VOA慢速英语2015 中国增加对南太平洋国家援助

AS IT IS 2015-03-05 China's Aid to South Pacific Rises 中国增加对南太平洋国家援助

A new report says China has provided South Pacific countries with financial assistance worth more than a billion dollars in 10 years. The Lowy Institute for International Policy based in Sydney, Australia, did a report on China’s aid program. It is the first comprehensive study of China’s growing aid program for the South Pacific.

The report says China is likely to become the region's third-biggest donor¹ after Australia and the United States. The Institute says the aid seems mostly to be a good deed by a responsible global citizen. It also says the financial assistance might be a way to ease tensions. 

Researchers say a growth in new Chinese companies and an increase of Chinese migrants to South Pacific islands have caused tensions.

Chinese fishing and mining operations are causing special concern among island communities. The largest Chinese investment project in the region is the $1.6 billion Ramu Nickel mine in Papua New Guinea. It is disputed because of concerns about its effect on the environment. But China hopes to present a more positive image of itself as a major aid donor.

The Lowy Institute looked at information from 500 sources, including budgets, business documents and government statements. It is the first major study on the subject.

Since 2006, China alone has provided $1.4 billion in foreign aid to the South Pacific region. Australia remains² the largest donor, providing almost $7 billion over the last 10 years.

China has diplomatic relations with eight South Pacific island nations: the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu.

Words in This Story

region – n. a part of a country, of the world, etc., that is different or separate from other parts in some way

donor – n. a person or group that gives something (such as money, food, or clothes) in order to help a person or organization

positive – adj. good or useful

comprehensive - adj. including many, most, or all things

deed – n. something that is done: an act or action

global – adj. involving the entire world

1 donor   

n.捐献者；赠送人；(组织、器官等的)供体

参考例句：

• In these cases,the recipient usually takes care of the donor afterwards.在这类情况下，接受捐献者以后通常会照顾捐赠者。
• The Doctor transplanted the donor's heart to Mike's chest cavity.医生将捐赠者的心脏移植进麦克的胸腔。

2 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。