VOA标准英语2008年-US Treasury Secretary: Chinese Economic Expansi

U.S. Treasury¹ Secretary Henry Paulson says Americans should not fear China's growing economic clout², but rather see it as an opportunity that can benefit both China and the United States, if the two countries forge a successful strategic economic relationship in the years ahead. VOA's Michael Bowman has details form Washington.
　
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson speaks during a news conference (File)

The last decade has seen China emerge as a global economic powerhouse, with astonishing growth rates averaging nearly 10 percent a year and large trade surpluses. Some economists³ say, by the middle of this century, China's economic output could match or possibly exceed that of the United States.

Given a slowing U.S. economy, the loss of American manufacturing jobs overseas, and America's reliance on China to help finance the growing U.S. national debt, polls show many Americans apprehensive⁴ about the current trajectory⁵ of U.S.-Chinese economic relations.

Treasury Secretary Paulson says Americans should not feel threatened by China's economic success.

"Frankly⁶, China's economic growth is important to global economic growth, and is a positive for the United States. The real concern should be, if China stumbles or has problems along the way, and that this hurts global markets, the global economy, hurts our economy," he said.

Paulson was speaking in a conference call with reporters. He made a similar argument in an article appearing in the current issue of Foreign Affairs magazine. In the article, Paulson urged the next U.S. president to expand the U.S.-China strategic economic dialogue, which began two years ago, and provides a regular forum⁷ for officials of both nations to address issues of mutual⁸ economic concern.

Paulson says there are many areas where the United States and China can cooperate. As an example, he pointed⁹ to energy and environmental matters.

"We have very much of a shared interest in the energy area. We are both very large importers of oil; we share the same energy security issues; we both are hurt by disruptions, and we both benefit if there is more efficiency," he added. "There are a number of ways we can collaborate¹⁰. And on the environmental issues, we cannot solve climate issues without cooperation and engagement with China and the development of new technologies."

While stressing the positive aspects of a deepening U.S.-Chinese economic relationship, Paulson is urging China to allow its currency to appreciate, to allow its citizens to spend more freely, to reduce restrictions¹¹ on foreign investment, and to better protect intellectual property rights.

 

1 treasury   

n.宝库；国库，金库；文库

参考例句：

• The Treasury was opposed in principle to the proposals.财政部原则上反对这些提案。
• This book is a treasury of useful information.这本书是有价值的信息宝库。

2 clout   

n.用手猛击；权力，影响力

参考例句：

• The queen may have privilege but she has no real political clout.女王有特权，但无真正的政治影响力。
• He gave the little boy a clout on the head.他在那小男孩的头部打了一下。

3 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》

4 apprehensive   

adj.担心的，恐惧的，善于领会的

参考例句：

• She was deeply apprehensive about her future.她对未来感到非常担心。
• He was rather apprehensive of failure.他相当害怕失败。

5 trajectory   

n.弹道，轨道

参考例句：

• It is not difficult to sketch the subsequent trajectory.很容易描绘出它们最终的轨迹。
• The path followed by a projectile is called its trajectory.抛物体所循的路径称为它的轨道。

6 frankly   

adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说

参考例句：

• To speak frankly, I don't like the idea at all.老实说，我一点也不赞成这个主意。
• Frankly speaking, I'm not opposed to reform.坦率地说，我不反对改革。

7 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

8 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。

9 pointed   

adj.尖的，直截了当的

参考例句：

• He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
• She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。

10 collaborate   

vi.协作，合作；协调

参考例句：

• The work gets done more quickly when we collaborate.我们一旦合作，工作做起来就更快了。
• I would ask you to collaborate with us in this work.我们愿意请你们在这项工作中和我们合作。

11 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制