2006年VOA标准英语- Saudi King Signs Energy Deal With China

By Luis Ramirez
Beijing
23 January 2006

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, right, and Chinese President Hu Jintao, left, inspect the guard of honor during the welcome ceremony at Beijings Great Hall of the People, China Monday Jan. 23, 2006  
  
China has signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia that may boost Beijing's purchases of Saudi oil. The deal came during a visit by Saudi King Abdullah to the Chinese capital. 

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King Abdullah's three-day visit is the first to China by a Saudi ruler since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1990.

At the top of the agenda is, of course, oil. Saudi Arabia is one of the world's leading oil producers, and China, with its booming economy, has become one of the major purchasers.

The Saudi leader met with Chinese President Hu Jintao before signing a memorandum¹ of understanding, which broadly outlines the two countries intentions to increase cooperation on energy. China, the world's number-two petroleum² consumer, is eager to diversify³ its sources as its energy demands continue to soar.

James Brock, an independent consultant⁴ in Beijing who advises China's energy sector⁵, says Saudi Arabia is an attractive resource, because it is more dependable than some of the other places where China has been looking for oil.

"They [Saudis] are not as volatile⁶ places as Nigeria or Russia, where the supply has been highly variable," said Brock. "They are not as subject, or at least so far they have not been subject, to political upheaval⁷ like Iran and Iraq. So, they are a good, dependable supplier, and China would like to have as many of those as they can."

Saudi Arabia already accounts for about 17 percent of China's oil imports.

Officials gave few details on the five agreements, saying only that they had to do with cooperation on oil, gas, and minerals; expanding trade, and avoiding dual⁸ taxation⁹. There was also an agreement on a Saudi loan to fund a development project in China's largely Muslim region of Xinjiang.

The Saudi King's visit to Beijing follows a visit by Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing last week to several West African nations, including oil-rich Nigeria. China announced this month it is bidding for a major stake in a Nigerian oil field.

1 memorandum   

n.备忘录，便笺

参考例句：

• The memorandum was dated 23 August,2008.备忘录上注明的日期是2008年8月23日。
• The Secretary notes down the date of the meeting in her memorandum book.秘书把会议日期都写在记事本上。

2 petroleum   

n.原油，石油

参考例句：

• The Government of Iran advanced the price of petroleum last week.上星期伊朗政府提高了石油价格。
• The purpose of oil refinery is to refine crude petroleum.炼油厂的主要工作是提炼原油。

3 diversify   

v.（使）不同，（使）变得多样化

参考例句：

• Our company is trying to diversify.我们公司正力图往多样化方面发展。
• Hills and woods diversify the landscape.山陵和树木点缀景色。

4 consultant   

n.顾问；会诊医师，专科医生

参考例句：

• He is a consultant on law affairs to the mayor.他是市长的一个法律顾问。
• Originally,Gar had agreed to come up as a consultant.原来，加尔只答应来充当我们的顾问。

5 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。

6 volatile   

adj.反复无常的，挥发性的，稍纵即逝的，脾气火爆的；n.挥发性物质

参考例句：

• With the markets being so volatile,investments are at great risk.由于市场那么变化不定，投资冒着很大的风险。
• His character was weak and volatile.他这个人意志薄弱，喜怒无常。

7 upheaval   

n.胀起，(地壳)的隆起；剧变，动乱

参考例句：

• It was faced with the greatest social upheaval since World War Ⅱ.它面临第二次世界大战以来最大的社会动乱。
• The country has been thrown into an upheaval.这个国家已经陷入动乱之中。

8 dual   

adj.双的；二重的，二元的

参考例句：

• The people's Republic of China does not recognize dual nationality for any Chinese national.中华人民共和国不承认中国公民具有双重国籍。
• He has dual role as composer and conductor.他兼作曲家及指挥的双重身分。

9 taxation   

n.征税，税收，税金

参考例句：

• He made a number of simplifications in the taxation system.他在税制上作了一些简化。
• The increase of taxation is an important fiscal policy.增税是一项重要的财政政策。