VOA标准英语2009-Singapore Calls for Asia Pacific Free Trade

By Mil Arcega
Washington
11 November 2009

 
The venue¹ of the APEC summit, in Singapore, 08 Nov 2009
Singapore has called for the creation of an ambitious Asia-Pacific free trade zone that it says would comprise nearly half of all global trade.  The call, by Singapore's foreign minister, comes ahead of the 20th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

APEC's 20th anniversary comes at a crucial time as its members emerge from the worst financial crisis in decades. Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says the time is right for serious discussions on reducing tariffs² and boosting trade in the region.

"It takes place at a pivotal moment, when the world economy is emerging from the global financial crisis, when the situation has stabilized³, yet the economic outlook remains⁴ uncertain," he says, "when much still needs to be done to sustain the economic recovery."

Total exports by APEC's 21 members have grown faster than the rest of the world, from $1.2 trillion in 1989 to more than $6 trillion in 2007. 

 
Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo gestures as he addresses APEC symposium⁵, 10 Nov 2009
George Yeo is Singapore's foreign minister. "What we really want is a free trade area of the Asia-Pacific," he said.
 
The proposed free trade zone would be marginally larger than its European and North American counterparts. 

But Yeo acknowledges agreement among such a diverse group will be difficult. "But let's keep pushing in that direction through bilateral⁶ and regional free trade agreements, creating a positive, competitive dynamic," he states.

The group has heard similar proposals before but this time, the world spotlight⁷ will be on APEC. Eduardo Pedrosa represents the Pacific Economic Council.

"One of the main criticisms of APEC is it was unable to do anything substantial for the economies affected⁸ by the Asian financial crisis," Pedrosa says, "So what's happening today with the global financial crisis is going to be a real test of whether APEC can deliver something meaningful to the citizens of the region."

The proposed trading zone is high on the agenda for the Singapore summit, which takes place on November 14 and 15. 

Proponents⁹ say it would bring together more than 40 overlapping¹⁰ or duplicate agreements under one roof - and bring greater stability and prosperity for the region.

1 venue   

n.犯罪地点，审判地，管辖地，发生地点，集合地点

参考例句：

• The hall provided a venue for weddings and other functions.大厅给婚礼和其他社会活动提供了场所。
• The chosen venue caused great controversy among the people.人们就审判地点的问题产生了极大的争议。

2 tariffs   

关税制度； 关税( tariff的名词复数 )； 关税表； （旅馆或饭店等的）收费表； 量刑标准

参考例句：

• British industry was sheltered from foreign competition by protective tariffs. 保护性关税使英国工业免受国际竞争影响。
• The new tariffs have put a stranglehold on trade. 新的关税制对开展贸易极为不利。

3 stabilized   

v.（使）稳定， （使）稳固( stabilize的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The patient's condition stabilized. 患者的病情稳定下来。
• His blood pressure has stabilized. 他的血压已经稳定下来了。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

4 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

5 symposium   

n.讨论会，专题报告会；专题论文集

参考例句：

• What have you learned from the symposium?你参加了这次科学讨论会有什么体会？
• The specialists and scholars present at the symposium come from all corners of the country.出席研讨会的专家学者们来自全国各地。

6 bilateral   

adj.双方的，两边的，两侧的

参考例句：

• They have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal.他们一直在商谈一项双边贸易协定。
• There was a wide gap between the views of the two statesmen on the bilateral cooperation.对双方合作的问题，两位政治家各自所持的看法差距甚大。

7 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

8 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

9 proponents   

n.（某事业、理论等的）支持者，拥护者( proponent的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Reviewing courts were among the most active proponents of hybrid rulemaking procedures. 复审法院是最积极的混合型规则制定程序的建议者。 来自英汉非文学 - 行政法
• Proponents of such opinions were arrested as 'traitors. ' 提倡这种主张的人马上作为“卖国贼”逮捕起来。 来自辞典例句

10 overlapping   

adj./n.交迭（的）

参考例句：

• There is no overlapping question between the two courses. 这两门课程之间不存在重叠的问题。
• A trimetrogon strip is composed of three rows of overlapping. 三镜头摄影航线为三排重迭的象片所组成。