12-18-07

香港迪斯尼樂園遊客人數連續第二年令人失望 (Hong Kong Disneyland Crowds Disappoint for Second Year)

香港官員說，已經運營兩年的迪斯尼樂園的遊客人數第二年比第一年減少了20%，而第一年遊客數量已經“不令人滿意”。香港旅遊事務署星期二向香港立法會提交的一份報告說，迪斯尼樂園開張后第二年的遊客人數在400多萬，少於第一年的520萬人。

香港迪斯尼樂園2005年9月開張，有人一直批評這座主題公園規模太小，並且缺乏象東京、巴黎和美國的同類迪斯尼樂園的那些大型遊樂項目。

香港迪斯尼還面臨來自當地的香港海洋公園的競爭。香港政府擁有迪斯尼樂園的多數股份。香港迪斯尼樂園計劃明年增添更多的遊樂項目。

Hong Kong officials say attendance at its two-year-old Disneyland theme park declined over 20 percent from its first year, which had already been called "unsatisfactory." In a report to Hong Kong's Legislative Council Tuesday, the Tourism Commission said attendance stood at over four million visitors during the park's second year of operation, compared to five-point-two million in its first year.

The park, which opened in September of 2005, has been criticized for being too small and lacking the major rides of its sister parks in Tokyo, Paris and the United States.

It also faces increased competition from Ocean Park, a local marine-based adventure park. Hong Kong owns a majority stake in the Disney park. Hong Kong Disneyland is planning to add more attractions next year.

卡斯特羅暗示從古巴領導層退休(Castro Hints at Retiring From Cuban Leadership)

古巴領導人菲德爾.卡斯特羅說，他不會阻擋新一代領導人的崛起。卡斯特羅因健康原因已經16個多月沒有公開露面。在古巴國營電視臺上星期一宣讀的一份信中，卡斯特羅說，他的根本職責不是抓住職位不放或阻擋更年輕的人。

這是81歲的卡斯特羅首次暗示他可能會永久辭去國務委員會主席職務。卡斯特羅2006年7月把權力移交給弟弟勞爾.卡斯特羅，以便進行手術，但是他說讓權是臨時性的。到目前為止他還沒有重新擔負國務委員會主席的權力。

菲德爾.卡斯特羅手術以後在官方照片和錄影帶中露過面，還經常就國際議題發表署名卡斯特羅的文章。古巴政府對他的健康詳情諱莫如深。卡斯特羅1959年在一場革命中奪取政權。他至今仍然是正式政府首腦。

Cuban leader Fidel Castro, who has not been seen in public in more than 16 months because of ill health, says that he will not obstruct the rise of a new generation of leaders. In a letter read on Cuban state television Monday, Mr. Castro said his elemental duty is not to hold onto positions, or stand in the way of younger people.

It was the first suggestion from the 81-year-old Castro that he might step down permanently from the presidency. He handed over power to his brother, Raul, in July 2006 to undergo surgery, but said the move was temporary. He has yet to reclaim presidential powers.

Fidel Castro has since appeared in official photographs and videos and regularly is credited with essays on international themes. Details of his health have been kept secret by the Cuban government. The Cuban leader seized power in a 1959 revolution. He officially remains head of the government.