英语杂谈：27 China, U.S. eye Africa

It's a hot frontier for global investment. And both China and the US want a stake. So far this year, President Obama has visited Ghana and Egypt. Secretary of State Clinton wrapped a seven-nation African tour. President Hu stopped in Mali, Senegal, Tanzania, and Mauritius. Premier¹ Wen just attended the China-Africa Forum² in Egypt. As the son of a Kenyan, President Obama may have won African hearts. But China's deep pockets have been winning over African governments.
The US is already on the back foot in Africa. The American public may not be terribly aware. But basically, most of Africa thinks that it's a great thing that China has come into the game.
In the last year, China has struck deal after deal to build infrastructure³ in Africa in exchange for natural resources. Critics say China's actions have propped⁴ up dictatorships in Sudan and Zimbabwe. But leaders indicate Africa will take money from anyone who's giving.
Foreign direct investment has no fixed⁵ allegiance or nationality. It goes where it is most welcome.
China recently pledged ten billion dollars in loans to Africa. China's foreign direct investment in Africa is up almost 80 percent this year. Trade has multiplied ten times this decade to 107 billion dollars. Huge African communities have formed in China filled with traders and entrepreneurs who want to realize the Chinese dream.
There’s a huge number of students that come from Africa on scholarship funded by the Chinese government. And there is a lot of businessmen that come from Africa buy goods and do trading.
Aside from supporting increased agriculture investment, analysts⁶ say President Obama has yet to solidify⁷ his Africa strategy, but stress it's not necessarily a competition, but a chance for the US and China to cooperate and make vital changes on the developing continent.
Clearly there is a great potential there. We should put the interests of the African people in the center of these considerations.
But the vast opportunities in Africa are not without challenges. Poverty, corruption⁸, and instability are constantly changing the game. The question is how the US and China choose to play.
 

1 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。

2 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。

3 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。

4 propped   

支撑，支持，维持( prop的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He sat propped up in the bed by pillows. 他靠着枕头坐在床上。
• This fence should be propped up. 这栅栏该用东西支一支。

5 fixed   

adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的

参考例句：

• Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？
• Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定，我们就不应该随意改变。

6 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。

7 solidify   

v.(使)凝固，(使)固化，(使)团结

参考例句：

• Opinion on this question began to solidify.对这个问题的意见开始具体化了。
• Water will solidify into ice if you freeze it.水冷冻会结冰。

8 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。