VOA标准英语2008年-Bush Wraps Up Olympic Visit, Stresses Ties to C

U.S. President George Bush is stressing the importance of continued American ties with China, saying while there are disagreements, there are also important areas where the two countries can work together. VOA White House correspondent Paula Wolfson reports he spoke¹ on the final day of his stay at the Beijing Summer Olympics.
　
U.S. President George W. Bush waves a flag with first lady Laura Bush as U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps competes in the men's 200 meter freestyle semi-finals at the 2008 Summer Olympic games in Beijing, China, 10 Aug 2008

Mr. Bush spent his last hours in Beijing watching swimming and baseball, and reflecting on his visit to the Chinese capital.

During an interview with America's NBC television network, he talked about the changes that have taken place in China since the 1970's when his father was a top U.S. diplomatic in Beijing. And he offered some advice for his successor: move quickly to build a cooperative but candid² relationship with Chinese leaders.

"It's really important for future Presidents to understand the relationship between China and the region, and it's important to make sure that America is engaged with China - even though we may have some disagreements," he said.

Mr. Bush said he brought up areas of disagreement during his talks in Beijing with Chinese President Hu Jintao. But he also stressed that by working together on sensitive international issues, the United States and China can make a big difference.

"I think you ought to look at the relationship as one of constructive³ engagement where you can find common areas, like North Korea and Iran, but also be in a position where they respect you enough to listen to your views on religious freedom and political liberty," Mr. Bush said.

During his stay in China, President Bush attended Sunday worship services at a state-registered church, rather than a so-called "underground" church, which operates without government approval. He defended his decision to pray there, saying it gave him a venue⁴ to make an important point.

"It gave me a chance to say to the Chinese people, religion won't hurt you, you ought to welcome religious people," he said. "And it gave me a chance to say to the government, why don't you register the underground churches and give them a chance to flourish?"

Mr. Bush said he came to Beijing to cheer on the American Olympic team, but also to show his respect for the Chinese people. He said China is a big, important nation, and in order to find common ground and overcome disagreements, it is necessary for the United States and China to respect each other.

 

1 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

2 candid   

adj.公正的，正直的；坦率的

参考例句：

• I cannot but hope the candid reader will give some allowance for it.我只有希望公正的读者多少包涵一些。
• He is quite candid with his friends.他对朋友相当坦诚。

3 constructive   

adj.建设的，建设性的

参考例句：

• We welcome constructive criticism.我们乐意接受有建设性的批评。
• He is beginning to deal with his anger in a constructive way.他开始用建设性的方法处理自己的怒气。

4 venue   

n.犯罪地点，审判地，管辖地，发生地点，集合地点

参考例句：

• The hall provided a venue for weddings and other functions.大厅给婚礼和其他社会活动提供了场所。
• The chosen venue caused great controversy among the people.人们就审判地点的问题产生了极大的争议。