Intermediate Level Reading

从中国制造到中国创造 🚀🏭

Themes: Chinese brands, innovation, manufacturing, technology, globalization

Part A

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在过去zài guòqù的几十年里de jǐ shí nián lǐ中国Zhōngguó一直被称为yìzhí bèi chēngwéi世界工厂shìjiè gōngchǎng从上世纪cóng shàng shìjì80年代bāshí niándài开始kāishǐ无论是wúlùn shì衣服、鞋子yīfu, xiézi还是háishì玩具、家电wánjù, jiādiàn如果翻开rúguǒ fānkāi标签biāoqiān你几乎都能看到nǐ jīhū dōu néng kàndào“Made in China”de字样zìyàng那时候nà shíhou中国Zhōngguó凭借píngjiè丰富而廉价的fēngfù ér liánjià de劳动力资源láodònglì zīyuán承接chéngjiē了全球大量的le quánqiú dàliàng de加工制造jiāgōng zhìzào订单dìngdān虽然suīrán产品出口量chǎnpǐn chūkǒu liàng巨大jùdàdàn利润微薄lìrùn wēibó且大多qiě dàduō处于chǔyú产业链chǎnyèliàn的低端de dīduān缺乏quēfá核心技术héxīn jìshù

然而rán’ér随着时间的推移suízhe shíjiān de tuīyí情况发生了qíngkuàng fāshēng le翻天覆地fāntiān fùdì的变化de biànhuà为了实现wèile shíxiàn可持续发展kě chíxù fāzhǎn中国政府和企业Zhōngguó zhèngfǔ hé qǐyè开始大力投入kāishǐ dàlì tóurù研发yánfā推动一场tuīdòng yì chǎngcóng中国制造Zhōngguó zhìzàodào中国创造Zhōngguó chuàngzàode转型zhuǎnxíng现在的中国企业xiànzài de Zhōngguó qǐyè不再仅仅满足于bù zài jǐnjǐn mǎnzú yú代工dàigōng”,而是开始ér shì kāishǐ引领yǐnlǐng全球的科技quánqiú de kējì创新chuàngxīn在多个zài duō ge前沿qiányán领域lǐngyù展现出zhǎnxiàn chū强大的qiángdà de竞争力jìngzhēnglì

说到这shuō dào zhè光讲趋势guāng jiǎng qūshì可能kěnéng有点yǒudiǎn抽象chōuxiàng咱们不如zánmen bùrú直接聊聊几个zhíjiē liáoliao jǐ ge大概率dà gàilǜ听过tīngguò甚至身边就有的shènzhì shēnbiān jiù yǒu de中国牌子Zhōngguó páizi它们可不是tāmen kě bú shì冷冰冰的lěngbīngbīng de中国Zhōngguó巨头jùtóu而是ér shì悄悄钻进qiāoqiāo zuān jìn我们日常生活的wǒmen rìcháng shēnghuó de老朋友了lǎo péngyou le

比如bǐrú华为Huáwéi你就算没用过nǐ jiùsuàn méi yòng guò它的手机tā de shǒujī也八成在yě bāchéng zài商圈广告shāngquān guǎnggào或者huòzhě体育赛事上tǐyù sàishì shàng见过它的名字jiànguò tā de míngzi现在它可不只是xiànzài tā kě bù zhǐ shì做手机的zuò shǒujī de很多国家的hěn duō guójiā de5G信号塔xìnhàotǎ背后都有它的bèihòu dōu yǒu tā de身影shēnyǐng甚至shènzhì有人yǒu rén开玩笑说kāi wánxiào shuō它是少数能在tā shì shǎoshù néng zài高端机上gāoduān jī shàng跟苹果正面gēn Píngguǒ zhèngmiàn硬刚yìnggāng的中国选手de Zhōngguó xuǎnshǒu

