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even though we westerners have no cheng yu we at least have parables, proverbs, key phrases. Here is an example:

Jingjing's reporting is always willing to "grasp the nettle": she goes into the tough thorny unseen facts to help us all "smell the roses".

We can, but not usually, use quote marks to show the phrases.

Grasp the nettle means: to be willing to engage with (grasp) tough truths even though there are painful facts (thorns) hoping thereby for beauty (nettles also have flowers)

Smell the roses: though roses have thorns we ought enjoy their fragrance = to accept fine things & overlook minor problems (that can be overcome)

Nettle - Scottish Flower

Rose - English Flower

I am NOT the foreign & commonwealth office: but Chinese policies that seek peace & wealth built a better planet, Now, in China.

NEXT!

加油!

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