VOA标准英语2015--泰缅边境的经济繁荣带来希望

 

Economic Boom on Thai-Myanmar Border Brings Hope 泰缅边境的经济繁荣带来希望

MAE SOT, THAILAND—

Thailand and Myanmar are working on big plans to boost trade and entice¹ businesses to locate along their long land border. The influx² of money is reshaping a region that has suffered from long-running ethnic³ conflicts.

In western Thailand, where the Moei (Thaunggin) river marks the Myanmar border, economists⁴ estimate trade at this key border crossing reached more than a billion dollars last year.

With Thailand’s economy stalling following last years coup⁵, the ruling junta⁶ is focusing on boosting growth with development projects and free trade zone deals to increase cross-border trade.

A second bridge is under construction for heavy trucks, which backers hope could quickly double trade in Mae Sot.

Meanwhile, there are ongoing⁷ efforts in Thailand’s neutral territory to resolve the long-running conflict between ethnic-rebel armies and the Myanmar military.

Thai 4th Infantry⁸ Division commander Nopporn Reungjan sees the investment, infrastructure⁹ and talks as stepping stones to permanent peace.

“The booming economy can help to solve the problems with all ethnic groups," he said. "This is a tool to speed up the talks. We open the special economic zones for easier cross-border trading for both countries. Open the world economy to benefit everyone."

Incentives¹⁰ like tax breaks and quick work permits also have been introduced to attract businesses. And a recent trade fair promoting exporter potential has attracted ethnic business leaders, like Soe Thein.

“Recently, we have achieved peace in our area. Our region will start developing now as we have enough human resource and natural resources," said Thein. "Therefore, we need to put even more efforts towards the region’s development.”

Despite the economic investments, more than 120,000 Karen refugees are still languishing¹¹ in nine border camps without land back in Myanmar to return to.

Some refugees lost their land long ago. One man who fled Karen state 30 years ago and declined to give his name, said he received word that a Karen militia¹² force now aligned¹³ with the government re-sold the village land to Burmese businesses.

For now, he can only see his former home from a Google map.

“If we go back the price of the land must be higher because it is close to the border and also the development area so we think we cannot afford to buy it back so we have to look for a new place where we can stay,” said the refugee.

With the new investments, business is booming for some in Myanmar, but not for all.

1 entice   

v.诱骗，引诱，怂恿

参考例句：

• Nothing will entice the children from television.没有任何东西能把孩子们从电视机前诱开。
• I don't see why the English should want to entice us away from our native land.我不明白，为什英国人要引诱我们离开自己的国土。

2 influx   

n.流入，注入

参考例句：

• The country simply cannot absorb this influx of refugees.这个国家实在不能接纳这么多涌入的难民。
• Textile workers favoured protection because they feared an influx of cheap cloth.纺织工人拥护贸易保护措施，因为他们担心涌入廉价纺织品。

3 ethnic   

adj.人种的，种族的，异教徒的

参考例句：

• This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
• The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。

4 economists   

n.经济学家，经济专家( economist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The sudden rise in share prices has confounded economists. 股价的突然上涨使经济学家大惑不解。
• Foreign bankers and economists cautiously welcomed the minister's initiative. 外国银行家和经济学家对部长的倡议反应谨慎。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 coup   

n.政变；突然而成功的行动

参考例句：

• The monarch was ousted by a military coup.那君主被军事政变者废黜了。
• That government was overthrown in a military coup three years ago.那个政府在3年前的军事政变中被推翻。

6 junta   

n.团体；政务审议会

参考例句：

• The junta reacted violently to the perceived threat to its authority.军政府感到自身权力受威胁而进行了激烈反击。
• A military junta took control of the country.一个军政权控制了国家。

7 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。

8 infantry   

n.[总称]步兵(部队)

参考例句：

• The infantry were equipped with flame throwers.步兵都装备有喷火器。
• We have less infantry than the enemy.我们的步兵比敌人少。

9 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。

10 incentives   

激励某人做某事的事物( incentive的名词复数 )； 刺激； 诱因； 动机

参考例句：

• tax incentives to encourage savings 鼓励储蓄的税收措施
• Furthermore, subsidies provide incentives only for investments in equipment. 更有甚者，提供津贴仅是为鼓励增添设备的投资。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

11 languishing   

a. 衰弱下去的

参考例句：

• He is languishing for home. 他苦思家乡。
• How long will she go on languishing for her red-haired boy? 为想见到她的红头发的儿子，她还将为此烦恼多久呢？

12 militia   

n.民兵，民兵组织

参考例句：

• First came the PLA men,then the people's militia.人民解放军走在前面，其次是民兵。
• There's a building guarded by the local militia at the corner of the street.街道拐角处有一幢由当地民兵团守卫的大楼。

13 aligned   

adj.对齐的，均衡的

参考例句：

• Make sure the shelf is aligned with the top of the cupboard.务必使搁架与橱柜顶端对齐。