再比如zài bǐrú比亚迪Bǐyǎdí现在xiànzài街头巷尾jiētóu xiàngwěi跑的pǎo de电动公交diàndòng gōngjiāo网约车wǎngyuēchē挂着guàzheBYD车标的BYD chēbiāo de越来越多yuè lái yuè duō尤其yóuqí在欧洲zài Ōuzhōu和东南亚hé Dōngnányà很多人第一次坐hěn duō rén dì yī cì zuò电动大巴diàndòng dàbā抬头一看táitóu yí kàn牌子就是比亚迪páizi jiù shì Bǐyǎdí特斯拉现在Tèsīlā xiànzài很可能都不是hěn kěnéng dōu bú shì它的tā de对手duìshǒule

还有hái yǒu大疆Dàjiāng这个更zhè ge gèngjué你要是喜欢nǐ yàoshi xǐhuan刷短视频shuā duǎn shìpín那些nàxiē震撼zhènhànde航拍hángpāi镜头jìngtóu十有八九shí yǒu bā jiǔshì大疆的Dàjiāng de无人机wúrénjī拍的pāi de它已经牛到让tā yǐjīng niú dào ràng“无人机”这个词zhè ge cí几乎等于jīhū děngyú“大疆”de地步dìbù连好莱坞拍电影lián Hǎoláiwù pāi diànyǐng农民伯伯撒农药nóngmín bóbo sǎ nóngyào都得靠它帮忙dōu děi kào tā bāngmáng

至于zhìyú字节跳动Zìjié Tiàodòng你手机里那个nǐ shǒujī lǐ nà ge让你ràng nǐ刷到shuā dào停不下来的tíng bù xiàlái deTikTok就是它家的jiù shì tā jiā de它不生产tā bù shēngchǎn实物shíwù却用què yòng算法suànfǎ抓住了zhuāzhù le全世界人的quán shìjiè rén de眼球yǎnqiú这波操作zhè bō cāozuò算是把suàn shì bǎ中国互联网的Zhōngguó hùliánwǎng de脑洞nǎodòng开到全球了kāi dào quánqiú le

最后提一嘴zuìhòu tí yì zuǐDeepSeekDeepSeek这个牌子zhè ge páizi可能kěnéng新一点xīn yìdiǎn但在dàn zài科技圈kējìquān已经yǐjīng炸开锅zhà kāi guōle它搞的tā gǎo de人工智能大模型réngōng zhìnéng dà móxíng性能xìngnéng强还特别qiáng hái tèbié“省钱”,ràng硅谷Guīgǔ都惊掉了下巴dōu jīng diào le xiàba妥妥的tuǒtuǒ de中国速度代表Zhōngguó sùdù dàibiǎo

当然dāngrán这还只是zhè hái zhǐ shì冰山一角bīngshān yì jiǎo与此同时yǔ cǐ tóngshí中国企业Zhōngguó qǐyè始终保持shǐzhōng bǎochí开放kāifàng的态度de tàidu愿意同各个国家yuànyì tóng gè ge guójiā进行jìnxíng深入合作shēnrù hézuò无论是通过wúlùn shì tōngguò开源kāiyuán技术分享jìshù fēnxiǎng还是共同建设háishì gòngtóng jiànshè基础设施jīchǔ shèshī中国都在努力Zhōngguó dōu zài nǔlì与世界yǔ shìjiè分享fēnxiǎng发展的fāzhǎn de红利hónglì一起yìqǐ推动tuīdòng人类科技的进步rénlèi kējì de jìnbù

最后zuìhòu我想问问大家wǒ xiǎng wènwen dàjiā你使用过nǐ shǐyòng guò以上提到的yǐshàng tí dào de品牌或者产品吗pǐnpái huòzhě chǎnpǐn ma在你的国家zài nǐ de guójiā还有哪些hái yǒu nǎxiē中国品牌Zhōngguó pǐnpái越来越受欢迎yuè lái yuè shòu huānyíng

Part B

语言点 / 句子结构 Language Points

Pink-underlined structures in the reading match the cards below.

A被称为B

Meaning: A is called B; A is known as B

Usage & Context: Use this to introduce a common name, reputation, or public identity.

中国曾经被称为“世界工厂”。

Zhōngguó céngjīng bèi chēngwéi “shìjiè gōngchǎng.”

China used to be called the “world factory.”

上海被称为中国的咖啡之都。

Shànghǎi bèi chēngwéi Zhōngguó de kāfēi zhī dū.

