美国航母越战后首次访问越南

US Aircraft Carrier Makes First Visit to Vietnam Since War

An American aircraft carrier has arrived at a Vietnamese port for the first time since the Vietnam War.

The USS Carl Vinson arrived Monday in the central city of Danang and will remain for several days. Two other U.S. Navy ships are also visiting. The carrier has more than 5,000 crew members.

The U.S. carrier’s vis it was first announced in January during a visit to Vietnam by U.S. Defense¹ Secretary Jim Mattis. The two countries normalized relations in 1995 and have greatly expanded ties in many areas. A U.S. arms embargo² was lifted in 2016.

The arrival of the USS Carl Vinson marks the biggest U.S. military presence in Vietnam since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975.

The U.S. ambassador to Vietnam, Daniel Kritenbrink, said in a statement the historic visit shows the “dramatic progress” in U.S.-Vietnamese relations in recent years.

“Through hard work, mutual³ respect, and by continuing to address the past while we work toward a better future, we have gone from former enemies to close partners,” the ambassador added.

The first U.S. Marines arrived in Danang in 1965, marking the start of major American involvement in the Vietnam War. About 58,000 American soldiers and an estimated 3 million Vietnamese were killed in the war.

Danang was a major U.S. military base during that time. It is now Vietnam’s third-largest city and a place many people visit for vacation. Some city residents said they welcomed the Navy visit.

“During the war, I was scared when I saw American soldiers,” 55-year-old Tran Thi Luyen told the Associated Press. He operates a small shop in the city.

“Now the aircraft carrier comes with a completely different mission, a mission of peace and promoting economic and military cooperation between the two countries,” he said.

Huynh Quang Nguyen, a taxi driver, said he was “happy and excited” about the visit. “Increased cooperation between the two countries in economic, diplomatic and military areas would serve as a counterbalance to Beijing’s,” he said.

He was speaking about the growing influence of China across the region. China has been building up man-made islands in the South China Sea in recent years that can support military structures. The expansion has angered Vietnam and other nations in the area which also have territorial⁴ claims in the South China Sea.

Le Hong Hiep is with the Singapore-based ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. He told the Associated Press the Carl Vinson’s visit can be a clear sign to China that the U.S. is committed to keeping strong ties in the area.

“Although the visit is mainly symbolic⁵ and would not be able to change China’s behavior - especially in the South China Sea - it is still necessary in conveying the message that the U.S. will be there to stay,” he said.

Le, however, added that China knows Vietnam is not likely to side with the U.S. militarily to challenge Chinese expansion.

I’m Bryan Lynn.

Words in This Story

dramatic – adj. attracting attention: causing people to carefully look or listen, while often showing a lot of emotion

mutual – adj. shared between two or more people or groups

counterbalance – n. adding balance to something by being opposite

symbolic – adj. expressing or representing something without using words

convey – v. make something known to someone

challenge – v. to say or show that something may not be true or correct

1 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

2 embargo   

n.禁运（令）；vt.对...实行禁运，禁止（通商）

参考例句：

• This country put an oil embargo on an enemy country.该国对敌国实行石油禁运。
• During the war,they laid an embargo on commerce with enemy countries.在战争期间，他们禁止与敌国通商。

3 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。

4 territorial   

adj.领土的，领地的

参考例句：

• The country is fighting to preserve its territorial integrity.该国在为保持领土的完整而进行斗争。
• They were not allowed to fish in our territorial waters.不允许他们在我国领海捕鱼。

5 symbolic   

adj.象征性的，符号的，象征主义的

参考例句：

• It is symbolic of the fighting spirit of modern womanhood.它象征着现代妇女的战斗精神。
• The Christian ceremony of baptism is a symbolic act.基督教的洗礼仪式是一种象征性的做法。