果真是在1973年轉入開羅大學第二年級的話,那不過是欺詐性的轉學而已。 這意味著她從一開始就沒有資格畢業。
Koike only attended Kwansei Gakuin University for several months at most. CASA at the American University in Cairo where she learnt Arabic is just a language school and does not offer any credits or degrees. If, as some Japanese people point out, Koike actually transferred to the second year at Cairo University in 1973, that is nothing but a fraudulent transfer. That means she was not eligible for graduation from the beginning.
💥關於小池入學許可的問題並沒有得到答案
No answer to the question about Koike’s admittance
2019年,有51人因以慈善機構樂捐名義為幌子,賄賂美國一個組織而受到起訴,該組織通過提升名人和其他人的孩子的SAT(大學才能測驗)分數,以欺詐手段允許他們的子女因此能夠進入著名的大學。
In 2019, 51 people were prosecuted in the United States for paying bribes under the guise of charity to an organization that allows celebrities and others to increase their children's SAT (college aptitude test) scores and fraudulently admit them to prestigious universities.
其中一位女演員費利西蒂·霍夫曼(Felicity Huffman)曾出演電視劇《欲望師奶(台灣翻譯)》,被判處14天監禁,並於去年10月在加利福尼亞州的女性監獄中被監禁。 霍夫曼的女兒索菲亞(Sophia)尚未上大學,據報導他將重考SAT。
One of them, actress Felicity Huffman, who starred in the TV drama Desperate Housewives, was sentenced to 14 days in prison and was incarcerated last October in a women's prison in California. Huffman's daughter Sophia has not enrolled in college and is reported to be retaking the SAT.
斯坦福大學以’非合法入學申請’為由,開除一名中國學生,原因在於他的父母為了可以濫用體育贊助(入學)名額,使他得以註冊該校學習課程,向該(同一)組織支付了650萬美元。
Stanford University expelled a Chinese student, whose parents paid $6.5 million to the organization for misusing a sports endorsement slot to enroll in the program, citing irregularities in submissions.
由於小池似乎未達到轉學入埃及國立大學的要求,因此我致信小池,詢問小池是在1972年還是1973年被錄取,但未得到任何答复(有關我詢問的信件內容,以及小池回應的所有完整文件,將在此報告的稍後部分中顯示)。
As Koike does not appear to have fulfilled the requirements for transferring to a state university in Egypt, I sent a letter to Koike, to ask whether she was admitted in 1972 or 1973 but received no response (the full text of my questions to and response from Koike will appear later in this report).
開羅大學是阿拉伯世界著名的大學之一,醫學,工程學,經濟和政治學係有許多優秀的埃及學生。 但是,該校在全球地位並不是很高。
Cairo University is one of the prominent universities in the Arab world and there are many excellent Egyptian students in the Faculties of Medicine, Engineering, and Economics and Political Science. However, its global standing is not very high.
在英國Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd.發布的2020年QS世界大學排名中,開羅大學在全球排名521-530,在埃及排名第二,與日本的熊本大學和長崎大學相當。 埃及最好的大學是開羅的美國大學(私立和美國認可大學),在世界上排名第395(與日本神戶大學並列)。 埃及排名第三的是艾因沙姆斯大學,亞歷山大大學和阿修特大學(所有國立大學),在世界範圍內排名第801-1000。
In the 2020 edition of the QS World University Rankings published by Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd. in the United Kingdom, Cairo University ranks 521-530 in the world and second in Egypt, on par with Kumamoto University and Nagasaki University in Japan. The best university in Egypt is the American University in Cairo (private and American-accredit university) which ranks 395th in the world (tied with Kobe University in Japan). Third place in Egypt are Ain Shams University, Alexandria University, and Assiut University (all state universities) which rank 801-1000th in the world.
💥小池與Abdel-Kader Hatem博士的關係
Koike’s Connections with Dr. Abdel-Kader Hatem
協助小池進行了“可能是欺詐性轉學"的埃及政客的名字出現在“假經歷”這部分的內容中。 這個室友證明,小池在1973年通過著名的埃及政治家阿卜杜勒·卡德爾·哈特姆博士的關係轉入開羅大學二年級。
The name of an Egyptian politician who assisted Koike's possible ""fraudulent transfer"" appears in the ""Fake CV"". The flatmate testifies that Koike transferred to the second grade at Cairo University in 1973 through the connections of Dr. Abdel- Kader Hatem, a prominent Egyptian politician."
