经济学人256:跨国公司在中国 金刚VS金蛋

　　Business
商业报道
Multinationals¹ in China
跨国公司在中国
Guardian² warriors³ and golden eggs
金刚VS金蛋
The state's crackdowns on big firms are not all about bashing foreigners
中国政府制裁大公司，对象绝非仅是外国人
FOREIGN companies love to complain about doing business in China.
外国公司喜欢抱怨在中国做生意，游戏规则于其不利；
The rules of the game are rigged against them, they grouse⁴, the locals are corrupt⁵ and the government is always turning the thumbscrews on them.
他们埋怨华人腐败，政府总是给其穿小鞋。
Amid such moans it is worth remembering that, for all the barriers that foreign multinationals face in China, it has welcomed them with open arms compared with the protectionism imposed by Japanand South Koreaat comparable stages in their economic development.
比起同期日本、韩国为发展经济而实行的贸易保护政策，这种牢骚便值得留念；即便跨国公司在中国面临着重重壁垒，毕竟中国还是张开手臂表示欢迎。
Nevertheless, the recent spate⁶ of high-profile crackdowns on international firms, and people associated with them,has prompted worries about a generalised anti-foreigner backlash.
然而，近期备受瞩目的中国制裁跨国公司浪潮让相关人员担心中国民众会产生强烈的排外情绪。
This week police in Shanghai formally arrested a British fraud investigator⁷, Peter Humphrey, whom they had detained for six weeks as part of an inquiry⁸ into alleged⁹ bribery¹⁰ of doctors by foreign drug firms, along with his wife, also an investigator.
本周，上海警方正式逮捕一名英国公民—商业竞争情报人员彼特汉弗莱。为调查所谓的外国公司医疗行贿，汉弗莱已被拘留六周。同时被批捕的还有汉弗莱的妻子，后者也是一名竞争情报人员。
Mr Humphrey had done work for GlaxoSmithKline, a British drugs firm, four of whose Chinese managers were arrested last month.
汉弗莱曾在英国药品公司葛兰素史克工作，上月GSK四名中国区高管被捕。
Since these arrests other foreign drugmakers have come under investigation¹¹, including Sanofi and Eli Lilly.
此后，包括赛诺菲制药集团、礼来公司在内的其他外国制药公司均被中方调查，
All three firms say they will co-operate with the inquiries¹².
三家公司均表示愿意协助中方调查。
222222222222_副本.jpgThere have also been crackdowns on alleged price-fixing by foreign manufacturers of milk formula, and regulators are scrutinising the prices charged by foreign carmakers and their joint¹³ ventures with local firms.
此外，中方还在制裁外国公司垄断奶粉配方价格，监察部门正仔细审查外国汽车制造商提出的报价，并调查其同国内公司的合资公司。
Now foreign technology firms are worried that they may be next.
现在，外国科技公司担心自己会成为下一个调查对象。
Chinese nationalists were outraged¹⁴ when Huawei, a local telecoms-equipment giant, was blacklisted last year by American politicians on unsubstantiated allegations of spying.
当中国电信设备巨头华为被美国政客以未经核实的间谍活动为由列入黑名单时，中国国内的民族主义者勃然大怒。
But they grew apoplectic¹⁵ when Edward Snowden earlier this year revealed the extent of American spying on China.
但是，当爱德华斯诺登早些时候揭露美对中采取间谍活动的时候，他们更是怒不可遏。
Official media outlets¹⁶ have since been calling for the expulsion of Cisco and other leading American technology firms, dubbed¹⁷ the eight guardian warriors.
此后，中国官方媒体甚至呼吁驱逐思科及其他美国顶尖科技公司，并称此举为八大金刚。
This has made some observers nervous.
中国的上述举动也令其他公司感到不安，
Rhodium Group, a consultancy, gave warning that The implications for business prospects¹⁸ of foreign firms operating in the world's second largest economy are potentially far-reaching.
美国咨询公司荣鼎集团警告称：这对于外国公司在世界第二大经济体的前景影响深远。
So, is the new Chinese government really about to boot out the foreigners?
那么，中国政府真会驱逐外国公司吗？
Not likely.
看样子不会，
Cut through the official media's hype about greedy foreigners and it seems that a mix of motives¹⁹ is at work.
通过官方媒体对贪婪外国投资者的大肆宣扬不难看出其动机正在奏效。
Consumers are growing ever angrier about the cost of living in China's main cities, be that the soaring prices of homes, health care or safe food.
消费者对于中国主要城市的生活成本越发愤怒，或是物价飞涨、或是医疗保健、亦或是食品安全问题。
So it seems the government, which despite its tight grip on power does care about public opinion, is putting on a noisy show of trust busting²⁰.
