VOA标准英语2008年-India Reactivates Air Base Close to China in Ka

By Shahnawaz Khan
Shrinagar
02 June 2008

India has reactivated a strategic air base close to the Chinese frontier in Indian administered Kashmir, more than 40 years after it was abandoned. As Shahnawaz Khan reports, India plans to revive more bases close to the Chinese frontier, asserting its military prowess near China and central Asia.
　

Indian Air Force aircrafts perform at the opening of 'Aero India 2007' (file photo)

On Saturday the Indian Air Force pilots landed a Russian-built Antonov-32 transport aircraft at the Daulatbeg Oldi air base in Ladakh province of Indian administered Kashmir. At an altitude of more than 4,937 meters, close to the Chinese controlled portion of Kashmir, the air strip is considered the highest in the world.

The revival¹ of the base, abandoned in 1966, is seen by analysts² as India's military standing³ up to China. This comes as the Air Force plans to revive two more bases in eastern Ladakh, both close to the Chinese frontier.

The news agency Press Trust of India quoted Air Force sources as saying that the Daulatbeg Oldi Base was revived to bolster⁴ India's aerial and land reconnaissance capability⁵ in the strategic region.

The news agency said that regular operations would be initiated⁶ at the base, while two other air fields,

Chushul and Fukche, also along the Chinese frontier, will be revived.

The Daulatbeg Oldi Air Base, abandoned in 1966 after an earthquake rendered it unusable, is located close to the Chinese controlled portion of Kashmir, also referred to as Aksai Chin. It is eight kilometers from the Karokaram Highway, that links Pakistan with China and is part of the historic silk route that linked Kashmir with central Asia.

The base was set up and used as an advance landing ground during the Indo-Chinese conflict in 1962.

Defense⁷ Analysts in New Delhi see the revival of the air base as an assertion of India's military power and a projection⁸ of India's defense posture⁹ near China and Central Asia.

Phunchok Stobdan is a senior fellow at the Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi. Stobdan says India has been avoiding confrontations¹⁰ with China, and says the recent problems in Tibet were an immediate¹¹ concern.

There have been limitations to what we could do, when the recent riots took place in Tibet," Stobdan said. "We could not stand up behind the Tibetans to interfere¹² in China's internal issues. But I think strengthening your own borders furthers the implications of what is happening there. "

Adding that China made 24 attempts to take hold of the Dalulatbeg air base during the last India-Pakistan conflict in Kargil, Stobdan says India has awakened¹³ late to the problem.

"On the other side there are 13 such projects going on," Stobdan said. "Modernization¹⁴ of airports and creating more infrastructure¹⁵. This has been going on for a very long time on the Chinese side. The Indian side has woken up very late.

For now however, Analysts say the base can best be utilized¹⁶ for dropping food and supplies to the troops posted in rugged¹⁷ mountainous terrain¹⁸, where troops still rely on mules¹⁹.

South Asian nuclear neighbors, India, Pakistan and China, each control portions of Jammu and Kashmir divided by a ceasefire line called the Line of Control, and Actual Line of Control. The major portions lie within India and Pakistan, who have fought three wars over the region, while China controls a largely unpopulated region.

1 revival   

n.复兴，复苏，（精力、活力等的）重振

参考例句：

• The period saw a great revival in the wine trade.这一时期葡萄酒业出现了很大的复苏。
• He claimed the housing market was showing signs of a revival.他指出房地产市场正出现复苏的迹象。

2 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。

3 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

4 bolster   

n.枕垫；v.支持，鼓励

参考例句：

• The high interest rates helped to bolster up the economy.高利率使经济更稳健。
• He tried to bolster up their morale.他尽力鼓舞他们的士气。

5 capability   

n.能力；才能；(pl)可发展的能力或特性等

参考例句：

• She has the capability to become a very fine actress.她有潜力成为杰出演员。
• Organizing a whole department is beyond his capability.组织整个部门是他能力以外的事。

6 initiated   

n. 创始人 adj. 新加入的 vt. 开始，创始，启蒙，介绍加入

参考例句：

• He has not yet been thoroughly initiated into the mysteries of computers. 他对计算机的奥秘尚未入门。
• The artist initiated the girl into the art world in France. 这个艺术家介绍这个女孩加入巴黎艺术界。

7 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。

8 projection   

n.发射，计划，突出部分

参考例句：

• Projection takes place with a minimum of awareness or conscious control.投射在最少的知觉或意识控制下发生。
• The projection of increases in number of house-holds is correct.对户数增加的推算是正确的。

9 posture   

n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势

参考例句：

• The government adopted an uncompromising posture on the issue of independence.政府在独立这一问题上采取了毫不妥协的态度。
• He tore off his coat and assumed a fighting posture.他脱掉上衣，摆出一副打架的架势。

10 confrontations   

n.对抗，对抗的事物( confrontation的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• At times, this potential has escalated into actual confrontations. 有时，这一矛盾升级为实际的对抗。 来自英汉非文学 - 行政法
• These confrontations and uncertainties were bing played out for the first time on a global scale. 所有这一切对抗和不稳定，第一次在全球范围内得到充分的表演。 来自辞典例句

11 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

12 interfere   

v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰

参考例句：

• If we interfere, it may do more harm than good.如果我们干预的话，可能弊多利少。
• When others interfere in the affair,it always makes troubles. 别人一卷入这一事件，棘手的事情就来了。

13 awakened   

v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到

参考例句：

• She awakened to the sound of birds singing. 她醒来听到鸟的叫声。
• The public has been awakened to the full horror of the situation. 公众完全意识到了这一状况的可怕程度。 来自《简明英汉词典》

14 modernization   

n.现代化，现代化的事物

参考例句：

• This will help us achieve modernization.这有助于我们实现现代化。
• The Chinese people are sure to realize the modernization of their country.中国人民必将实现国家现代化。

15 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。

16 utilized   

v.利用，使用( utilize的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• In the19th century waterpower was widely utilized to generate electricity. 在19世纪人们大规模使用水力来发电。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The empty building can be utilized for city storage. 可以利用那栋空建筑物作城市的仓库。 来自《简明英汉词典》

17 rugged   

adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的

参考例句：

• Football players must be rugged.足球运动员必须健壮。
• The Rocky Mountains have rugged mountains and roads.落基山脉有崇山峻岭和崎岖不平的道路。

18 terrain   

n.地面，地形，地图

参考例句：

• He had made a detailed study of the terrain.他对地形作了缜密的研究。
• He knows the terrain of this locality like the back of his hand.他对这一带的地形了如指掌。

19 mules   

骡( mule的名词复数 )； 拖鞋； 顽固的人； 越境运毒者

参考例句：

• The cart was pulled by two mules. 两匹骡子拉这辆大车。
• She wore tight trousers and high-heeled mules. 她穿紧身裤和拖鞋式高跟鞋。