VOA标准英语2008年-US Commerce Secretary Encourages Chinese Invest

By Stephanie Ho
Beijing
15 May 2008

U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez is urging Chinese companies to step up their foreign direct investment in the United States.  At the same time, he noted¹ that the huge U.S. trade deficit² with China is fueling protectionist sentiment in the United States.  Stephanie Ho reports from Beijing.

U.S. companies have invested $22 billion in China.  In contrast, Chinese companies, flush with cash from the country's economic boom, only invest about $550 million in the United States.

In a speech to the American Chamber³ of Commerce in China and the U.S.-China Business Council, Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez encouraged more Chinese investment in the United States.

"We can't say it enough, please come to the U.S.  Invest in the U.S.  You will find no better market in the world in which to build a business, create wealth and create opportunities," Gutierrez said.

The secretary said the U.S. government is preparing a
10-city series of programs to introduce Chinese investors⁴ to opportunities in the United States.  At the same time, Washington is also trying to streamline⁵ the application process for U.S. visas for Chinese businesspeople.

One concrete development the U.S. official touted⁶ was the implementation⁷ of an agreement for Chinese tour groups to go to the United States.

"That's a big deal for us," Gutierrez said. "That's the first group travel, first group travel.  Not only is it good for business, it will increase business on both sides, but think of what it will do for the understanding amongst both peoples."

The first Chinese tour group heads to the United States in June.  Gutierrez said tourism is an important business for the United States because the United States has a tourism surplus.

Gutierrez acknowledged that the U.S. trade deficit with China went down slightly in the most recent reporting period.  But he warned that it is still $256 billion and warned that it is fueling American protectionist sentiment.

Some U.S. lawmakers are calling for legislation to impose punitive⁸ tariffs⁹ on Chinese goods if Beijing fails to act on complaints about trade barriers and currency controls.

The U.S. official was in Beijing to meet his new Chinese counterpart, Chen Deming, and Vice¹⁰ Premier¹¹ Wang Qishan, Beijing's envoy¹² to long-running trade talks with Washington. 

1 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

2 deficit   

n.亏空，亏损；赤字，逆差

参考例句：

• The directors have reported a deficit of 2.5 million dollars.董事们报告赤字为250万美元。
• We have a great deficit this year.我们今年有很大亏损。

3 chamber   

n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所

参考例句：

• For many,the dentist's surgery remains a torture chamber.对许多人来说，牙医的治疗室一直是间受刑室。
• The chamber was ablaze with light.会议厅里灯火辉煌。

4 investors   

n.投资者，出资者( investor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a con man who bilked investors out of millions of dollars 诈取投资者几百万元的骗子
• a cash bonanza for investors 投资者的赚钱机会

5 streamline   

vt.使成流线型；使简化；使现代化

参考例句：

• We must streamline our methods.我们必须简化方法。
• Any liquid or gas passing it will have streamline flow.任何通过它的液体或气体将呈流线型的流动。

6 touted   

v.兜售( tout的过去式和过去分词 )；招揽；侦查；探听赛马情报

参考例句：

• She's being touted as the next leader of the party. 她被吹捧为该党的下一任领导人。
• People said that he touted for his mother and sister. 据说，他给母亲和姐姐拉生意。 来自辞典例句

7 implementation   

n.实施，贯彻

参考例句：

• Implementation of the program is now well underway.这一项目的实施现在行情看好。

8 punitive   

adj.惩罚的，刑罚的

参考例句：

• They took punitive measures against the whole gang.他们对整帮人采取惩罚性措施。
• The punitive tariff was imposed to discourage tire imports from China.该惩罚性关税的征收是用以限制中国轮胎进口的措施。

9 tariffs   

关税制度； 关税( tariff的名词复数 )； 关税表； （旅馆或饭店等的）收费表； 量刑标准

参考例句：

• British industry was sheltered from foreign competition by protective tariffs. 保护性关税使英国工业免受国际竞争影响。
• The new tariffs have put a stranglehold on trade. 新的关税制对开展贸易极为不利。

10 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

11 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。

12 envoy   

n.使节，使者，代表，公使

参考例句：

• Their envoy showed no sign of responding to our proposals.他们的代表对我方的提议毫无回应的迹象。
• The government has not yet appointed an envoy to the area.政府尚未向这一地区派过外交官。