BRICS Nations Inch Toward Development Bank

 　　Leaders from some of the world's largest developing economies -- Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, the so-called BRICS -- called Thursday for a more representative international financial structure.

　　Wrapping up a summit Thursday in New Delhi, the five-nation bloc¹ proposed the formation of a shared development bank. The "BRICS bank” would help shield the developing world from financial crises emanating² from richer nations.

　　"It will support our priority infrastructure³ projects as well as trade and investment opportunities with our BRICS partners," said South African President Jacob Zuma, explaining that African leaders welcome the proposal. "Such a bank has great potential to help us create good jobs in developing countries."

　　Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who hosted the summit, said the countries are moving closer to a key step in promoting mutual⁴ investment.

　　"We have agreed to examine in greater detail a proposal to set up a BRICS-led South-South development bank funded and managed by the BRICS and other developing countries," he said.

　　A quarter of world trade

　　BRICS nations have nearly half the world's population and account for more than a quarter of world trade.

　　Export-import banks from the five nations signed a separate deal Thursday making it easier for the countries to trade with each other in their own local currencies.

　　Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said the BRICS nations will play a key role in reforming global governance in coming years.

　　"The world financial system is outdated⁵ and needs to be reformed," he said. "It does not take into account the significant role played by BRICS countries."

　　BRICS leaders spoke⁶ in one voice on Syria Thursday, saying the crisis there should be resolved through “broad national dialogues” and with respect for the country's independence and sovereignty.

　　On Iran, the group said it recognizes Teheran's right to peaceful use of nuclear energy and warned “disastrous consequences” would result if the dispute about alleged⁷ nuclear weapons programs escalates⁸ into violence.

　　The one-day summit here in the Indian capital took place under extraordinary security, following the self-immolation protest of a Tibetan exile earlier in the week. The protester died of his burns Wednesday

　　Indian police have taken dozens of Tibetan exiles into protective custody⁹ in the city, declared many areas off limits, and set up numerous checkpoints along roads near the summit venues¹⁰.

　　One small group of Tibetan exiles did manage briefly¹¹ to unfurl a Tibetan flag Thursday near the hotel where Chinese President Hu Jintao is staying. They were arrested.

1 bloc   

n.集团；联盟

参考例句：

• A solid bloc of union members support the decision.工会会员团结起来支持该决定。
• There have been growing tensions within the trading bloc.贸易同盟国的关系越来越紧张。

2 emanating   

v.从…处传出，传出( emanate的现在分词 )；产生，表现，显示

参考例句：

• Even so, there is a slight odour of potpourri emanating from Longfellow. 纵然如此，也还是可以闻到来自朗费罗的一种轻微的杂烩的味道。 来自辞典例句
• Many surface waters, particularly those emanating from swampy areas, are often colored to the extent. 许多地表水，特别是由沼泽地区流出的地表水常常染上一定程度的颜色。 来自辞典例句

3 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。

4 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。

5 outdated   

adj.旧式的，落伍的，过时的；v.使过时

参考例句：

• That list of addresses is outdated,many have changed.那个通讯录已经没用了，许多地址已经改了。
• Many of us conform to the outdated customs laid down by our forebears.我们许多人都遵循祖先立下的过时习俗。

6 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。

7 alleged   

a.被指控的，嫌疑的

参考例句：

• It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
• alleged irregularities in the election campaign 被指称竞选运动中的不正当行为

8 escalates   

v.（使）逐步升级( escalate的第三人称单数 )；（使）逐步扩大；（使）更高；（使）更大

参考例句：

• As the challenge escalates, the need for teamwork elevates. 面临的挑战越大，越需要团队协同合作。 来自互联网
• I cannot understand why a minor disagreement escalates into a fist-fight. 我真不明白为什么一点意见不合就变成了拳头相见。 来自互联网

9 custody   

n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留

参考例句：

• He spent a week in custody on remand awaiting sentence.等候判决期间他被还押候审一个星期。
• He was taken into custody immediately after the robbery.抢劫案发生后，他立即被押了起来。

10 venues   

n.聚集地点( venue的名词复数 )；会场；（尤指）体育比赛场所；犯罪地点

参考例句：

• The band will be playing at 20 different venues on their UK tour. 这个乐队在英国巡回演出期间将在20个不同的地点演出。
• Farmers market corner, 800 meters long, 60 meters wide livestock trading venues. 农牧市场东北角，有长800米，宽60米的牲畜交易场地。 来自互联网

11 briefly   

adv.简单地，简短地

参考例句：

• I want to touch briefly on another aspect of the problem.我想简单地谈一下这个问题的另一方面。
• He was kidnapped and briefly detained by a terrorist group.他被一个恐怖组织绑架并短暂拘禁。