The difference between 继续, 持续, and 延续
We use all three of these verbs to indicate the continuation of an action, but we should use them in different contexts.
The verb 继续
We use the verb 继续 
to indicate the continuation of something after a break.
to indicate the continuation of something after a break.Examples
那些鸟儿返巢继续孵卵
Those birds returned to their nests to continue hatching eggs
nà xiē niǎo er fǎn cháo jìxù fūluǎn
他将会继续担任荣誉主席
He will remain as an honorary chairman
tā jiāng huì jìxù dānrèn róngyù zhǔxí
她喝了些咖啡继续讲
She drank some coffee and continued to talk
tā hē le xiē kāfēi jìxù jiǎng
We usually use the verb 继续 in the following set expressions:
继续下去
继续努力
继续努力 The verb 持续
We use the verb 持续 to indicate the continuation of something without interruption, or to express the maintaining of a current position.
to indicate the continuation of something without interruption, or to express the maintaining of a current position.Examples
改革的呼声持续高涨
The call for reform continues to grow
gǎigé de hūshēng chíxù gāozhàng
你看这暴风雨会持续多久？
How long will this storm last? What do you think?
nǐ kàn zhè bàofēngyǔ huì chíxù duōjiǔ
如果疼痛持续不消退，要请医生诊治
If the pain remains, you should see a doctor
rúguǒ téngtòng chíxù bù xiāotuì, yào qǐng yīshēng zhěnzhì
We usually use the verb 持续 in the following set expressions:
持续下降
持续发展
持续作用
持续改变
持续下去
持续发展
持续作用
持续改变
持续下去 The verb 延续
We also use the verb 延续 to indicate the continuation of something without interruption, but it’s mostly used with abstract objects.
For example, objects such as “dream”, “life”, “traditions”.
to indicate the continuation of something without interruption, but it’s mostly used with abstract objects.
For example, objects such as “dream”, “life”, “traditions”.Examples
中国的历史延续了五千年
China's history extends over 5,000 years
zhōngguó de lìshǐ yánxù le wǔqiān nián
这是一个将要延续多年的糟糕困境
This is a bad problem that will last for years
zhè shì yí ge jiāngyào yánxù duōnián de zāogāo kùnjìng
地球上的生命将无法延续，除非人口增长得到控制
Life on Earth will not continue unless population growth is controlled
dìqiú shàng de shēngmìng jiāng wúfǎ yánxù, chúfēi rénkǒu zēngzhǎng dédào kòngzhì
We usually use the verb 延续 in the following set expressions:
历史延续
传统延续
生命延续
希望延续
延续下去
传统延续
生命延续
希望延续
延续下去 As a noun
Sometimes we can use 延续 as a noun in the meaning of “continuation”.
Examples
本章是第8章的延续
This chapter is a continuation of chapter 8
běn zhāng shì dì bā zhāng de yánxù
这门课程是初级课程的延续
This course is a continuation of the beginner’s course
zhè mén kèchéng shì chūjí kèchéng de yánxù