Hatem於1917年生於亞歷山大。他畢業於軍事學院和開羅大學。 他參與了1952年的埃及革命(是一個推翻君主制的政變,次年埃及共和國成立),當時他是在由Gamal Abdel Nasser中校領導的自由軍運動中的一名年輕成員。
Hatem was born in Alexandria in 1917. A graduate of the Military Academy and Cairo University. He participated in the Egyptian revolution in 1952 (a coup to overthrow the monarchy which was followed by the foundation of the republic the following year) as a young member of the Free Officers Movement led by then Lieutenant Colonel Gamal Abdel Nasser.
他於1957年成為國民議會議員,總統府副部長,1959年廣播電視國務部長,1962年文化部長,國家指導和旅遊部長,1971年副首相兼文化信息部長 ,曾任全國專業委員會常務理事兼埃及-日本友好協會主席。 他於2015年去世,享年97歲。
He became a member of the National Assembly in 1957, Deputy Minister in the Presidential Office, Minister of State for Radio and Television in 1959, Minister of Culture and Minister of National Guidance and Tourism in 1962, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and Information in 1971, then longtime General Supervisor of the Specialized National Councils and President of the Egyptian-Japanese Friendship Association. He died in 2015 at the age of 97.
1974年2月,當時掌控文化和信息的副首相,哈特姆,以正式外賓的身份訪問了日本,並會見了日本首相田中角榮,副首相三木武夫,並參觀了皇宮與天皇會面。 1982年,他被日本政府授予"旭日東昇頭等大勳章”。
In February 1974, Hatem, who was then the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Culture and Information visited Japan as an official guest and met Japan’s Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka, Deputy Prime Minister Takeo Miki and visited the Imperial Palace to meet the Emperor. In 1982 he was awarded the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, First Class by the Japanese government.
"在1974年Hatem訪日之際,日本駐埃及大使Tsutomu Wada在1974年2月12日給日本外交大臣的正式電報中寫道:“埃及政治的最新發展,哈特姆副首相的職位(曾擔任首相的代理者)得到了進一步鞏固,正如我經常報導的那樣,埃及副首相在6名媒體記者的陪同下訪問日本,這是非同尋常的,這清楚地表明了哈特姆博士的權力,並表明了他認為這次訪問的重要性。”
On the occasion of Hatem's visit to Japan in 1974 the Japanese Ambassador to Egypt Tsutomu Wada wrote in an official telegram dated 12 February 1974 to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan ""As a result of recent developments in Egyptian politics the position of Deputy Prime Minister Hatem (who had been acting as a substitute for the Prime Minister) has been further strengthened as I have often reported. It is remarkable for an Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister to visit Japan accompanied by 6 media reporters and that clearly shows Dr. Hatem’s power. It also shows how important he thinks this visit is."""
"哈特姆的阿拉伯文傳記《阿卜杜勒·卡德·哈特姆日記-十月戰爭政府首腦》於2016年在開羅出版(由埃及記者易卜拉欣·阿卜杜勒·阿齊茲撰寫)指出,哈特姆與中曾根康弘保持著良好的關係, 自1954年起擔任日本前首相,中曾根將當時的在校學生,小池百合子-他朋友的女兒,介紹給哈特姆,哈特姆照顧小池,小池稱哈特姆為教父,並給了小池零用錢, 每月14埃及鎊。(小池在《長袖和服的金字塔攀登》第250頁上寫道,她每月從埃及政府獲得12英鎊的獎學金)。
🌐Chenchen註:Furisode是日本年輕未婚女性穿著的最正式的和服風格-以長袖為其特色,小池應是以Furisode做為自己的意象代名詞,唯美的描繪她以一介日本年輕嬌嬌女,如何在陌生的中東環境-埃及地,逐步攀登權力金字塔。中東地區非常保守,不但男尊女卑,金字塔也不容許遊客任意攀登,更何況是穿著舉步維艱的長袖正式和服,所以小池以一個浮誇的畫面來增飾自己在埃及留學生活的映象。
The Arabic-language biography of Hatem “The Diary of Abdel-Kader Hatem - Head of the October War Government"" published in Cairo in 2016 (written by an Egyptian journalist Ibrahim Abdel Aziz) states that Hatem had been on good terms with Yasuhiro Nakasone, former Prime Minister of Japan, since 1954 and that Nakasone introduced Yuriko Koike to him, a student at that time, as the daughter of his friend. Hatem took care of Koike. Koike called Hatem a god-father, and he gave Koike an allowance of 14 Egyptian pounds a month (Koike wrote on page 250 of “Furisode Climbing the Pyramid"" that she received a scholarship of 12 pounds a month from the Egyptian government)."
