VOA标准英语10月-Asian, European Leaders Meet to Restore Confidenc

Asian and European leaders are meeting in the Chinese capital to discuss ways to increase confidence in world markets. Chinese President Hu Jintao has said uncertainties¹ and instability are increasing in China's economy as a result of the global financial crisis. Daniel Schearf reports from Beijing.

Leaders from over 40 European and Asian countries met in Beijing Friday to encourage solidarity² in facing the crisis.

Global financial problems were at the top of the agenda as they gathered for the first day of the two-day Asia-Europe Meeting, known as ASEM.
　

President Hu Jintao speaks at the opening ceremony of the 7th Asia-Europe Meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, 24 Oct 2008

China's President, Hu Jintao, addressed the opening ceremony carried live on national television. He said the crisis was increasing instability in China's economy and that concerted efforts were needed to shore-up their interdependent economies.

He says China's economic growth faces various hardships and challenges. He says for China's economy to maintain a healthy state is itself an important contribution to global financial market stability and global economic development.

Earlier in the day Southeast Asian countries plus China, Japan, and South Korea, agreed to an $80 billion regional emergency fund to battle the effects of the crisis.

Nonetheless, Asian stock prices continued to tumble. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fell to a four-year low while China's benchmark stocks dropped to a two-year low. The Japanese and South Korean exchanges dropped to similar record lows.

The European Commission President, Jose Manuel Barroso, said Asia and Europe needed to work with world partners to restore growth, stability, and confidence.

"We cannot meet these challenges by closing the door and simply looking after our own house. We have all benefited from trade and an open business environment," Barroso said. "So, we should firmly resist calls for protectionism, isolation³ and economic nationalism. This would only harm us and our prospects⁴ for recovery."

Despite the financial crisis topping the meeting agenda, Barroso said equally important was working together on a range of critical world issues.

The meeting is also to address cooperation on climate change, sustainable development, and energy security, among other issues.

Europe wants further commitments from advanced developing nations like China and India to reduce greenhouse gas emissions⁵.

However, the Asia-Europe Meeting is a summit for discussion and demonstrations⁶ of cooperation and is not expected to produce any binding⁷ agreements.

China's official Xinhua news agency says during the meeting Chinese officials are expected to put forward a proposal to build an "eco-city network" in Asia. It did not elaborate.

1 uncertainties   

无把握( uncertainty的名词复数 )； 不确定； 变化不定； 无把握、不确定的事物

参考例句：

• One of the uncertainties of military duty is that you never know when you might suddenly get posted away. 任军职不稳定的因素之一是你永远不知道什么时候会突然被派往它处。
• Uncertainties affecting peace and development are on the rise. 影响和平与发展的不确定因素在增加。 来自汉英非文学 - 十六大报告

2 solidarity   

n.团结；休戚相关

参考例句：

• They must preserve their solidarity.他们必须维护他们的团结。
• The solidarity among China's various nationalities is as firm as a rock.中国各族人民之间的团结坚如磐石。

3 isolation   

n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离

参考例句：

• The millionaire lived in complete isolation from the outside world.这位富翁过着与世隔绝的生活。
• He retired and lived in relative isolation.他退休后，生活比较孤寂。

4 prospects   

n.希望，前途(恒为复数)

参考例句：

• There is a mood of pessimism in the company about future job prospects. 公司中有一种对工作前景悲观的情绪。
• They are less sanguine about the company's long-term prospects. 他们对公司的远景不那么乐观。

5 emissions   

排放物( emission的名词复数 )； 散发物（尤指气体）

参考例句：

• Most scientists accept that climate change is linked to carbon emissions. 大多数科学家都相信气候变化与排放的含碳气体有关。
• Dangerous emissions radiate from plutonium. 危险的辐射物从钚放散出来。

6 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

7 binding   

有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的

参考例句：

• The contract was not signed and has no binding force. 合同没有签署因而没有约束力。
• Both sides have agreed that the arbitration will be binding. 双方都赞同仲裁具有约束力。