2015年CRI New Zealand Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee Visits China

 

New Zealand Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee has given a speech, outlining New Zealand's perspectives and security priorities.

He thus speaks highly of China's contribution to the UN peacekeeping mission.

"In peacekeeping, New Zealand is very grateful for the force protection provided by People's Liberation Army soldiers working under the United Nations banner in South Sudan, side-by-side with our troops. China is now one of the world's biggest contributors of peacekeepers to United Nations missions, and we commend you for your commitment to maintaining international peace and security through these means."

Brownlee says because New Zealand's interests in maritime¹ domain² are global, free navigation is especially important for his country.

In talking about the issue of the South China Sea, he says over half of New Zealand's maritime trade passes through the region.

"It is of particular importance to New Zealand, reliant as we are on seaborne trade and the security and freedom of navigation for our economic prosperity and well-being³. Over half of New Zealand's maritime trade passes through the South China Sea."

The comment comes after Chinese president Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Barack Obama jointly⁴ announced last Friday that both countries' support the freedom of navigation and over-flight that countries enjoy and insist on solving disputes among directly concerned parties through peaceful negotiations⁵ and consultations⁶.

Gerry Brownlee says, being a long-time ally to the United States, New Zealand doesn't think its military ties with Washington contradict relations with Beijing.

"We do not see our defence relationships with the United States and China as mutually exclusive. We believe that the United States and China want the same thing for the Asia-Pacific – peace and prosperity. This is New Zealand's desire as well, and we will work with all parties to achieve this outcome."

He adds that an inclusive dialogue will ensure all nations will integrate into a rules-based international order so that territorial⁷ disputes can be properly dealt with.

The China-New Zealand relationship was upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership⁸ during President Xi's visit to New Zealand last year.

Following Brownlee's visit in Beijing, he will go to Chengdu Military District, meet with commanders, and visit a military base.

Since Brownlee has some personal experience in disaster response and recovery, he also hopes to learn from the perspectives and expertise⁹ of Chinese leaders and officials who dealt with the tragic¹⁰ 2008 Sichuan earthquake.

For CRI, I'm Niu Honglin.

1 maritime   

adj.海的，海事的，航海的，近海的，沿海的

参考例句：

• Many maritime people are fishermen.许多居于海滨的人是渔夫。
• The temperature change in winter is less in maritime areas.冬季沿海的温差较小。

2 domain   

n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围

参考例句：

• This information should be in the public domain.这一消息应该为公众所知。
• This question comes into the domain of philosophy.这一问题属于哲学范畴。

3 well-being   

n.安康，安乐，幸福

参考例句：

• He always has the well-being of the masses at heart.他总是把群众的疾苦挂在心上。
• My concern for their well-being was misunderstood as interference.我关心他们的幸福，却被误解为多管闲事。

4 jointly   

ad.联合地，共同地

参考例句：

• Tenants are jointly and severally liable for payment of the rent. 租金由承租人共同且分别承担。
• She owns the house jointly with her husband. 她和丈夫共同拥有这所房子。

5 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

6 consultations   

n.磋商（会议）( consultation的名词复数 )；商讨会；协商会；查找

参考例句：

• Consultations can be arranged at other times by appointment. 磋商可以通过预约安排在其他时间。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Consultations are under way. 正在进行磋商。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

7 territorial   

adj.领土的，领地的

参考例句：

• The country is fighting to preserve its territorial integrity.该国在为保持领土的完整而进行斗争。
• They were not allowed to fish in our territorial waters.不允许他们在我国领海捕鱼。

8 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。

9 expertise   

n.专门知识(或技能等)，专长

参考例句：

• We were amazed at his expertise on the ski slopes.他斜坡滑雪的技能使我们赞叹不已。
• You really have the technical expertise in a new breakthrough.让你真正在专业技术上有一个全新的突破。

10 tragic   

adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的

参考例句：

• The effect of the pollution on the beaches is absolutely tragic.污染海滩后果可悲。
• Charles was a man doomed to tragic issues.查理是个注定不得善终的人。