Today, the People’s Republic of China boasts hundreds of skyscrapers (usually defined as buildings more than 500ft (152 m) tall. The skyline of Pudong, Shanghai’s new commercial centre, is a forest of extravagant skyscrapers and when it opens in 2015, the twisting Shanghai Tower, designed by the US firm Gensler, with Jun Xia, as lead architect, will be the world’s second tallest building at 2,073ft (632m).

　　现如今，中国也有越来越多的摩天大楼(一般指高度在152米以上的大楼)拔地而起。在浦东新区这个上海市的新商业中心里，高楼林立，即将投入使用的螺旋式建筑--上海中心大厦楼高632米(2073英尺)，将成为世界第二高楼，该楼由美国Gensler公司设计，夏军担任主要设计师。

　　The Chinese are likely to want to go much higher than this. Oil-rich Middle Eastern states, kingdoms and emirates are competing with China, while other countries keen to display newfound wealth have joined in this slightly inane numbers game. Where will it all end?

　　中国人可能还想要建更高的楼。而石油储备丰富的中东国家正在与中国相互竞争，其他一些热衷于“炫富”的国家也加入了这场几乎毫无意义的竞争游戏。什么时候是个头呢?

　　After the Burj Khalifa and the Shanghai Tower, the world’s third tallest building is the Mecca Royal Hotel Clock Tower. The Mecca tower, designed by Dar Al-Handasah architects, is 1,972ft (601m) high. Clearly, the upward look to the heavens, along with ambition, competition and trade, remain the driving forces behind a building type that will aim ever higher in the 21st Century and beyond.

　　排在哈利法塔和上海中心大厦之后的世界第三高楼是麦加皇家钟塔，高度为601米(1972英尺)。显然，跟随摩天大楼一起耸入云霄的还有人们的勃勃雄心，贸易的竞争、财富的积累都会推动着21世纪的摩天大楼越建越高。

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（责任编辑：何莹莹）