对于21世纪的亚太，人们曾经有不同的看法。有人认为亚太人文荟萃，潜力巨大，前景光明。也有人认为亚太问题丛生，麻烦不断，不容乐观。

cy
People held divided views on the 21th’s APEC. Some regarded it as a talent pool with great potential and bright future, while others were pessimistic about it because of surging troubles.
参考
People used to remain divided over where the Asia-Pacific region would go in the 21st century. Some believed that the Asia-Pacific region would enjoy a bright prospect given its cultural diversity and enormous potential, while others reckoned that the Asia-Pacific region would face a gloomy future as problems and challenges keep cropping up.
分析
人文荟萃 gathering of talents/cultural diversity
前景乐观。The prospect is cheerful.

  • 看法：前景光明(enjoy a bright prospect) vs. 不容乐观(face a gloomy future)
  • 对于21世纪的亚太（何去何从）人们看法不同：over where… would go
  • 亚太：Asia-Pacific region
  • 有不同的看法 remain divided over
  • 认为 believe/reckon

吾辈凡夫，生存在功利社会，终日忙忙碌碌，为柴米油盐所困，酒色财气所惑，既有追求，又有烦恼，若想做到从心所欲，难矣哉！

cy
We normal people are always hustling in the vanity fair, troubled with living necessities and distracted by alcohol, seduction and money. We have something to chase for, and at the same time, to worry about, therefore, it is difficult for us to follow our hearts.
参考
It is hardly possible, if not impossible, for common folks to follow their mind while living in such a hectic, materialistic world where one struggles to meet subsistence needs while fighting off sensual temptations and deals with a perplexing mix of lofty aspirations and worldly distractions.
分析
凡人 ordinary mortal
忙碌 be busy; bustle about; get [have] one’s hand full; be on the go; on one’s toes; have much to do; be occupied (with); be engaged in (doing) sth.; be on the run; be up to the ears in work; be at it; up to the [one’s] eyes in (work); be swamped
柴米油盐 fuel, rice, cooking oil, and salt — daily necessities
从心所欲 have whatever one’s heart desires; do as one pleases; free-wheeling

  • 主句+where
  • 功利社会，终日忙忙碌碌 hectic, materialsitic world
  • 为…所困/为…所惑：struggle to do/fight off… temptations
  • 柴米油盐 subsistence needs 酒色财气 sensual temptations