VOA慢速英语2015 美国承诺1800万美元购买越南巡逻船

AS IT IS 2015-06-02 US Promises $18 Million for Vietnam to Buy Patrol Boats 美国承诺1800万美元购买越南巡逻船

The United States has promised $18 million to help Vietnam buy American-made coast guard patrol boats to improve its sea defenses.

U.S. Defense¹ Secretary Ashton Carter was in Vietnam Monday to increase military ties between the two countries. As part of that effort, he and Vietnam’s defense minister signed what officials called a “vision statement” to guide the expansion of U.S.-Vietnamese cooperation.

Secretary Carter examined a Vietnamese naval² patrol boat during a visit to a naval base at Haiphong. A Chinese ship had struck and damaged the boat last year in waters claimed by Vietnam in the South China Sea.

Mr. Carter said the United States opposes militarization and the creation of tensions in the South China Sea. He called for a halt to land reclamation³ activities by all countries claiming territory in the waterway.

Vietnam is among several countries with island-building projects in the South China Sea. However, China has the largest such projects under development.

China rejects US criticism of its activities in the South China Sea

Over the weekend, China rejected U.S. criticism of its land reclamation efforts in the South China Sea. The subject was one of many discussed at a security conference, which ended on Sunday.

The meeting, known as the Shangri-La Dialog, took place in Singapore. One of the speakers was Chinese Admiral Sun Jianguo. He described his country’s efforts to develop the South China Sea as “justified, legitimate⁴ and reasonable. And he added that China is performing “international public services.”

He said, “There are no changes in China’s claims in the South China Sea. Nor are there changes in China’s position on the peaceful resolution of the relevant disputes through negotiation⁵ and consultation⁶.”

The Chinese military officer spoke⁷ to a group of military officers, diplomats⁸, Asian experts and news reporters. The admiral was asked for clarification of his comments. But he offered none.

That left most everyone attending concerned about China’s plans for the South China Sea, said Bonnie Glaser. She studies Asian issues for the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

“To simply read prepared answers to questions demonstrates, I think, an in-your-face dismissal of the concerns that were expressed here by members of the international community. And I think there will really be great disappointment.”

U.S. Defense Secretary Carter also spoke at the conference. He said China’s activities in disputed waters put it, in his words, “out of step with both the international rules and norms that underscore the Asia-Pacific security architecture.”

“Our position, just to be clear, is that all of the claimants to be the South China Sea dispute should halt reclamation, not further militarize those features and pursue a peaceful resolution.”

U.S. military officials say their ships and airplanes will not obey Chinese calls to stay away from parts of the South China Sea. They say the U.S. military is operating in international waters and air space. In May, a U.S. spy plane flew over several man-made islands in the disputed area. The plane ignored eight warning messages from the Chinese Navy.

The Chinese government claims many small islands in the South China Sea as its territories. But other nations disagree. Many of them have their own competing claims in the area.

Words in This Story

patrol – adj. to guard or observe; to go through an area in an effort to make sure that it is safe

vision – n. the ability to see

militarization – n. the build-up of military forces and equipment

reclamation – n. development of an area; in this example, the expansion of islands and coral reefs

clarification – n. making something easier to understand

1 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

2 naval   

adj.海军的，军舰的，船的

参考例句：

• He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
• The harbour is an important naval base.该港是一个重要的海军基地。

3 reclamation   

n.开垦；改造；（废料等的）回收

参考例句：

• We should encourage reclamation and recycling.我们应当鼓励废物的回收和利用。
• The area is needed for a land reclamation project.一个土地开垦项目要在这一地区进行。

4 legitimate   

adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法

参考例句：

• Sickness is a legitimate reason for asking for leave.生病是请假的一个正当的理由。
• That's a perfectly legitimate fear.怀有这种恐惧完全在情理之中。

5 negotiation   

n.谈判，协商

参考例句：

• They closed the deal in sugar after a week of negotiation.经过一星期的谈判，他们的食糖生意成交了。
• The negotiation dragged on until July.谈判一直拖到7月份。

6 consultation   

n.咨询；商量；商议；会议

参考例句：

• The company has promised wide consultation on its expansion plans.该公司允诺就其扩展计划广泛征求意见。
• The scheme was developed in close consultation with the local community.该计划是在同当地社区密切磋商中逐渐形成的。

7 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

8 diplomats   

n.外交官( diplomat的名词复数 )；有手腕的人，善于交际的人

参考例句：

• These events led to the expulsion of senior diplomats from the country. 这些事件导致一些高级外交官被驱逐出境。
• The court has no jurisdiction over foreign diplomats living in this country. 法院对驻本国的外交官无裁判权。 来自《简明英汉词典》