VOA标准英语2013--美国与中国因海上问题紧张局势加剧

 

US, China Raise Tensions Over Maritime¹ Issues 美国与中国因海上问题紧张局势加剧

U.S. Secretary of Defense² Chuck Hagel calls China's actions in a near-collision in the South China Sea irresponsible. He also warned that such incidents could  aggravate tensions in the region. This latest episode could test the increased U.S. emphasis on Asia.

The crew of the USS Cowpens was observing the Chinese carrier Liaoning on December 5, and Secretary of Defense Hagel says that's when another Chinese vessel³ cut across  the bow.  "That action by the Chinese, cutting in front of, their ship, 100 yards in front of the Cowpens was not a responsible action. It was unhelpful, it was irresponsible,"  said Hagel.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry⁴ spokeswoman downplayed the incident.

"China has always respected normal naval⁵ and air passage and freedom of navigation, which is in line with international law," she said.

U.S. ships monitor Chinese activities from international waters in the South China Sea and the East China Sea.

China finds that unacceptable, says Rick Fisher, senior fellow at the International Assessment⁶ and Strategy Center.

"In both areas, the Chinese air and naval forces have tried to interfere⁷ with American intelligence collection, and I expect that this kind of cat-versus-mouse contest  will continue.  And, if the Chinese decide, it could get rough," said Fisher.

At the Pentagon, Secretary Hagel says such confrontations⁸ are risky⁹.

"What we don't want is some miscalculation here to occur and when you have a Cowpens issue that's the kind of thing that's very incendiary that could be a trigger or a  spark that could set off some eventual¹⁰ miscalculation," he said.

Asia expert Richard Cronin agrees.

"There's a high possibility of some incident, which probably wouldn't escalate¹¹ into a war between the U.S. and China but could certainly involve some shooting and  leave a lot of diplomatic wreckage¹² behind," said Cronin.

Cronin, who directs the Stimson Center's Southeast Asia Program, says China also is projecting power by declaring an air defense identification zone in the East China  Sea over islands administered by Japan.

"So it's all about pushing us out, and it's also about trying to expand the rights it's entitled to," he said.

The U.S. rejects the air defense zone.  As part of the Obama administration's so-called Asia pivot¹³, Secretary of State John Kerry recently visited Vietnam and the  Philippines, pledging $70 million in security aid.

"The zone should not be implemented¹⁴, and China should refrain from taking similar unilateral actions elsewhere in the region, and particularly over the South China  Sea," said Kerry.

Rick Fisher says China's military buildup helps justify¹⁵ Washington's pivot.

"But as China ramps¹⁶ up its actions, as it increases its pressure, it is in turn putting more pressure on the United States to reconsider defense cuts, to reconsider  its strategy and to accelerate military preparations," he said.

With increased U.S. and Chinese military activity raising the potential for accidental clashes, Asian neighbors Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines remain on  guard.

1 maritime   

adj.海的，海事的，航海的，近海的，沿海的

参考例句：

• Many maritime people are fishermen.许多居于海滨的人是渔夫。
• The temperature change in winter is less in maritime areas.冬季沿海的温差较小。

2 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。

3 vessel   

n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管

参考例句：

• The vessel is fully loaded with cargo for Shanghai.这艘船满载货物驶往上海。
• You should put the water into a vessel.你应该把水装入容器中。

4 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

5 naval   

adj.海军的，军舰的，船的

参考例句：

• He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
• The harbour is an important naval base.该港是一个重要的海军基地。

6 assessment   

n.评价；评估；对财产的估价，被估定的金额

参考例句：

• This is a very perceptive assessment of the situation.这是一个对该情况的极富洞察力的评价。
• What is your assessment of the situation?你对时局的看法如何？

7 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。

8 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

9 risky   

adj.有风险的，冒险的

参考例句：

• It may be risky but we will chance it anyhow.这可能有危险，但我们无论如何要冒一冒险。
• He is well aware how risky this investment is.他心里对这项投资的风险十分清楚。

10 eventual   

adj.最后的，结局的，最终的

参考例句：

• Several schools face eventual closure.几所学校面临最终关闭。
• Both parties expressed optimism about an eventual solution.双方对问题的最终解决都表示乐观。

11 escalate   

v.(使)逐步增长(或发展)，(使)逐步升级

参考例句：

• It would tempt Israel's neighbors to escalate their demands.它将诱使以色列的邻国不断把他们的要求升级。
• Defeat could cause one side or other to escalate the conflict.失败可能会导致其中一方将冲突升级。

12 wreckage   

n.（失事飞机等的）残骸，破坏，毁坏

参考例句：

• They hauled him clear of the wreckage.他们把他从形骸中拖出来。
• New states were born out of the wreckage of old colonial empires.新生国家从老殖民帝国的废墟中诞生。

13 pivot   

v.在枢轴上转动；装枢轴，枢轴；adj.枢轴的

参考例句：

• She is the central pivot of creation and represents the feminine aspect in all things.她是创造的中心枢轴，表现出万物的女性面貌。
• If a spring is present,the hand wheel will pivot on the spring.如果有弹簧，手轮的枢轴会装在弹簧上。

14 implemented   

v.实现( implement的过去式和过去分词 )；执行；贯彻；使生效

参考例句：

• This agreement, if not implemented, is a mere scrap of paper. 这个协定如不执行只不过是一纸空文。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The economy is in danger of collapse unless far-reaching reforms are implemented. 如果不实施影响深远的改革，经济就面临崩溃的危险。 来自辞典例句

15 justify   

vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护

参考例句：

• He tried to justify his absence with lame excuses.他想用站不住脚的借口为自己的缺席辩解。
• Can you justify your rude behavior to me?你能向我证明你的粗野行为是有道理的吗？

16 ramps   

resources allocation and multiproject scheduling 资源分配和多项目的行程安排

参考例句：

• Ramps should be provided for wheelchair users. 应该给轮椅使用者提供坡道。
• He has the upper floor and ramps are fitted everywhere for his convenience. 他住在上面一层，为了他的方便着想，到处设有坡道。