因此，尽管政府攥紧权杖，但仍很在乎民意，打压跨国巨头的好戏也就随之上演。
Foreign firms are not the only targets:
外国公司并非此次行动唯一的打击对象：
recent action on alleged price-fixing by jewellers and the distillers of spirits, for example, nabbed only Chinese firms.
比如近期对珠宝商价格垄断及整风活动均是针对中国公司。
The antitrust regulator is now promising²¹ to get tough on telecoms and banking—two industries dominated by domestic firms.
反垄断监管机构正对电信公司及银行采取更严厉措施—两个由中国国内公司主宰的行业。
In contrast the drugs industry is dominated by foreign firms.
相比之下，药品行业则由外国公司左右。
Doctors are underpaid and thus highly susceptible²² to being incentivised to peddle²³ pricey pills.
医生工资低，因此更容易被蛊惑兜售昂贵药物。
Most patients have to pay for their treatments, are angry at how much they cost and blame graft²⁵ among health professionals.
大部分病人治疗都得付费，对高昂的医疗费用极为愤怒，随之将这种情绪转嫁到医护人员身上。
So by cracking down on alleged bribery by the foreign drug firms, the new Chinese government is also fulfilling another promise it made on taking office last year, to stamp out corruption²⁶.
因此，通过制裁国外药品公司行贿一事，新任中国国家主席也是在履行其去年上任时的另一项承诺，即反腐工作。
A crutch²⁷ for lame²⁴ ducks
跛子的拐杖
In many industries where local firms compete hard with foreign-backed ventures, the Chinese firms are struggling.
中国公司在许多行业面临着外国合资公司的激烈竞争，其发展举步维艰。
Often their products are perceived as lower-quality or unsafe.
中国公司的产品通常被视作低质、不安全，
The economic slowdown is making things worse for them.
经济增速放缓对他们来说更是雪上加霜。
Although regulators, by getting tough with the foreign firms first, are propping²⁸ up some local lame ducks in the short term, they may be setting a precedent²⁹, and softening³⁰ up public opinion, for when they eventually turn on the local firms.
尽管政府首先拿外国公司开刀，短期内仍旧支持国内公司，但其或许会有先例，最终会对国内公司下手以平息民愤。
As for the foreign technology firms, and the fear that a nationalist backlash will drive them away, it is true that some in officialdom and in the online Weibo-sphere are eager to see their departure.
对于外国科技公司来说，对中国民族主义强烈抵制的忧虑会让他们选择离去。事实确实如此，部分官员、及微博圈子的人迫切希望看到他们退出中国市场。
And there is some evidence of such firms losing a contract here or there.
有证据显示，此类公司在中国正相继失去合作机会。
However, it will be bizarre if China were to chase away these firms in the same way that America has seen off Huawei.
然而，如果中国采取美国对待华为的态度驱逐这些外国公司，那就有些匪夷所思了。
American technology firms are the world's best.
美国科技公司是世界上最好的，
Americadoes not need Chinese technology, whereas China most certainly needs access to American inventions.
美国不需要中国的技术，但中国肯定是需要渠道获得美国的发明。
In all, life for the many multinationals operating in China may get more difficult, with further cases of harassment³¹ by officials likely to emerge.
总而言之，对于众多在华经营的跨国公司来说，其生存环境或许会更加苦难，未来中方政府的进一步调查似乎不可避免。
But it seems unlikely, in most cases, that they will be forced out of the country.
但是，看样子大部分情况下他们是不会被驱逐出中国市场。
China's model of economic development depends, and has depended for years, on inviting³² in the world's best companies,and—legally or otherwise—benefiting from their intellectual property.
中国的经济发展模式需要依靠、过去许多年也一直在依靠吸引国外最好的公司，并合法或者非法从其知识产权中获益。
So why would China kill the goose that lays the golden egg?
因此，中国难道会杀了这只下金蛋的鹅？
1.complain about 抱怨，投诉
Do you complain about big things or little things?
你抱怨的是大事情还是小东西？
Now you can't complain about it falling apart.
现在车要散架了，你不能埋怨。
2.compare with 与…相比；比得上
Life isn't fair-don't compare with or be jealous of others.
生活并不是公平的不要比较也不要嫉妒别人。
Atheists have precious little to compare with this.
相比之下，无神论者的资源就少得可怜。
3.along with 和…一起，随着
Along with time, it will take effort.
随着时间的推移，一定会成功的。
Along with memories, she came home with several mementoes.
她带了一些纪念品回家，连同她的美好回忆。