Shanghai is known as China’s coffee capital.

无论是A,还是B,……

Meaning: whether A or B, ...

Usage & Context: Use this to list different examples and show that the same idea applies to all of them.

无论是衣服,还是家电,你都可能看到“中国制造”。

Wúlùn shì yīfu, háishì jiādiàn, nǐ dōu kěnéng kàndào “Zhōngguó zhìzào.”

Whether it is clothing or appliances, you may see “Made in China.”

无论是学习,还是工作,科技都改变了我们的生活。

Wúlùn shì xuéxí, háishì gōngzuò, kējì dōu gǎibiàn le wǒmen de shēnghuó.

Whether in study or work, technology has changed our lives.

凭借……,……

Meaning: by relying on...; thanks to...

Usage & Context: Use this to explain the resource, strength, or advantage behind a result.

中国凭借丰富的劳动力资源承接了大量订单。

Zhōngguó píngjiè fēngfù de láodònglì zīyuán chéngjiē le dàliàng dìngdān.

China took on many orders thanks to its abundant labor resources.

这个品牌凭借创新设计吸引了年轻消费者。

Zhège pǐnpái píngjiè chuàngxīn shèjì xīyǐn le niánqīng xiāofèi zhě.

This brand attracted young consumers through innovative design.

处于……的低端/高端

Meaning: be at the low end / high end of...

Usage & Context: Use this to describe a position within a chain, market, or system.

很多代工厂曾经处于产业链的低端。

Hěn duō dàigōngchǎng céngjīng chǔyú chǎnyèliàn de dīduān.

Many OEM factories used to be at the low end of the industrial chain.

掌握核心技术的企业更容易处于产业链的高端。

Zhǎngwò héxīn jìshù de qǐyè gèng róngyì chǔyú chǎnyèliàn de gāoduān.

Companies with core technologies are more likely to be at the high end of the industrial chain.

随着时间的推移,……

Meaning: as time goes by, ...

Usage & Context: Use this to describe gradual change over time.

随着时间的推移,中国制造发生了巨大变化。

Suízhe shíjiān de tuīyí, Zhōngguó zhìzào fāshēng le jùdà biànhuà.

As time went by, Chinese manufacturing changed greatly.

随着时间的推移,人们对国产品牌越来越有信心。

Suízhe shíjiān de tuīyí, rénmen duì guóchǎn pǐnpái yuè lái yuè yǒu xìnxīn.

As time goes by, people have more confidence in domestic brands.

从A到B的转型

Meaning: the transformation from A to B

Usage & Context: Use this to describe a major shift in identity, industry, or development model.

中国正在经历从制造到创造的转型。

Zhōngguó zhèngzài jīnglì cóng zhìzào dào chuàngzào de zhuǎnxíng.

China is going through a transformation from manufacturing to creation.

很多城市也在推动从工业城市到创新城市的转型。

Hěn duō chéngshì yě zài tuīdòng cóng gōngyè chéngshì dào chuàngxīn chéngshì de zhuǎnxíng.

Many cities are also promoting a shift from industrial cities to innovation cities.

不再仅仅满足于……,而是开始……

Meaning: no longer merely satisfied with..., but begin to...

Usage & Context: Use this to describe a higher ambition after basic needs or old goals have been met.

中国企业不再仅仅满足于代工,而是开始引领创新。

Zhōngguó qǐyè bù zài jǐnjǐn mǎnzú yú dàigōng, ér shì kāishǐ yǐnlǐng chuàngxīn.

Chinese companies are no longer merely satisfied with OEM work; they are beginning to lead innovation.

年轻人不再仅仅满足于稳定,而是开始追求更自由的生活。

Niánqīng rén bù zài jǐnjǐn mǎnzú yú wěndìng, ér shì kāishǐ zhuīqiú gèng zìyóu de shēnghuó.

Young people are no longer merely satisfied with stability; they are beginning to pursue a freer life.

说到……,不如……

Meaning: speaking of..., why not...

Usage & Context: Use this conversational structure to shift from an abstract topic to a concrete example or action.

