VOA慢速英语2016 伦敦或将失去国际金融中心地位

AS IT IS 2016-08-03 London’s Position as International Financial Center at Risk 伦敦或将失去国际金融中心地位

Almost one-fourth of Britain’s national income is earned in and around the city of London. Much of the money comes from international businesses based there.

英国近四分之一的国民收入都是在伦敦及伦敦周围赚取的。其中大部分都源于总部位于此地的国际商业。

But the British vote to leave the European Union means London could lose its place as Europe’s leading business center.

但是英国公投脱离欧盟意味着伦敦或将会失去欧洲首要商业中心的地位。

As part of the European Union, Britain has rights to sell its services without tariffs 2 in many countries across the continent. The EU currently 3 has 28 member states, and it serves a market of 500 million people.

英国作为欧盟的一员，有权力在欧洲大陆向其他国家销售各项服务而不需要缴纳任何关税。目前，欧盟有28个成员国，拥有5亿人口的市场。

But when Britain officially leaves the bloc 4, London-based businesses will likely lose their tax-free access to the single EU market.As a result, some banks have already said they may move their operations to the European mainland.

但自英国正式脱欧之后，总部位于伦敦的企业将会在欧盟市场失去免税优惠。因此，一些银行已经表示将自己的业务迁往欧洲大陆。

David Slater is with the company London & Partners.Its goal is to strengthen London’s image overseas and help London-based businesses work with foreign partners.

David Slater在伦敦发展促进署工作。该公司的目标在于增强伦敦在海外的形象，并帮助总部位于伦敦的企业与海外展开合作。

Slater says the new government in Britain must negotiate 5 for businesses to have continued access to the single market.

Slater表示，英国新政府必须进行协调，保证企业有权继续进入欧盟的单一市场。

But some European leaders say Britain cannot have special economic ties with the European Union without permitting freedom of movement. They say people from EU member states should have the right to come freely to Britain.

但很多欧洲领导人表示，英国不允许自由出入境，就不能享有与欧盟的经济联系。他们表示欧盟其他国家的公民本应有权自由出入英国。

Concern over immigration was the main issue that drove the "Leave" campaign to victory in Britain’s Brexit vote.

有关移民问题的担忧是导致英国公投脱欧成功的主要原因

With the possibility that London will lose its special ties to the EU market, other cities are eyeing its position as Europe’s leading financial center. The list of cities that want to replace London includes Paris, Berlin and Amsterdam.

伦敦有可能失去与欧盟市场的特殊关系，因此其他城市正觊觎欧洲首要金融中心的地位。希望取代伦敦的城市有巴黎、柏林和阿姆斯特丹。

In France, government officials recently spoke 6 of "rolling out the red carpet" to businesses fleeing Brexit. They promised to make taxes for French expatriates the most favorable in Europe. The word “expatriate” is used to describe people who live outside their home country.

目前，法国官员表示“热烈庆祝”由于英国脱欧外逃的企业。他们承诺为法国侨民提供欧洲最优惠的税收政策。侨民是指没有在自己国家居住的人。

In Berlin, people see a chance to expand the city’s technology industry. Berlin is already Europe’s second biggest tech city after London. And, the prices for housing and offices are much less costly 7 there.

柏林的人们则看到了努力发展科技产业的机会。柏林已经是欧洲第二大科技城市，仅次于伦敦。此外，柏林住房和办公室租金远比伦敦便宜。

Lukas Kampfmann is with a business called Factory Berlin. The group is home to high-tech 8 companies, including the music website Soundcloud.

Lukas Kampfmann在一家叫柏林工厂的公司工作。该公司是高科技公司的所在地，其中包括音乐网站云录制。

“With Brexit, London has more or less taken itself out of the race,” Kampfmann said. “And we do believe that over time the advantage of Berlin will grow and more tech start-ups will come to Berlin.”

“脱欧之后，伦敦几乎就退出了角逐。”Kampfmann说道。“我们坚信，柏林的优势将日渐增长，也会有更多科技创业者会来柏林。”

Then there is Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. The New York Times newspaper recently rated Amsterdam as best placed to steal London’s position. The paper noted 9 that Amsterdam has international connections, an English-speaking population and appeal for expatriates.

随后是位于荷兰的阿姆斯特丹。《纽约时报》表示阿姆斯特丹最有望取代伦敦的位置。该报表示，阿姆斯特丹拥有说英语的人口吸引外侨，因此具有全球关系。

But London’s supporters still say their city will remain number one.

但伦敦支持者仍然表示伦敦将仍然是“老大哥”。

David Slater of London & Partners says the reason is because the businesspeople working in London want to stay there.

伦敦促进发展署的David Slater表示，原因在于在伦敦工作的人们依旧想留在这里。

Words in This Story

income – n. earnings 10

tariff 1 – n. taxes

rolling out the red carpet – phrase formally greeting or welcoming an important guest who has just arrived

expatriates – n. people who live in a foreign country

appeal – n. a quality that causes people to like someone or something