2006年VOA标准英语-Philippines Hopes to Finalize Japan Trade

By Steve Herman
Tokyo
05 April 2006
 
The Philippines says it is very close to signing a wide-ranging economic agreement with Japan. The Philippines has also become the first nation to indicate support for Japan's proposed ambitious Asian free-trade block.

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Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, Alberto Romulo, left, and Chief Cabinet Secretary to Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Shinzo Abe, right  
  

After meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and other top officials in Tokyo, Philippines Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo told reporters the two countries are close to concluding a wide-ranging economic partnership¹.

"Since it encompasses³ trade and investment, tourism, as well as professional people and skills, this will define our relationship for the next decade or so," he said.

The Philippines is hoping the free-trade deal can be reached by July 23 - the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Tokyo and Manila and that the Japanese prime minister will accept an invitation to sign the agreement in the Philippine capital.

The deal has been in the works for two years. But a significant outstanding issue appears to be the number of nurses and other health care workers from the Philippines the Japanese government is willing to accept.

Philippine officials say Tokyo wants to set a quota⁴ for the number of Filipino nurses and midwives allowed to work in Japan, but Manila wants the number determined⁵ by demand.

The Philippines also became the first country to publicly support a plan announced Tuesday by Japan to create a 16-nation Asian free-trade zone that would encompass² half the world's population. 
 
 
Philippines Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo speaking to reporters at Japan Nat'l Press Club, Tokyo, March 5, 2006
  
Foreign Secretary Romulo gave his endorsement⁶ of the proposal in his meeting with reporters.

"We are for that and we certainly would not mind joining it," he said.

Japan's trade minister is to formally propose the pact⁷ at a government economic council meeting on Friday.

Officials here say they want to see negotiations⁸ begin in two years toward an agreement in 2010.

The proposed free trade zone would include Japan, China, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand and the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

1 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

2 encompass   

vt.围绕，包围；包含，包括；完成

参考例句：

• The course will encompass physics,chemistry and biology.课程将包括物理、化学和生物学。
• The project will encompass rural and underdeveloped areas in China.这项工程将覆盖中国的农村和不发达地区。

3 encompasses   

v.围绕( encompass的第三人称单数 )；包围；包含；包括

参考例句：

• The job encompasses a wide range of responsibilities. 这项工作涉及的职责范围很广。
• Its conservation law encompasses both its magnitude and its direction. 它的守恒定律包括大小和方向两方面。 来自辞典例句

4 quota   

n.（生产、进出口等的）配额，（移民的）限额

参考例句：

• A restricted import quota was set for meat products.肉类产品设定了进口配额。
• He overfulfilled his production quota for two months running.他一连两个月超额完成生产指标。

5 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

6 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。

7 pact   

n.合同，条约，公约，协定

参考例句：

• The two opposition parties made an electoral pact.那两个反对党订了一个有关选举的协定。
• The trade pact between those two countries came to an end.那两国的通商协定宣告结束。

8 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。