2016年CRI No competition between China and Western countries in Africa: Vice FM

 

Chinese vice¹-Foreign Minister Zhang Ming briefs the media in Beijing on the forthcoming session on July 29.

He says the sessions will be focused on how Chinese and African countries can partner together.

"African states and African people have the full right to choose their own cooperation partners, as well as pick the way forward in their international cooperation goals. We support the diversified² goals of our African partners."

The comments come amid suggestions Africa has become the latest version of the "Great Game," a late 19th, early 20th century competition between England and Russia for influence over Central Asia.

In refuting the suggestion, Zhang Ming says China is not interested in a competition in Africa.

Instead, he says the meetings next Friday are meant to formalize areas of mutual³ interest for both China and the 52 different African nations due to be represented at the session in Beijing.

"A joint⁴ declaration is expected to sum up the results of the summit and its significance and the progress in materializing previous summit results. The document will also elaborate on the Chinese and African concepts about cooperation in promoting the latest summit results."

December's Forum⁵ on China-Africa Cooperation in Johannesburg, South Africa adopted an action plan for further cooperation between China and Africa in the coming 3 years.

Meanwhile, Zhang Ming expresses China's commitment to peacekeeping efforts in Africa, including South Sudan.

"Two Chinese peacekeepers were killed and five others were injured in South Sudan recently, and this shows Chinese people and government's great sacrifice in safeguarding peace in Africa and around the world. We will remember these martyrs⁶ forever."

The Chinese soldiers, operating under the United Nations flag, were in an armoured vehicle which was hit by a mortar⁷ round while protecting a UN refugee camp in South Sudan's capital, Juba.

Three Chinese soldiers have been killed so far this year while working as peacekeepers in Africa.

The other died in an assault on a United Nations outpost in Mali at the end of May.

For CRI, I'm Xie Cheng.

Chinese vice Foreign Minister Zhang Ming speaks at a press briefing in Beijing on July 22, 2016. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

1 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

2 diversified   

adj.多样化的，多种经营的v.使多样化，多样化( diversify的过去式和过去分词 )；进入新的商业领域

参考例句：

• The college biology department has diversified by adding new courses in biotechnology. 该学院生物系通过增加生物技术方面的新课程而变得多样化。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Take grain as the key link, develop a diversified economy and ensure an all-round development. 以粮为纲，多种经营，全面发展。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

3 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。

4 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

5 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

6 martyrs   

n.martyr的复数形式；烈士( martyr的名词复数 )；殉道者；殉教者；乞怜者（向人诉苦以博取同情）

参考例句：

• the early Christian martyrs 早期基督教殉道者
• They paid their respects to the revolutionary martyrs. 他们向革命烈士致哀。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

7 mortar   

n.灰浆，灰泥；迫击炮；v.把…用灰浆涂接合

参考例句：

• The mason flushed the joint with mortar.泥工用灰浆把接缝处嵌平。
• The sound of mortar fire seemed to be closing in.迫击炮的吼声似乎正在逼近。