Abdel-Kader Hatem與中曾根康弘
Abdel-Kader Hatem with Yasuhiro Nakasone
"另一方面,小池於1985年出版的書《音譯:Onna女性 no 的Jinmyaku-Zukuri人脈建立 ((我如何以女人的身分經營人脈關係)》指出,她的父親(小池裕郎)很早就認識中曾根。她本人是在小學時代即已見到中曾根,在每個冬天,中曾根都向家人送去了一堆在中曾根選舉區群馬縣產的韭菜,並與他的兄弟一起吃了。
On the other hand Koike's book, ""Onna no Jinmyaku-Zukuri (How I made personal connections as a woman)"" published in 1985 states that her father (Yujiro Koike) had known Nakasone for a long time. She herself first met Nakasone when she was an elementary school student, every winter Nakasone sent her family a bunch of leeks produced in Gunma prefecture, Nakasone’s electoral district, and she ate them with his* brother." 🌐*Chenchen註:應該是She ate them with HER brother.,,
1973年10月6日,埃及爆發了十月戰爭(Yom Kippur War)。 埃及和敘利亞軍隊對部署在蘇伊士運河和戈蘭高地的以色列部隊發動了進攻,試圖奪回1967年六日戰爭(六月戰爭)中以色列佔領的領土。
🌐Chenchen註:這是知名的第四次以阿戰爭,後來引發第一次石油危機,各界認為這是阿拉伯國家在二戰之後,第一次聯手反對西方帝國主義。維基百科:贖罪日戰爭,又稱第四次以阿戰爭、齋月戰爭、十月戰爭...起源於埃及與敘利亞分別攻擊六年前被以色列佔領的西奈半島和戈蘭高地。戰爭的頭一至兩日埃敘聯盟佔了上風,但此後戰況逆轉。至第二周,敘軍退出戈蘭高地。在西奈,以軍在兩軍之間攻擊,越過原來的停火線蘇伊士運河。直到聯合國停火令生效為止,以軍甚至包圍了埃及的主力部隊。 https://zh.m.wikipedia.org/zh-tw/%E8%B4%96%E7%BD%AA%E6%97%A5%E6%88%B0%E7%88%AD
On 6 October 1973, the October War (Yom Kippur War) broke out in Egypt. Egyptian and Syrian forces launched an attack on Israeli forces deployed in the Suez Canal and Golan Heights in an attempt to recapture territory occupied by Israel in the Six Day War (June War) in 1967.
"為了支持埃及和敘利亞,阿拉伯石油輸出國組織(OAPEC)將石油價格提高了1.4倍,並引發了第一次石油危機。 日本被OAPEC視為“不友好”國家之一,由於採取了削減石油供應的措施,日本遭受了經濟危機。 日本政府派副首相三木武夫和前外交大臣小坂健太郎等人前往沙烏地阿拉伯,埃及和阿爾及利亞,要求這些國家將日本改變為“友好國家”類別(所謂的“石油乞討外交”)。 。
In support of Egypt and Syria, the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC), raised oil prices by 1.4 times and caused the First Oil Crisis. Japan was considered one of the ""unfriendly"" countries by OAPEC and suffered an economic crisis as a result of measures to cut oil supplies. The Japanese government sent Deputy Prime Minister Takeo Miki and former Foreign Minister Zentaro Kosaka and others to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Algeria to ask those countries to change Japan to a ""friendly country"" category (the so-called ""oil begging diplomacy"")."
(待續...或是直接點原文連結)
https://jbpress.ismedia.jp/articles/-/60643
in practical terms中文 在 Prudence Liew 劉美君 Facebook 的最佳貼文
My best friend's page...A friend who always inspires me, a good example...
