2006年VOA标准英语-Former President Says US-China Relations Key to

By Daniel Schearf
Beijing
14 December 2006

Former President George H.W. Bush has praised the development of U.S.-China relations, calling them the most important this century for world peace and prosperity. While on a visit to Beijing, Mr. Bush commended China's role in international affairs, but warned that nuclear security concerns remain. Daniel Schearf reports from Beijing.

The 83-year-old former president says that U.S.-China relations have come a long way since China opened up to the world and became a market economy.

 
Chinese President Hu Jintao, right, talks with former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, left, in Beijing, 13 Dec. 2006
President George H.W. Bush, who spoke¹ at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, served in the 1970s as the top U.S. diplomat² in Beijing.

"Almost 60 years ago China and the United States embarked³ on two different economic and political paths, which quickly led to estrangement⁴ and to alienation," the former president said. "And, today I know I speak for our president and many more in the United States when I say we welcome the chance to move in the same direction and make up for the lost opportunities of the past."

Mr. Bush said he believes Chinese leaders want to play a constructive⁵ role on the world stage, and as an example noted⁶ China's leading role in the Indonesian tsunami⁷ relief efforts.

He called U.S.-China cooperation in negotiating with North Korea over its nuclear programs "indispensable," and praised China as host of the talks.

But he said the United States expects certain efforts from Beijing in discouraging the spread of nuclear weapons.

 
George H. W. Bush in Beijing, 14 Dec. 2006  (VOA Photo - D. Schearf)
"We look to China to exert its influence on North Korea so that North Korea lives up to its commitment," he said. " At the same time we have reached a decisive moment for China to take a tough stand with us against Iran's nuclear program."

Mr. Bush says North Korea needs to be held to its agreement to get rid of its nuclear programs. But, he says it is a myth that Chinese leaders can control North Korea.

Mr. Bush described the U.S.-China economic relationship as "breathtaking," pointing out China is expected to become the third-largest export market for U.S. goods this year.

He warned that China needs to do more to alleviate⁸ the large trade imbalance or risk protectionist measures in the United States.

1 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

2 diplomat   

n.外交官，外交家；能交际的人，圆滑的人

参考例句：

• The diplomat threw in a joke, and the tension was instantly relieved.那位外交官插进一个笑话，紧张的气氛顿时缓和下来。
• He served as a diplomat in Russia before the war.战前他在俄罗斯当外交官。

3 embarked   

乘船( embark的过去式和过去分词 )； 装载； 从事

参考例句：

• We stood on the pier and watched as they embarked. 我们站在突码头上目送他们登船。
• She embarked on a discourse about the town's origins. 她开始讲本市的起源。

4 estrangement   

n.疏远，失和，不和

参考例句：

• a period of estrangement from his wife 他与妻子分居期间
• The quarrel led to a complete estrangement between her and her family. 这一争吵使她同家人完全疏远了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 constructive   

adj.建设的，建设性的

参考例句：

• We welcome constructive criticism.我们乐意接受有建设性的批评。
• He is beginning to deal with his anger in a constructive way.他开始用建设性的方法处理自己的怒气。

6 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

7 tsunami   

n.海啸

参考例句：

• Powerful quake sparks tsunami warning in Japan.大地震触发了日本的海啸预警。
• Coastlines all around the Indian Ocean inundated by a huge tsunami.大海啸把印度洋沿岸地区都淹没了。

8 alleviate   

v.减轻，缓和，缓解(痛苦等)

参考例句：

• The doctor gave her an injection to alleviate the pain.医生给她注射以减轻疼痛。
• Nothing could alleviate his distress.什么都不能减轻他的痛苦。