说到中国品牌,咱们不如直接聊聊华为和比亚迪。

Shuō dào Zhōngguó pǐnpái, zánmen bùrú zhíjiē liáoliao Huáwéi hé Bǐyǎdí.

Speaking of Chinese brands, why not talk directly about Huawei and BYD?

说到文化输出,不如先看几个真实案例。

Shuō dào wénhuà shūchū, bùrú xiān kàn jǐ ge zhēnshí ànlì.

Speaking of cultural export, why not first look at a few real cases?

就算……,也……

Meaning: even if..., still...

Usage & Context: Use this to show that something remains true even under a condition.

你就算没用过华为手机,也可能见过它的名字。

Nǐ jiùsuàn méi yòng guò Huáwéi shǒujī, yě kěnéng jiànguò tā de míngzi.

Even if you have not used a Huawei phone, you may have seen its name.

就算不懂科技,也能感受到这些品牌的影响力。

Jiùsuàn bù dǒng kējì, yě néng gǎnshòu dào zhèxiē pǐnpái de yǐngxiǎnglì.

Even if you do not understand technology, you can still feel these brands’ influence.

十有八九是……

Meaning: nine times out of ten it is...

Usage & Context: Use this colloquial expression when something is very likely.

那些航拍镜头,十有八九是大疆无人机拍的。

Nàxiē hángpāi jìngtóu, shí yǒu bā jiǔ shì Dàjiāng wúrénjī pāi de.

Those aerial shots were most likely filmed by DJI drones.

如果一个App让人刷到停不下来,十有八九是算法很强。

Rúguǒ yí ge App ràng rén shuā dào tíng bù xiàlái, shí yǒu bā jiǔ shì suànfǎ hěn qiáng.

If an app keeps people scrolling, its algorithm is probably very strong.

无论是通过A,还是通过B,都……

Meaning: whether through A or through B, all...

Usage & Context: Use this to summarize multiple methods that lead to the same larger goal.

无论是通过开源技术,还是共同建设基础设施,中国都在分享发展红利。

Wúlùn shì tōngguò kāiyuán jìshù, háishì gòngtóng jiànshè jīchǔ shèshī, Zhōngguó dōu zài fēnxiǎng fāzhǎn hónglì.

Whether through open-source technology or building infrastructure together, China is sharing development benefits.

无论是通过短视频,还是通过直播,品牌都能接触更多消费者。

Wúlùn shì tōngguò duǎn shìpín, háishì tōngguò zhíbō, pǐnpái dōu néng jiēchù gèng duō xiāofèi zhě.

Whether through short videos or livestreams, brands can reach more consumers.

Subject 的背后有……的身影

Meaning: behind something, there is the presence/influence of...

Usage & Context: Use this to say a person, company, or force is quietly supporting or influencing something.

很多国家的5G信号塔背后都有华为的身影。

Hěn duō guójiā de 5G xìnhàotǎ bèihòu dōu yǒu Huáwéi de shēnyǐng.

Huawei is behind many countries' 5G signal towers.

这次技术突破的背后有很多年轻工程师的身影。

Zhè cì jìshù tūpò de bèihòu yǒu hěn duō niánqīng gōngchéngshī de shēnyǐng.

Behind this technology breakthrough are many young engineers.

牛到/厉害到/严重到……的地步

Meaning: so amazing/serious that it reaches the point of...

Usage & Context: Use this informal-to-neutral pattern to describe an extreme degree or result.

大疆已经牛到让“无人机”几乎等于“大疆”的地步。

Dàjiāng yǐjīng niú dào ràng “wúrénjī” jīhū děngyú “Dàjiāng” de dìbù.

DJI has become so impressive that “drone” almost equals “DJI.”

这个问题已经严重到必须马上解决的地步。

Zhè ge wèntí yǐjīng yánzhòng dào bìxū mǎshàng jiějué de dìbù.

This problem has become so serious that it must be solved immediately.

至于……,……

Meaning: as for...; when it comes to...

Usage & Context: Use this to shift the topic to another example, person, or category.

至于字节跳动,TikTok就是它家的产品。

Zhìyú Zìjié Tiàodòng, TikTok jiù shì tā jiā de chǎnpǐn.