1 multinationals   

跨国公司( multinational的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• These local companies are only small fry compared with the huge multinationals. 同那些跨国公司比，这些当地的公司不过是小鱼小虾。
• Some people believe that the multinationals have too much power. 有人认为跨国公司的权力太大了。

2 guardian   

n.监护人；守卫者，保护者

参考例句：

• The form must be signed by the child's parents or guardian. 这张表格须由孩子的家长或监护人签字。
• The press is a guardian of the public weal. 报刊是公共福利的卫护者。

3 warriors   

武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• I like reading the stories ofancient warriors. 我喜欢读有关古代武士的故事。
• The warriors speared the man to death. 武士们把那个男子戳死了。

4 grouse   

n.松鸡；v.牢骚，诉苦

参考例句：

• They're shooting grouse up on the moors.他们在荒野射猎松鸡。
• If you don't agree with me,please forget my grouse.如果你的看法不同，请不必介意我的牢骚之言。

5 corrupt   

v.贿赂，收买；adj.腐败的，贪污的

参考例句：

• The newspaper alleged the mayor's corrupt practices.那家报纸断言市长有舞弊行为。
• This judge is corrupt.这个法官贪污。

6 spate   

n.泛滥，洪水，突然的一阵

参考例句：

• Police are investigating a spate of burglaries in the area.警察正在调查这一地区发生的大量盗窃案。
• Refugees crossed the border in full spate.难民大量地越过了边境。

7 investigator   

n.研究者，调查者，审查者

参考例句：

• He was a special investigator for the FBI.他是联邦调查局的特别调查员。
• The investigator was able to deduce the crime and find the criminal.调查者能够推出犯罪过程并锁定罪犯。

8 inquiry   

n.打听，询问，调查，查问

参考例句：

• Many parents have been pressing for an inquiry into the problem.许多家长迫切要求调查这个问题。
• The field of inquiry has narrowed down to five persons.调查的范围已经缩小到只剩5个人了。

9 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

10 bribery   

n.贿络行为，行贿，受贿

参考例句：

• FBI found out that the senator committed bribery.美国联邦调查局查明这个参议员有受贿行为。
• He was charged with bribery.他被指控受贿。

11 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

12 inquiries   

n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听

参考例句：

• He was released on bail pending further inquiries. 他获得保释，等候进一步调查。
• I have failed to reach them by postal inquiries. 我未能通过邮政查询与他们取得联系。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

13 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。

14 outraged   

a.震惊的，义愤填膺的

参考例句：

• Members of Parliament were outraged by the news of the assassination. 议会议员们被这暗杀的消息激怒了。
• He was outraged by their behavior. 他们的行为使他感到愤慨。

15 apoplectic   

adj.中风的；愤怒的；n.中风患者

参考例句：

• He died from a stroke of apoplexy.他死于中风。
• My father was apoplectic when he discovered the truth.我父亲在发现真相后勃然大怒。

16 outlets   

n.出口( outlet的名词复数 )；经销店；插座；廉价经销店

参考例句：

• The dumping of foreign cotton blocked outlets for locally grown cotton. 外国棉花的倾销阻滞了当地生产的棉花的销路。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• They must find outlets for their products. 他们必须为自己的产品寻找出路。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