Teachings from Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje
大寶法王聽列泰耶多傑的開示
( PLEASE SHARE 請分享)
2017-06-27
To deal with someone else's anger or aggression, the best method is simply to meditate on compassion and loving-kindness, because, it seems that the aggression that one experiences from others has to do with, not having dealt with one's own consciousness' stream.
面對他人的憤怒或侵略時,最好是簡單地反思慈悲。因為,我們感受到他人的侵略的原因是我們沒有處理好自己的意識流。
2017-06-24
The difficulties we face can help us grow. 我們面對的困難有助我們成長。
The difficulties that we face right now, from a Bodhisattva's perspective, are what is known as 'great teachers,' like wish-fulfilling jewels, because they help us to grow and develop. They are 'wish-fulfilling challenges,' 'wish-fulfilling teachers.' All of the obstacles that we face - be it health-wise; with regard to our mental development; or concerning our income; our livelihood - well, basically any difficulties, challenges or obstacles concerning day-to-day life - all of it, if we can take it the right way, can really, really help us to grow.
我們現在面對的困難,在菩薩的角度看,可以稱為’偉大上師‘,像如意寶珠,因為它們幫助我們成長和發展。它們是‘如意挑戰‘,’如意上師‘。我們面對的所有障礙 – 可能在健康上;有關智力的發展;或跟入息有關;我們的生計 – 基本上日常任何難關、挑戰或障礙 – 所有的,若我們可以保持正確的態度,真的真的能幫助我們成長。
2017-06-20
The idea of wanting to benefit others is a quality that comes very naturally to us. It always helps to have an example, to have a teacher to remind us of this quality. However, it is innately there, so it is easy for us to relate to this idea.
我們自然生起利益他人的願望。一個榜樣常常會有幫助,有一位導師去提醒我們這品質。但是,它是與生俱來的,因此我們很容易地跟這想法聯繫起來。
In terms of a practical way of engaging with this, we have to think of all sentient beings, and it starts with all those that are near or close to us. In a way it is helpful, practical, and much more effective to begin like this, to focus on the nearest individuals. Afterwards, by continuing, persisting and putting effort into maintaining that attitude, engaging in supporting others becomes easier. I think that the benefit is not only for now, not only for the moment, but it brings peace and meaning in one’s life, and at all times.
在實行上,我們需要念記所有眾生,而由親近我們的開始。在某方面上,專注於最親近的人對開始訓練時有幫助、是踏實的,和更有效率。然後,持續、堅持,和用功地保持這態度,能讓我們更容易地支持別人。我想益處不僅在當下,不只是一霎那,而能讓一生也得到平和跟意義,恆常地。
2017-06-16
Be a good example 成為一個好榜樣
We all have a child nature inside us, no matter what stage of life we are in. When we say to a child 'go to sleep,' of course it doesn't work. Instead, children will learn actually mostly through watching what others do, how others walk, talk, behave and express. They are always watching. This is why, no matter where we are in life's journey, since we still have this kind of child nature in us, all it takes for that person to change is for them to see a good example. And then the habit takes over and they want to mimic and imitate that. So if we wish for something or someone to change, we have to be a good example.
無論在生命那一階段,我們都有孩子的品性。當我們告訴小孩:『去睡吧』,當然這是不行。反而,小孩大多會透過觀察別人學習,人們怎樣走路、講話、行動和表達。他們常常在觀察。因此,無論我們在生命的那一階段,因為我們內在有孩子的品性,看到一個好榜樣就足以令我們改變。然後構成習慣,和他人會希望效法那行為。所以若果我們希望某東西或某人改變,我們要成為一個好榜樣。
(英文原文及圖片來源:https://www.facebook.com/17th.Karmapa/
(中文翻譯由本FB翻譯小組負責。若有錯漏,請見諒。節錄或載列文章內容以原文為準。)
in practical terms中文 在 多益達人 林立英文 Facebook 的最佳解答
【如何在兩個月內買到小米手機
How to Buy a Xiaomi in Two Short Months】
Beijing, Sept. 4th (by Carlos Tejada) -- China’s Xiaomi rose to the top ranks of global smartphone makers in only five years by selling high-spec phones at lowball prices. The phones have been snapped up by Chinese consumers looking for an affordable, homegrown alternative to pricier gadgets made by Apple and Samsung Electronics. Its success has made it China’s most valuable startup and second only to Uber in terms of global valuations.