As for ByteDance, TikTok is one of its products.

至于未来的竞争,核心技术会越来越重要。

Zhìyú wèilái de jìngzhēng, héxīn jìshù huì yuè lái yuè zhòngyào.

As for future competition, core technology will become more and more important.

让……惊掉了下巴

Meaning: make someone extremely shocked or amazed

Usage & Context: Use this vivid informal expression when something is surprisingly impressive.

DeepSeek的表现让硅谷都惊掉了下巴。

DeepSeek de biǎoxiàn ràng Guīgǔ dōu jīng diào le xiàba.

DeepSeek's performance shocked Silicon Valley.

这家公司的增长速度让很多投资人惊掉了下巴。

Zhè jiā gōngsī de zēngzhǎng sùdù ràng hěn duō tóuzīrén jīng diào le xiàba.

This company's growth speed stunned many investors.

Part C

生词表 Vocabulary

Click a highlighted word in the reading to see pinyin, meaning, and useful collocations.

生词Pinyin词性English常用搭配
世界工厂shìjiè gōngchǎngn.world factory被称为世界工厂、世界工厂时代、中国曾是世界工厂
标签biāoqiānn.label; tag翻开标签、产品标签、价格标签
字样zìyàngn.wording; written wordsMade in China的字样、中文字样、标签上的字样
劳动力资源láodònglì zīyuánn.labor resources廉价劳动力资源、丰富的劳动力资源、依靠劳动力资源
承接chéngjiēv.undertake; take on承接订单、承接项目、承接全球业务
加工制造jiāgōng zhìzàon./v.processing and manufacturing加工制造订单、加工制造业、负责加工制造
利润微薄lìrùn wēibóadj. phr.profit is very thin利润微薄、利润微薄的行业、订单利润微薄
产业链chǎnyèliànn.industrial chain产业链低端、产业链上游、进入产业链
核心技术héxīn jìshùn.core technology缺乏核心技术、掌握核心技术、核心技术突破
翻天覆地fāntiān fùdìidiomearth-shaking; dramatic翻天覆地的变化、发生翻天覆地的变化
可持续发展kě chíxù fāzhǎnn.sustainable development实现可持续发展、可持续发展目标、推动可持续发展
研发yánfān./v.research and development投入研发、研发能力、研发团队
转型zhuǎnxíngn./v.transformation; transition产业转型、完成转型、从制造到创造的转型
代工dàigōngv./n.OEM manufacturing; contract manufacturing做代工、代工厂、不满足于代工
引领yǐnlǐngv.lead; guide引领创新、引领潮流、引领全球市场
创新chuàngxīnn./v.innovation; innovate科技创新、推动创新、创新能力
前沿qiányánadj./n.frontier; cutting-edge前沿领域、前沿科技、科技前沿
领域lǐngyùn.field; area多个领域、科技领域、教育领域
竞争力jìngzhēnglìn.competitiveness强大的竞争力、提高竞争力、全球竞争力
巨头jùtóun.giant; major player科技巨头、中国巨头、行业巨头
抽象chōuxiàngadj.abstract; hard to picture有点抽象、概念抽象、听起来抽象
大概率dà gàilǜadv.very likely; most likely大概率听过、大概率会成功、大概率不知道
华为Huáwéin.Huawei华为手机、华为技术、华为品牌
信号塔xìnhàotǎn.signal tower5G信号塔、建信号塔、信号塔背后
身影shēnyǐngn.presence; figure看到身影、背后有它的身影、品牌身影
硬刚yìnggāngv.confront head-on; compete directly正面硬刚、跟对手硬刚、硬刚苹果
比亚迪Bǐyǎdín.BYD比亚迪汽车、比亚迪电池、比亚迪品牌
街头巷尾jiētóu xiàngwěiidiomstreets and alleys; everywhere街头巷尾、街头巷尾都能看到
网约车wǎngyuēchēn.ride-hailing car坐网约车、网约车司机、电动网约车
对手duìshǒun.opponent; competitor竞争对手、不是对手、强大的对手
juéadj.awesome; amazing; impressive这个更绝、太绝了、真的很绝
大疆Dàjiāngn.DJI大疆无人机、大疆航拍、大疆产品
震撼zhènhànadj./v.stunning; shock震撼的画面、非常震撼、让人震撼
航拍hángpāin./v.aerial photography航拍镜头、航拍视频、用无人机航拍
无人机wúrénjīn.drone大疆无人机、无人机拍摄、无人机技术
十有八九shí yǒu bā jiǔidiomnine times out of ten; very likely十有八九是、十有八九会、答案十有八九
地步dìbùn.point; extent到……的地步、严重到这个地步、发展到某种地步
字节跳动Zìjié Tiàodòngn.ByteDance字节跳动旗下、字节跳动产品、字节跳动算法
实物shíwùn.physical object生产实物、实物产品、没有实物
算法suànfǎn.algorithm推荐算法、算法抓住眼球、优化算法
眼球yǎnqiún.eyeballs; attention抓住眼球、吸引眼球、全球人的眼球
这波操作zhè bō cāozuòphr.this move; this play这波操作很厉害、这波操作太牛了、看懂这波操作
脑洞nǎodòngn.creative idea; wild imagination脑洞大开、互联网脑洞、脑洞很大
最后提一嘴zuìhòu tí yì zuǐphr.one last thing to mention最后提一嘴某个品牌、顺便提一嘴、简单提一嘴
科技圈kējìquānn.tech circle; tech world科技圈讨论、在科技圈炸开锅、进入科技圈
炸开锅zhà kāi guōidiomcause an uproar; explode with discussion科技圈炸开锅、网上炸开锅、消息一出炸开锅
人工智能大模型réngōng zhìnéng dà móxíngn.large AI model人工智能大模型、训练大模型、使用大模型
性能xìngnéngn.performance性能强、性能提升、产品性能
硅谷Guīgǔn.Silicon Valley硅谷公司、硅谷震惊、来自硅谷
妥妥的tuǒtuǒ dephr.proper; definitely; absolutely妥妥的代表、妥妥的高手、妥妥的中国速度
冰山一角bīngshān yì jiǎoidiomtip of the iceberg只是冰山一角、问题的冰山一角
与此同时yǔ cǐ tóngshíadv.meanwhile; at the same time与此同时,中国企业、与此同时,市场也在变化、与此同时保持开放
开放kāifàngadj./v.open; open up开放态度、保持开放、开放合作
深入合作shēnrù hézuòn./v. phr.deep cooperation进行深入合作、深入合作项目、加强深入合作
开源kāiyuánv./adj.open-source开源技术、开源分享、开源模型
基础设施jīchǔ shèshīn.infrastructure建设基础设施、数字基础设施、交通基础设施
红利hónglìn.dividend; benefits发展红利、分享红利、科技红利
推动tuīdòngv.promote; push forward推动进步、推动发展、推动转型
Part D

