VOA标准英语10月-Global Interest Rate Cuts Steady Asia Markets

Asia's stock markets are calming down after days of heavy selling. Economists¹ and market analysts² say coordinated³ interest rate cuts in the United States and other countries helped steady investor⁴ nerves. But, as Ron Corben reports from Bangkok, many people in the region are concerned the global economic crisis is going to hurt their livelihoods⁵.

Interest rates cuts by central banks in South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan on Thursday followed cuts in the United States, Europe and China overnight.

Anusorn Buranankanonda, managing director of BT Asset Management in Thailand, says the cuts had a calming effect.

"The markets are still very skeptical⁶ about what the real impact is going to be, but at least from the psychological viewpoint this rate cut has already improved some sentiment," Anusorn said. "Most markets were panicked yesterday; although there was some selling pressure but the pressure was not as intense as yesterday."
　

People look at a stock board flashing the day's ending stock prices in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, 09 Oct 2008

On Thursday, the panic selling seen for most of the week eased. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index gained more than three percent, and Seoul's Kospi was up more than half a percent. Other markets saw losses, but they were far milder than on Wednesday. In Tokyo, the Nikkei average lost just half a percent, after plunging⁷ nine percent a day earlier.

Around the world, central bank chiefs and finance ministers have struggled for weeks to stem the credit crisis and soothe⁸ shaky financial markets. Even China's communist-run government joined the effort.

Gang, a spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry⁹, explained Thursday what Beijing is doing.

Qin says that in facing this international financial crisis, the Chinese government has stated its position on many occasions, that the international community should maintain confidence, work together, to overcome this difficulty. He says the central bank and other Chinese authorities are keeping close communication and contact with other countries' authorities.

Economists say that despite efforts to avoid a financial meltdown, the global economy is likely to slow in the months ahead, especially in the U.S. and Europe.

In Asia, workers and business owners are worried.

Chittiprapa sells shirts in a Bangkok street market, a business that is heavily dependent on tourists from Europe and the U.S.

"Now America there is a problem; I think not more tourists come to Thailand," Chittiprapa said. "About the next two to three months the problem more than this, not more tourists come to Thailand. I think now everyone, everywhere will have a problem."

The International Monetary¹⁰ Fund earlier this week cut its global growth outlook to 3.9 percent for 2008 - the lowest in six years and bordering on what the IMF considers potential recession levels.

1 economists   

n.经济学家，经济专家( economist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The sudden rise in share prices has confounded economists. 股价的突然上涨使经济学家大惑不解。
• Foreign bankers and economists cautiously welcomed the minister's initiative. 外国银行家和经济学家对部长的倡议反应谨慎。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

3 coordinated   

adj.协调的

参考例句：

• The sound has to be coordinated with the picture. 声音必须和画面协调一致。
• The numerous existing statutes are complicated and poorly coordinated. 目前繁多的法令既十分复杂又缺乏快调。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

4 investor   

n.投资者，投资人

参考例句：

• My nephew is a cautious investor.我侄子是个小心谨慎的投资者。
• The investor believes that his investment will pay off handsomely soon.这个投资者相信他的投资不久会有相当大的收益。

5 livelihoods   

生计，谋生之道( livelihood的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• First came the earliest individualistic pioneers who depended on hunting and fishing for their livelihoods. 走在最前面的是早期的个人主义先驱者，他们靠狩猎捕鱼为生。 来自英汉非文学 - 政府文件
• With little influence over policies, their traditional livelihoods are threatened. 因为马赛族人对政策的影响力太小，他们的传统生计受到了威胁。

6 skeptical   

adj.怀疑的，多疑的

参考例句：

• Others here are more skeptical about the chances for justice being done.这里的其他人更为怀疑正义能否得到伸张。
• Her look was skeptical and resigned.她的表情是将信将疑而又无可奈何。

7 plunging   

adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降

参考例句：

• War broke out again, plunging the people into misery and suffering. 战祸复发，生灵涂炭。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• He is plunging into an abyss of despair. 他陷入了绝望的深渊。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 soothe   

v.安慰；使平静；使减轻；缓和；奉承

参考例句：

• I've managed to soothe him down a bit.我想方设法使他平静了一点。
• This medicine should soothe your sore throat.这种药会减轻你的喉痛。

9 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。

10 monetary   

adj.货币的，钱的；通货的；金融的；财政的

参考例句：

• The monetary system of some countries used to be based on gold.过去有些国家的货币制度是金本位制的。
• Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题。