万花筒 2013-06-18&06-20 外交部对斯诺登事件不予置评

 Officials in Beijing are distancing themselves from the issue of National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden. 

 

During a regular Foreign Ministry¹ briefing on Thursday the spokesperson told reporters: Sorry, but we don't have information on this right now. But they may have some later. 

 

Since relocating to Hongkong after his tell-all revelation about the United States Government's secret phone and Internet data monitoring program, Snowden has spoken to the English language newspaper the South China Morning Post. During an interview, Snowden said he'd fight extradition² charges in court should the US issue an arrest warrant. He said he plans to let the people and authorities of Hongkong decide his fate.

 

And for now at least they appeared to support him. A small rally sprung up in front of the US consulate³ with demonstrators holding signs calling for Snowden to be allowed to remain at liberty. A larger march in Snowden's honour is planned for this weekend.

1 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

2 extradition   

n.引渡（逃犯）

参考例句：

• The smuggler is in prison tonight,awaiting extradition to Britain.这名走私犯今晚在监狱，等待引渡到英国。
• He began to trouble concerning the extradition laws.他开始费尽心思地去想关于引渡法的问题。

3 consulate   

n.领事馆

参考例句：

• The Spanish consulate is the large white building opposite the bank.西班牙领事馆是银行对面的那栋高大的白色建筑物。
• The American consulate was a magnificent edifice in the centre of Bordeaux.美国领事馆是位于波尔多市中心的一座宏伟的大厦。