中國的小米公司僅用了不到五年的時間,藉由以低價銷售高規格手機商品,在全球智慧型手機市場中躍昇至名列前茅的位置。與美國蘋果和南韓三星生產且較為昂貴的智慧型裝置相比,小米公司給中國消費者提供的是可負擔得起的國產化和實惠替代選擇,其產品也屢屢被中國消費者一掃而空。小米公司的成功使它一舉成為中國最具市場價值的新創企業,即使在全球範圍來算,其市值也僅次於 Uber。
So goes the story behind Xiaomi’s rise. Still, there’s one aspect of its business that can be hard to convey to the outside world: Its phones can be very, very, very difficult to buy.
以上便是小米崛起的故事,然而這其中尚有一個難與外界陳述的事實是:小米手機是非常,非常,非常難以購買的。
Xiaomi sells its phones only in China, India and a few other Asian markets. But that’s just the start of the difficulties. In China the company sells its newest phones online in limited batches through what are called flash sales. Xiaomi and analysts say that helps the company cope with demand for new products as it ramps up production.
目前小米公司僅在中國、印度及一些亞洲國家銷售智慧手機,不過這其實只是造成購買困難的第一個因素。小米公司在中國是透過所謂線上分批搶購的方式來銷售其最新機型。小米公司和分析家認為這種銷售方式有助於公司更好地控管新產品產量只能逐步上升可能造成的供不應求狀況。
On a practical level, it means those who aren’t quick enough with a computer mouse may have a long time to wait before they get one.
實際一點來說,這就表示那些使用電腦滑鼠不夠敏捷的人可能就得在買到一台小米手機之前要等上好長一段時間了。
I chose to buy a Xiaomi phone after the company lent me its newest phablet, the Note Pro, to use for a few weeks. I liked the large screen, decent camera and its take on Google’s Android phone-operating software, which in my opinion is still inferior to Apple’s mobile software but is closing the gap. Mostly, I liked the price – the Note Pro costs about half the price of Apple’s base-model iPhone 6 Plus, which is the same size but comes with only a quarter of the memory.
在小米公司把最新型的 Note Pro 智慧型大螢幕手機借給我使用了幾個星期之後,我決定自行購買一台小米手機。我非常喜歡它的大螢幕以及拍照效果不錯的鏡頭。小米手機使用的是 Google 公司的 Android 手機作業系統,雖然 Android 系統跟蘋果公司的 iOS 系統還存在一定差距,但這個差距正逐漸縮小中。我最在意的還是價格:小米 Note Pro 的售價僅為蘋果公司 iPhone 6 Plus 基本款(16 GB)的一半,且這兩台手機的尺寸一樣,而 Note Pro 的記憶體容量足足為 iPhone 6 Plus 的 4 倍 (64 GB)。
Another reason I liked it: In China-nerd circles, the phone is a conversation starter. People who follow China or technology but who aren’t on the mainland rarely see one. In that crowd everybody has an opinion of Xiaomi, ranging from respect for a scrappy startup to contempt for a cheap copycat. “Oh, you have a Xiaomi?” they ask, with some mix of curiosity and amusement.
我喜歡小米手機的另一個理由是,在愛好中國事物的群體之中,小米手機總是一個很不錯的開場白,因為關注中國或者科技產品但身不在中國的人很少能看見小米手機。那個群體的人對於小米都有各自的看法,有的人對這個草莽的新創公司表達尊重,也有人輕蔑地認為小米手機僅僅是廉價的山寨產品。他們會帶著愉悅和好奇問說:「哦?你的是小米手機?」
I chose to buy my phone like most Chinese people buy theirs: through an online flash sale. I skipped online brokers and secondhand dealers over concerns about malware and fakes. I also declined an offer from Xiaomi for a pass that would let me jump to the front of the line, an inducement it offers to its biggest Mi fans.
我選擇採用大多數在中國的消費者們所使用的方式來購買小米手機:線上搶購。出於對惡意軟體和假貨問題的擔憂,我略過了從網路賣家和二手交易者那邊購買的方案。我還放棄了小米公司提供的「插隊」優待,這對於廣大的「米粉」族來說可是項福利啊。
I went in with a co-worker, Olivia, who wanted to buy a budget-level phone for her father.
