VOA常速英语2014--美国将采取异于中国的非洲参与路线

 

US Takes Different Approach to Africa than China 美国将采取异于中国的非洲参与路线

WHITE HOUSE —

President Barack Obama's effort to engage Africa brought together the largest summit of African leaders ever held in Washington. But China has hosted such summits before, and the U.S. gathering¹ highlights what some see as a belated U.S. effort to catch up and expand its economic ties with Africa.

The might of large American corporations like Coca Cola is powering the Obama administration's latest efforts to build its partnership² with Africa.

大型美国公司如可口可乐正在助力奥巴马政府与非洲加强伙伴关系的举措。

The company at the summit announced it's boosting its investment by $5 billion in safe water and other programs.

在这次峰会上，可口可乐宣布投资50亿美元用于安全水等项目。

China, too, has invested heavily -- doing twice as much trade with Africa as the U.S. But Beijing has been accused of ignoring governance and human rights issues.

中国在非洲的投资规模也很大，中国与非洲的贸易额是美国与非洲的两倍。但一直有批评的声音称北京忽略治理和人权问题。

Corporate³ investment

Obama announced $14 billion of American corporate investment at the Africa summit, but indicated the United States will have a different approach.

奥巴马在峰会上宣布美国公司提供140亿美元的投资，但表示美国将采取不同的路线。

“Capital is one thing. Development programs and projects are one thing. But, but rule of law? Regulatory reform? Good governance? Those things matter even more, because people should be able to start a business and ship their goods without having to pay a bribe⁴ or hire somebody's cousin.”

“资本是一回事，发展项目是另一回事。但法治呢？合规的改革呢？良政呢？后者要更重要，因为人们应该无需行贿或雇佣某人的堂兄就能创业并运输商品。”

This was a big summit, but Beijing started hosting equally large numbers of African leaders 14 years ago.

这是一次重大峰会，但北京早在14年前就与很多非洲领导人以礼相待。

U.S. officials say there is no competition with China for Africa.

美国官方称在非洲美国不是中国的竞争对手。

Human rights, governance

Analyst⁵ Richard Downie agrees. "I think at heart, the U.S. and China have mutual⁶ interests in Africa. They're both interested in peace, stability and security because that's the best environment in which to grow markets and do business."

分析家理查德·唐尼赞同这一点，“我从心底认为，美国和中国在非洲有共同的利益，都对和平、稳定和安定感兴趣，因为这是发展市场和做生意的最好环境。”

He said the U.S. seeks a new kind of engagement.

他说美国寻求新的伙伴关系。

“The U.S. has traditionally focused very much on development issues, on tackling some of the big public health crises in Africa, such as HIV/AIDS and trying to resolve some of the most persistent⁷ conflicts," said Downie. "So it’s really focused on the downsides, the problems of Africa rather than the upside, the economic opportunities that China is focused on.”

“美国过去一直非常关注发展问题，注重在非洲解决一些大的公共卫生危机，比如艾滋病，并努力解决一些持续不断的冲突。所以主要关注的是不好的一面，关注非洲的问题而不是好的一面，没有关注中国关注的经济机遇。”

This summit focused on the upside, with economic issues taking center stage. There were no sessions devoted⁸ to rule of law and justice. White House officials said leaders had a chance to talk about those issues on the sidelines.

这次峰会关注好的一面，经济问题是讨论的中心。没有召开有关法治和司法的分会，白宫官员称领导人们将在会议间歇讨论这些问题。

1 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

2 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。

3 corporate   

adj.共同的，全体的；公司的，企业的

参考例句：

• This is our corporate responsibility.这是我们共同的责任。
• His corporate's life will be as short as a rabbit's tail.他的公司的寿命是兔子尾巴长不了。

4 bribe   

n.贿赂；v.向…行贿，买通

参考例句：

• He tried to bribe the policeman not to arrest him.他企图贿赂警察不逮捕他。
• He resolutely refused their bribe.他坚决不接受他们的贿赂。

5 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

6 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。

7 persistent   

adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的

参考例句：

• Albert had a persistent headache that lasted for three days.艾伯特连续头痛了三天。
• She felt embarrassed by his persistent attentions.他不时地向她大献殷勤，使她很难为情。

8 devoted   

adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的

参考例句：

• He devoted his life to the educational cause of the motherland.他为祖国的教育事业贡献了一生。
• We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。