17 dubbed   

v.给…起绰号( dub的过去式和过去分词 )；把…称为；配音；复制

参考例句：

• Mathematics was once dubbed the handmaiden of the sciences. 数学曾一度被视为各门科学的基础。
• Is the movie dubbed or does it have subtitles? 这部电影是配音的还是打字幕的？ 来自《简明英汉词典》

18 prospects   

n.希望，前途(恒为复数)

参考例句：

• There is a mood of pessimism in the company about future job prospects. 公司中有一种对工作前景悲观的情绪。
• They are less sanguine about the company's long-term prospects. 他们对公司的远景不那么乐观。

19 motives   

n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• to impeach sb's motives 怀疑某人的动机
• His motives are unclear. 他的用意不明。

20 busting   

打破，打碎( bust的现在分词 )； 突击搜查（或搜捕）； （使）降级，降低军阶

参考例句：

• Jim and his wife were busting up again yesterday. 吉姆和他的妻子昨天又吵架了。
• He figured she was busting his chops, but it was all true. 他以为她在捉弄他，其实完全是真的。

21 promising   

adj.有希望的，有前途的

参考例句：

• The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
• We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。

22 susceptible   

adj.过敏的，敏感的；易动感情的，易受感动的

参考例句：

• Children are more susceptible than adults.孩子比成人易受感动。
• We are all susceptible to advertising.我们都易受广告的影响。

23 peddle   

vt.(沿街)叫卖，兜售；宣传，散播

参考例句：

• She loves to peddle gossip round the village.她喜欢在村里到处说闲话。
• Street vendors peddle their goods along the sidewalk.街头摊贩沿著人行道兜售他们的商品。

24 lame   

adj.跛的，(辩解、论据等)无说服力的

参考例句：

• The lame man needs a stick when he walks.那跛脚男子走路时需借助拐棍。
• I don't believe his story.It'sounds a bit lame.我不信他讲的那一套。他的话听起来有些靠不住。

25 graft   

n.移植，嫁接，艰苦工作，贪污；v.移植，嫁接

参考例句：

• I am having a skin graft on my arm soon.我马上就要接受手臂的皮肤移植手术。
• The minister became rich through graft.这位部长透过贪污受贿致富。

26 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

27 crutch   

n.T字形拐杖；支持，依靠，精神支柱

参考例句：

• Her religion was a crutch to her when John died.约翰死后，她在精神上依靠宗教信仰支撑住自己。
• He uses his wife as a kind of crutch because of his lack of confidence.他缺乏自信心，总把妻子当作主心骨。

28 propping   

支撑

参考例句：

• You can usually find Jack propping up the bar at his local. 你常常可以看见杰克频繁出没于他居住的那家酒店。
• The government was accused of propping up declining industries. 政府被指责支持日益衰败的产业。

29 precedent   

n.先例，前例；惯例；adj.在前的，在先的

参考例句：

• Is there a precedent for what you want me to do?你要我做的事有前例可援吗？
• This is a wonderful achievement without precedent in Chinese history.这是中国历史上亘古未有的奇绩。

30 softening   

变软，软化

参考例句：

• Her eyes, softening, caressed his face. 她的眼光变得很温柔了。它们不住地爱抚他的脸。 来自汉英文学 - 家（1-26） - 家（1-26）
• He might think my brain was softening or something of the kind. 他也许会觉得我婆婆妈妈的，已经成了个软心肠的人了。

31 harassment   

n.骚扰，扰乱，烦恼，烦乱

参考例句：

• She often got telephone harassment at night these days.这些天她经常在夜晚受到电话骚扰。
• The company prohibits any form of harassment.公司禁止任何形式的骚扰行为。

32 inviting   

adj.诱人的，引人注目的

参考例句：

• An inviting smell of coffee wafted into the room.一股诱人的咖啡香味飘进了房间。
• The kitchen smelled warm and inviting and blessedly familiar.这间厨房的味道温暖诱人，使人感到亲切温馨。