Hong Kong Exporters May Be Unready for Strict New Security M

Broadcast: Jan 27,2003

 

Measures under the new U.S. Container Security Initiative, or CSI, go into effect February second in Hong Kong and there could be a slow down in exports.

The new rules, which require shippers to register all U.S. bound goods at least 24-hours before sailing, aim to cut the chances terrorists can use cargo¹ containers to transport biological weapons or explosives into American ports.

The United States has concluded similar agreements with governments around the globe. But Hong Kong is a key port as it handles the highest volume of U.S. bound cargo in the world, an average of 6,200 containers a day.

The Deputy Commissioner² of U.S. Customs Gordon Browning acknowledges that as many as a quarter of Hong Kong exporters might not be prepared to comply with stricter rules. "I hear varying numbers as to the total perception from the carrier side as to who's ready to comply with the rule," he says. "Those numbers have gone anywhere from 25 percent, up to as high as 50 percent. But the good news is we hear that people are starting to, in fact, begin to put themselves into the position were they can begin to comply with the requirements of the rule."

Mr. Browning says that shippers have had a 60-day grace period to make procedural adjustments - so those not ready will face fines or be barred from loading goods.

In mainland China, Beijing has renewed its ¹⁾pledge to crack down on illegal piracy³ of Internet games. The government is stepping up a crackdown on Internet cafés where state media report pirated versions of games outnumber legitimate⁴ versions 10-to-one. The move is part of China's efforts to comply with international copyright laws.

The Internet is strictly⁵ controlled in China, but there are thousands of illegal or underground cafes that aim to ²⁾circumvent government ³⁾censorship.

A survey of Australian manufacturers shows an optimistic outlook for the year ahead, despite worries over economic impact of the country's worst drought in a century and the looming⁶ threat of conflict in the Middle East.

An Australian Industry Group survey reports that manufacturers are upbeat after strong growth in the second half of 2002 and that the ⁴⁾momentum is expected to continue. The survey also estimates that, based on sales figures, the manufacturing sector⁷ would grow by more than four percent in 2003.

Katherine Maria VOA news, Hong Kong

 

1)    pledge to 保证，抵押

2)    circumvent[7sE:kEm5vent]vt. 围绕, 包围, 智取

3)    censorship [5sensEFip]n.审查机构, 审查制度

4)    momentum[mEu5mentEm]n. 动力, 要素

1 cargo   

n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物

参考例句：

• The ship has a cargo of about 200 ton.这条船大约有200吨的货物。
• A lot of people discharged the cargo from a ship.许多人从船上卸下货物。

2 commissioner   

n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员

参考例句：

• The commissioner has issued a warrant for her arrest.专员发出了对她的逮捕令。
• He was tapped for police commissioner.他被任命为警务处长。

3 piracy   

n.海盗行为，剽窃，著作权侵害

参考例句：

• The government has already adopted effective measures against piracy.政府已采取有效措施惩治盗版行为。
• They made the place a notorious centre of piracy.他们把这地方变成了臭名昭著的海盗中心。

4 legitimate   

adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法

参考例句：

• Sickness is a legitimate reason for asking for leave.生病是请假的一个正当的理由。
• That's a perfectly legitimate fear.怀有这种恐惧完全在情理之中。

5 strictly   

adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地

参考例句：

• His doctor is dieting him strictly.他的医生严格规定他的饮食。
• The guests were seated strictly in order of precedence.客人严格按照地位高低就座。

6 looming   

n.上现蜃景（光通过低层大气发生异常折射形成的一种海市蜃楼）v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的现在分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近

参考例句：

• The foothills were looming ahead through the haze. 丘陵地带透过薄雾朦胧地出现在眼前。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Then they looked up. Looming above them was Mount Proteome. 接着他们往上看，在其上隐约看到的是蛋白质组山。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 回顾与展望

7 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。