VOA慢速英语2014 柬埔寨批评对中国援助的依赖

 

AS IT IS 2014-11-23 Cambodian Opposition¹ Criticize Dependence² on Chinese Aid 柬埔寨批评对中国援助的依赖

Cambodian opposition members say they are worried about the country becoming too dependent on aid money from China.

The Chinese government recently promised more than $500 million in aid for Cambodia. Cambodian officials need about one billion dollars in foreign aid each year to operate the government. The government has a foreign debt of about nine billion dollars.

Son Chhay is with the Cambodia National Rescue Party. He says opposition officials worry about Cambodia owing large amounts of money to foreign countries, including China. He says the debt could slow Cambodia’s economic growth.

He says that, if Cambodia depends on aid money to be able to govern the country, Cambodians could lose part of their economic independence.

Critics also say the aid money should be spent in a more open, transparent³ manner.

Sok Touch is with Khemarak University in Phnom Penh. He says the Chinese aid comes with “no strings⁴ attached” -- meaning China does not expect anything in return. He adds that the aid has no requirements for reform, such as in human rights or the judiciary system, like Western aid does.

A government spokesman says Cambodia is strengthening its economy. Spokesman Phay Siphan says roads, bridges, electricity and water have been major concerns. He says the government will now be more concerned about human resources. He adds that Cambodia needs foreign aid for investments. He adds that such help will make the country more competitive internationally.

But Son Chhay says the country can do with less aid if it does a better job of collecting taxes and stopping corruption⁵ by government officials.

Words in This Story

opposition - n. a group of people set up to defeat someone or something

dependent - v. needing help or support

aid - n. help, assistance

foreign - adj., of, about or from another nation; not from one’s own place or country

1 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

2 dependence   

n.依靠，依赖；信任，信赖；隶属

参考例句：

• Doctors keep trying to break her dependence of the drug.医生们尽力使她戒除毒瘾。
• He was freed from financial dependence on his parents.他在经济上摆脱了对父母的依赖。

3 transparent   

adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的

参考例句：

• The water is so transparent that we can see the fishes swimming.水清澈透明，可以看到鱼儿游来游去。
• The window glass is transparent.窗玻璃是透明的。

4 strings   

n.弦

参考例句：

• He sat on the bed,idly plucking the strings of his guitar.他坐在床上，随意地拨着吉他的弦。
• She swept her fingers over the strings of the harp.她用手指划过竖琴的琴弦。

5 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。