VOA标准英语2012--For Filipino-Chinese Merchants Ties Trump Tensions

 

For Filipino-Chinese Merchants Ties Trump¹ Tensions

The Chinese have been doing business in the Philippines for more than 1,000 years, integrating into a well-established Filipino-Chinese community. More than just business, they also produce political and religious leaders, says real estate dealer² Wilson Lee Flores.

"In fact the church that you are seeing at the back here, the first Filipino saint was the son of a Chinese immigrant who was a Christian³, who was serving in the church," said Lee Flores. "So, we are very much part and parcel of the Philippine life."

Despite the close historic ties, Filipino-Chinese merchants say the tension between the two countries about disputed territory is a concern for business.

"Both sides, we should placate⁴ them, try to moderate them," said Federation⁵ of Filipino-Chinese Chambers⁶ of Commerce and Industry spokesman George Chua-Cham. "There are always some rowdy people who want to instigate⁷ a lot of things. Not only on the side of China, but they're also on the side of Philippines. Because, anywhere you go you cannot avoid that. But, as much as possible, we try to downplay them and let reason be their guide."

Merchants here say the Filipinos and Chinese are like relatives - they may not always get along but are still family.

"I think that if we put the view in balance, that for 1,000 years the relationship has been good, the Chinese have always fought beside the Filipinos, in every war, in every revolution, and that the partnership⁸, even on a personal basis has been very good, then the people will have a lot to look forward to," said cosmetics⁹ dealer George Sy.

He points out the Chinese community lived through Spanish and then American rule by staying out of politics and focusing on business. 

1 trump   

n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭

参考例句：

• He was never able to trump up the courage to have a showdown.他始终鼓不起勇气摊牌。
• The coach saved his star player for a trump card.教练保留他的明星选手，作为他的王牌。

2 dealer   

n.商人，贩子

参考例句：

• The dealer spent hours bargaining for the painting.那个商人为购买那幅画花了几个小时讨价还价。
• The dealer reduced the price for cash down.这家商店对付现金的人减价优惠。

3 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

4 placate   

v.抚慰，平息(愤怒)

参考例句：

• He never attempts to placate his enemy.他从不企图与敌人和解。
• Even a written apology failed to placate the indignant hostess.甚至一纸书面道歉都没能安抚这个怒气冲冲的女主人。

5 federation   

n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会

参考例句：

• It is a federation of 10 regional unions.它是由十个地方工会结合成的联合会。
• Mr.Putin was inaugurated as the President of the Russian Federation.普京正式就任俄罗斯联邦总统。

6 chambers   

n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅

参考例句：

• The body will be removed into one of the cold storage chambers. 尸体将被移到一个冷冻间里。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Mr Chambers's readable book concentrates on the middle passage: the time Ransome spent in Russia. Chambers先生的这本值得一看的书重点在中间：Ransome在俄国的那几年。 来自互联网

7 instigate   

v.教唆，怂恿，煽动

参考例句：

• His object was to instigate a little rebellion on the part of the bishop.他的目的是，在主教方面煽起一场小小的造反。
• It would not prove worthwhile to instigate a nuclear attack.挑起核攻击最终是不值得的。

8 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

9 cosmetics   

n.化妆品

参考例句：

• We sell a wide range of cosmetics at a very reasonable price. 我们以公道的价格出售各种化妆品。
• Cosmetics do not always cover up the deficiencies of nature. 化妆品未能掩饰天生的缺陷。