China’s economic strength has increased significantly. In 2008, GDP totaled over 13,000 billion Yuan, up nearly 200% since 1990, ranking first among developing countries and third worldwide. China is ranking at or near the top in many important economic measures. China’s foreign exchange reserves soared from US $5.55 billion in 1989 to US $1950 billion by the end of 2008, ranking first worldwide. Grain reserves also hit an all-time high. The quality and efficiency of economic performance have improved steadily. Chinese enterprises have undertaken complete technological renovation. From 1990 to 2008, the energy consumption for 10,000 Yuan worth of GDP dropped by 73.3%. 35 large Chinese companies have entered the ranks of the global top 500 this year. With a renewed focus on education and unprecedented development of the educational system, Chinese peoples’ quality has improved dramatically. Revenue has also gained sharp increases, reaching 6131.69 billion Yuan in 2008.

Notes:

(1) economic strength 经济实力

a. Changes in fashion come from changes in economic strength. 
时尚的变化来自于实力的变化.
b. Economic strength: Beijing's economy experienced sustained and rapid growth. 
经济实力: 全市经济持续快速增长.
c. Keep within the limits of the national economic strength. 
控制在国民经济可以承受的范围之内. 

(2) significantly  ad.

 a. in a way that is large or important enough to have an effect on sth or to be noticed 有重大意义地；显著地；明显地

The two sets of figures are not significantly different.
这两组数字没有明显的差别。
b. in a way that has a particular meaning 有某种意义

Significantly, he did not deny that there might be an election.
值得注意的是，他没有否认可能举行选举。
c. in a way that has a special or secret meaning 别有含义地；意味深长地

She paused significantly before she answered.
她在回答之前意味深长地停顿了一下。

(3) rank first 第一

a. We now rank first class at municipal ( city ) level. 
本馆现为地 ( 市 ) 级一级馆.
b. Our products rank first among similar products. 
我们的产品在同类产品中名列榜首.
c. Results 9 patients developed biliary complications, which, of all kinds of abdominal complications, rank first. 
结果9例病人术后发生胆道合并症, 占各种腹部合并症的首位. 

(4)  外汇储备 foreign exchange reserves

a. High foreign exchange reserves and strong commodity markets are also helping sentiment.
庞大的外汇储备和走势强劲的大宗商品市场也推升了市场人气.
b. China's foreign exchange reserves are now the world's largest. 
中国外汇存底目前居全球之冠.
c. China currently has more than $ 1 , 900 bn in foreign exchange reserves. 
中国目前拥有超过1.9万亿美元的外汇储备.   

(5) soar v.

a. if the value, amount or level of sth soars , it rises very quickly 急升；猛增

Unemployment has soared to 18%.

失业率猛升到了18%。
b. ~ (up) (into sth) to rise quickly and smoothly up into the air 升空；升腾

The rocket soared (up) into the air.
火箭升空。
c. to fly very high in the air or remain high in the air 高飞；翱翔

an eagle soaring high above the cliffs
在山崖上空高高翱翔的鹰
d. to be very high or tall 高耸；耸立

The building soared above us.
在我们眼前，那座大楼巍然高耸。
e. when music soars , it becomes higher or louder （音乐）升高，增强

soaring strings
高昂的弦乐

(6)  unprecedented  a.

that has never happened, been done or been known before 前所未有的；空前的；没有先例的

a. The situation is unprecedented in modern times.
这种情况在现代还没有出现过。

b. Each home boasts an unprecedented level of quality throughout. 

每家的质量都堪称一流。

c. China's industry is developing at an unprecedented rate. 
中国工业正以空前的速度发展.   

参考译文:

中国的经济实力明显增强。2008年国内生产总值超过13万亿元，与1990年增长近两倍，排名世界第三，发展中国家第一。不少重要产品质量跃居世界首位。外汇储备1989年只有55.5亿美元，2008年底已增加到1.95万亿美元，跃居世界第一位。粮食储备创历史最高水平。经济运行的质量和效益不断提高。企业进行了全面的技术改造。2008年每万元国内生产总值消耗的能源比1990年下降73.7%。今年已有35家大企业进入世界500强。教育事业得到了前所未有的发展，国民素质普遍提高。财政收入大幅度增加，2008年达到61316.9亿元。