VOA慢速英语2014 美国眼中的南海局势

 

AS IT IS 2014-08-12 US to Observe Situation in South China Sea 美国眼中的南海局势

The United States says it will closely observe the situation in the South China Sea to ensure steps are being taken to reduce tensions in the area.

The State Department released a statement one day after China dismissed a call by the U.S. for China to stop taking actions that it believes could increase tensions. The U.S. made the proposal at a meeting of the Association of South East Asian Nations -- or ASEAN. Secretary of State John Kerry called on ASEAN countries to manage territorial¹ disputes based on international law. He said he is hopeful that tensions can be ended.  

“We all underscored the importance of negotiations² on a binding³ code of conduct. And I stressed the importance of everybody clarifying claims under international law and proceeding⁴ under the legal process through the law, through arbitration⁵, and also through bilateral⁶ relationships.”

China and some Southeast Asian nations were not happy about the U.S. statement. China said by supporting countries like the Philippines and Vietnam, the U.S. was making the situation worse.

Efforts by the United States and the Philippines to persuade ASEAN members to support a temporary halt to oil drilling in disputed waters were unsuccessful. China said the U.S. was using the issue to interfere⁷ in the area.

In May, tensions in the South China Sea area rose sharply when China placed a huge oil-drilling rig in waters claimed by Vietnam. 

Disagreement over the disputed sea has divided ASEAN. Several members have made territorial claims in the South China Sea. But they do not want to anger China. 

In the past, China has been able to use its influence to block action on territorial issues. For example, talks ended without agreement when Cambodia chaired the ASEAN meeting in 2012. Cambodia is an ally of China.

1 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。

2 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。

3 binding   

有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的

参考例句：

• The contract was not signed and has no binding force. 合同没有签署因而没有约束力。
• Both sides have agreed that the arbitration will be binding. 双方都赞同仲裁具有约束力。

4 proceeding   

n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报

参考例句：

• This train is now proceeding from Paris to London.这次列车从巴黎开往伦敦。
• The work is proceeding briskly.工作很有生气地进展着。

5 arbitration   

n.调停，仲裁

参考例句：

• The wage disagreement is under arbitration.工资纠纷正在仲裁中。
• Both sides have agreed that the arbitration will be binding.双方都赞同仲裁具有约束力。

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 interfere   

v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰

参考例句：

• If we interfere, it may do more harm than good.如果我们干预的话，可能弊多利少。
• When others interfere in the affair,it always makes troubles. 别人一卷入这一事件，棘手的事情就来了。