课堂讨论 Discussion

Choose some of these questions for class discussion; the rest can be used as after-class homework.

1. 你听说过哪些中国品牌?你对它们的第一印象是什么?
2. “中国制造”和“中国创造”给你的感觉有什么不同?
3. 在你的国家,华为、比亚迪、大疆、TikTok或DeepSeek这样的中国品牌常见吗?
4. 一个国家从“制造”走向“创造”,最需要什么条件?技术、资金、教育还是市场?
5. 你觉得中国品牌走向世界时,最大的优势和挑战分别是什么?
6. 如果你要向朋友介绍一个中国品牌,你会选择哪一个?为什么?

真实任务 Real Task

Choose one Chinese brand mentioned in the reading, or another Chinese brand you know. Prepare a short bilingual pitch: What does it make? Why is it innovative? Would people in your country use it?

Part E

本课重点总结 Key Takeaways

Use this checklist as a quick self-test: choose ✅ if you understand the phrase/expression and can describe or discuss related ideas; choose ❌ if you need more review.

1. 世界工厂

2. 凭借……资源

3. 承接加工制造订单

4. 处于产业链的低端

5. 从中国制造到中国创造的转型

6. 不再仅仅满足于代工

7. 引领科技创新

8. 前沿领域 / 核心技术

9. 十有八九是……

10. 分享发展的红利