我和我的同事 Olivia 一起進行搶購,而她想幫她爸爸購買一台經濟實惠的手機。
Day 1第 1 天
Xiaomi holds its flash sales on Tuesdays at noon sharp. To buy one, a customer needs access to a Chinese debit or credit card or an account with an online payment system like Alibaba Group’s Alipay affiliate. With all those in check, I perched over my computer with my mouse at the ready.
小米在週二中午整點展開了一次搶購活動,想要參與的消費者必須擁有中國記帳卡、信用卡或者像隸屬阿里巴巴公司的支付寶那樣的線上付款系統。一切就緒以後,我手握滑鼠靜候在電腦旁邊嚴陣以待。
As it turns out, there’s another helpful prerequisite: An ability to read fine print in Chinese. My noontime click generated a message congratulating me for registering to try to buy a Xiaomi phone. The fine print on the website said people trying to buy a phone must first register on the site. My first true opportunity, it told me, would be next Tuesday.
有一個先決條件更能使我們成功搶購到手機:你需要具備讀懂中國文字的能力。我算好正午時間點下按鈕之後出現一個視窗,是一條恭喜資訊:小米網站祝賀我註冊成功,並可以開始嘗試搶購小米手機。網站上的中文有提示希望搶購小米手機的用戶必須先在網站進行註冊,我成功註冊以後的第一次嘗試機會變成了下週二。
Day 8第 8 天
Primed and registered, I set off with my mouse promptly at noon as if a starter’s pistol had gone off next to my ear. Two pages of options popped up on my browser. I read the Chinese as quickly as I could and clicked away.
確認註冊成功,且一切就緒以後,我又一次算準正午時分點下了滑鼠,那時的聲音就像是起跑槍的聲音從我耳邊呼嘯而過。隨後瀏覽器上出現了兩個頁面,我盡可能快速地閱讀了上面的中文資訊並隨後點了關閉。
Xiaomi’s mascot – a white rabbit named Mitu wearing a green Chinese army hat – popped up on my screen. It appeared to be running in place. The text explained that too many people were trying to buy phones too. “I’m lined up and currently moving forward with everything I’ve got,” it said.
小米的吉祥物,一隻戴著綠色中國軍帽,名為「米兔」的兔子出現在我的螢幕之上,一切看似順利。但上面的文字卻顯示目前搶購小米手機的人數已經太多,而且頁面一直顯示「正在排隊中」。
It ran with everything it had for the next 20 minutes. I wondered how long it would take for me to find out whether I had won my phone.
結果20 分鐘過去了,頁面所顯示的內容還是一樣,我當時就很好奇還需要等多久我才會知道是否搶到了手機。
A colleague, Yang Jie, walked by and sighed. “You didn’t get it, Carlos,” she said. Sure enough, the image soon changed to a Mitu gushing tears. “Sorry, we’re already sold out,” it said.
這時我一位同事Yang Jie經過並嘆了一口氣。她說:「Carlos,你沒有搶到。」果不其然,頁面隨後便出現了一隻淚水狂噴的米兔。上面寫著:「非常抱歉,我們已經售罄。」
I looked to Olivia, who shook her head. Sold out too.
我望向 Olivia 那兒,她搖了搖頭,顯然她也沒有搶到。
Day 15第 15 天
I noticed this time that Xiaomi offers potential buyers the option of ordering the Xiaomi phone for guaranteed delivery in a month. I snorted. Waiting, I decided, is for chumps. I’m not a chump. I’m a champ. Surely I can click as fast as anybody.
這次我注意到小米為潛在購買者提供了預約購買的服務,並保證在一個月內進行配送。我對此冷哼一聲。我主意已決,這種等待方案是準備給傻瓜的,但我並不是一個傻瓜,我是一個贏家,我肯定可以比別人更快點下滑鼠。
Apparently not. This time the crying Mitu quickly replaced the running Mitu. Sold out. On to next week.
結果根本事與願違,這次哭泣的米兔很快便取代跑步的米兔出現在了螢幕之上。再次售罄,只好再等到下個星期了。
But not with Olivia. Twice was enough, and she dropped out. “It’s too hard,” she said.
不過這次 Olivia 並沒有參與,因為她覺得兩次嘗試就夠了所以罷手。她說:「這太難了」。
Day 22第 22 天
I was on the phone with a colleague in Hong Kong when the trumpets from theme music of China’s national noon television broadcast blared across the newsroom. Noon! I scrambled to my open browser. Those precious seconds may have cost me. The crying Mitu mocked my inattention. Vigilance is the price of flash sales.
