英伦广角 2011-06-26 温总理英国行

 In the heart of Birmingham, amidst the concrete jungle is a grand pagoda¹ carved from Chinese stone. It's a gift from a family forever grateful for the opportunities they found here.

 

"What does the pagoda symbolize² to you?"

 

"It shows and brings a lot of the Chinese culture and displays that to the local people of Birmingham really."

 

The Yips made their fortune in food. For them, the arrival of the Chinese premier³ in their hometown could bring further riches.

 

"I think it's a great endorsement⁴ of Birmingham. It shows that he sees a lot of potential in Birmingham, and I think he's also by doing that encouraging more investment into the city and also into the UK."

 

Wen Jiabao leads the fastest growing economy in the world. The first stop on his UK visit--Birmingham's MG car plant, once home to Rover, now Shanghai Automotive. Optimists⁵ see opportunity that goes beyond this new and niche⁶ business.

 

"... already told us, they need investment in infrastructure⁷, in automotive technologies, financial services, and town planning, those sorts of things, and looking to buy from the world. And the fact that he's chosen to come to Birmingham and the region shows that we've struck a chord."

 

Currently China is the UK's second largest trading partner outside the EU. Last year, trade between the two countries was worth more than 31 billion pounds. China spent 10.8 billion on products and services made by UK firms. That's up just over 40% on the previous year.

 

"One of the most intriguing⁸ aspects of this visit is the possibility of Chinese involvement in high speed too. The superfast rail link which would rejuvenate⁹ this old rail way station in Birmingham, and mean that London is just 45 minutes away."

 

It's controversial, and what the Chinese influence might be isn't yet clear, but it indicates it is a significant change. It was once Britain, particularly Birmingham that was the workshop of the world. Now global trade is dominated by three words, sharing in the huge profit they generate can go far beyond Beijing.

 

Lisa Dowd, Sky News, Birmingham.

1 pagoda   

n.宝塔（尤指印度和远东的多层宝塔），（印度教或佛教的）塔式庙宇

参考例句：

• The ancient pagoda is undergoing repairs.那座古塔正在修缮中。
• The pagoda is reflected upside down in the water.宝塔影子倒立在水里。

2 symbolize   

vt.作为...的象征，用符号代表

参考例句：

• Easter eggs symbolize the renewal of life.复活蛋象征新生。
• Dolphins symbolize the breath of life.海豚象征着生命的气息。

3 premier   

adj.首要的；n.总理，首相

参考例句：

• The Irish Premier is paying an official visit to Britain.爱尔兰总理正在对英国进行正式访问。
• He requested that the premier grant him an internview.他要求那位总理接见他一次。

4 endorsement   

n.背书；赞成，认可，担保；签(注)，批注

参考例句：

• We are happy to give the product our full endorsement.我们很高兴给予该产品完全的认可。
• His presidential campaign won endorsement from several celebrities.他参加总统竞选得到一些社会名流的支持。

5 optimists   

n.乐观主义者( optimist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Even optimists admit the outlook to be poor. 甚至乐观的人都认为前景不好。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Optimists reckon house prices will move up with inflation this year. 乐观人士认为今年的房价将会随通货膨胀而上涨。 来自辞典例句

6 niche   

n.壁龛；合适的职务(环境、位置等)

参考例句：

• Madeleine placed it carefully in the rocky niche. 玛德琳小心翼翼地把它放在岩石壁龛里。
• The really talented among women would always make their own niche.妇女中真正有才能的人总是各得其所。

7 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

8 intriguing   

adj.有趣的；迷人的v.搞阴谋诡计(intrigue的现在分词)；激起…的好奇心

参考例句：

• These discoveries raise intriguing questions. 这些发现带来了非常有趣的问题。
• It all sounds very intriguing. 这些听起来都很有趣。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 rejuvenate   

v.(使)返老还童；(使)恢复活力

参考例句：

• The mountain air will rejuvenate you.山里的空气会使你恢复活力。
• Exercise is perhaps the most effective way to rejuvenate your skin.锻炼可能是使皮肤恢复活力的最好手段。