當時我在跟一位在香港的同事講電話,隨後我聽到了中國午間新聞的主題音樂。又到正午了!我習慣性反射地衝到開啟的瀏覽器前面,每一秒鐘都太寶貴了。哭泣的米兔再一次無情地嘲笑著我不夠投入的搶購行為。在進行秒殺搶購的時候警惕性實在是太重要了。
Day 29第 29 天
Xiaomi says it sells phones in limited batches strictly for production reasons, not to stoke demand through what’s known as scarcity marketing. “We have to monitor the demand for our smartphones, and produce our inventory accordingly, which requires us to use the flash sale model,” a spokeswoman said.
小米公司稱其之所以採用限量搶購的方式主要是由於產能問題,而並非像所傳的那樣利用所謂的「饑餓行銷」來刺激需求。「我們必須對自己智慧手機的銷量進行監控,並據此對庫存及產能進行調整,因此我們只能選擇限量搶購的模式。」小米公司的一位女發言人這麼說。
Whatever the reason, it resulted in a crying Mitu on my screen.
不管理由是什麼,最終我的螢幕上還是再度出現了一隻哭泣的米兔。
Day 36第 36 天
Hello again, you crying little lapin tease. Had I chosen to be a chump, instead of a champ, I’d have my Xiaomi by now.
再次見到了米兔的哭臉嘲諷。如果當初能自認蠢蛋,不要選擇當贏家的話,現在我應該已經把小米手機拿到手了。
Still, I wasn’t frustrated. More curious. Was it possible, in fact, to buy a Xiaomi phone?
但我並沒有感到沮喪,只是更加好奇用搶購這種方式的消費者究竟能否買到小米手機?
Day 42第 42 天
Noon on Tuesday in China came at 9 p.m. Monday at the airport in Phoenix, where I was schlepping two children from one set of grandparents to another. I thought about telling my wife I wanted to put down our luggage and pause our U.S. vacation while I try to buy a phone in China from a company that uses a militant rabbit as a mascot. I thought about the divorce proceedings. I kept silent.
中國週二的正午是美國鳳凰城(Phoenix)週一早上 9 點,當時我在鳳凰城的機場內,手上抱著兩個孩子,我剛把他們從祖父母處接回,現在正前往外祖父母的住處。當時我想要告訴太太我想放下行李並暫停我們的度假,因為我正嘗試從一家以軍裝兔子作為吉祥物的公司處搶購一台手機。只是在我想到了離婚的訴訟程序之後,我選擇了保持沉默。
Day 49第 49 天
I just plain forgot.
我壓根兒忘記了有搶購這件事情。
Day 55第 55 天
I logged into Xiaomi’s Chinese site the day before the Tuesday auction to register for the big showto be greeted with a message that the Note Pro was available for immediate sale. The Xiaomi spokeswoman later said that “we move from flash sales to open sales after we determine the exact alignment of demand and supply accordingly.” My Xiaomi would be waiting at my desk in Beijing when I returned.
我在週二的搶購開始之前就先登入小米的中文網頁,結果登入後我看到一則訊息說小米 Note Pro 已經可以即時購買。隨後小米公司的女發言人表示:「在確認了供應量能夠滿足需求量以後,我們決定將銷售方式從限量搶購調整為公開銷售。」在我回到北京的時候我的小米手機就已經躺在我桌子上等著我了。
TZ Wong, an analyst with research firm Canalys, says Xiaomi will need to broaden its distribution channels, “especially if it wants to achieve its ambitious 80 million to 100 million smartphone target for this year.” The Xiaomi spokeswoman said it doesn’t pursue market-share targets.
市場調查及研究機構Canalys 的分析師 TZ Wong 表示小米公司必須拓展其分配銷售的管道,「特別是如果他們想在今年達成 8 千萬至 1 億的銷售目標後。」但小米的女發言人稱公司並不以追求市場佔有率為目標。
My phone works fine so far. Does it work two-months’-wait fine? That’s between me and the Mitu.
目前我的手機運作的狀況一切良好,不過這支手機真的值得這兩個月的苦苦等候嗎?這個問題就留給我和米兔吧。
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