VOA标准英语2011--Obama Nominates New US Ambassador to Chi
时间：2019-01-14 作者：英语课 分类：VOA标准英语2011年(三月)
President Barack Obama on Wednesday named his Commerce Secretary, Gary Locke, to be the new U.S. Ambassador to China. If confirmed, Locke will be the first American of Chinese ancestry 1 to serve as the nation's top liaison 2 in Beijing.
The president said that as the grandson of a Chinese immigrant to the United States, Locke is the right person to advance ties between the two countries.
"More than 100 years ago, Gary's grandfather left China on a steamboat bound for America, where he worked as a domestic servant in Washington state. A century later, his grandson will return to China as America's top diplomat 3."
Locke said he is eager to begin the assignment. "I am going back to the birthplace of my grandfather, my father, my mom and her side of the family, and I will be doing so as a devoted 4 and passionate 5 advocate for America - the country where I was born and raised."
Locke's appointment to the post requires confirmation 6 by the U.S. Senate.
He would replace outgoing Ambassador Jon Huntsman, a Republican who might seek to challenge Obama in the 2012 presidential race.
China is the world's most populous 7 country and has one of the fastest-growing economies. Relations between the United States and China often have been strained over human rights and economic issues.
As he introduced Locke, the Obama called the U.S.-China relationship "one of the most critical of the 21st century."
"Over the last two years, we worked hard to build a relationship that serves our national interest - addressing global security issues and expanding opportunities for American companies and American workers. Continued cooperation between our countries will be good for America, it will be good for China and it will be good for the world," said the president.
One of Obama's economic priorities is to dramatically increase U.S. exports, especially to China. Locke said he has worked toward that end and would continue to do so in his new post.
"As Commerce Secretary, I have helped open up foreign markets for American businesses so they can create more jobs right here in America. And I am eager to continue that work in China and to help you, Mr. President, manage one of America's most critical and complex diplomatic, economic and strategic relationships."
The president said U.S. companies will be able to count on the new ambassador to represent their interests in front of China's top leaders.
- Their ancestry settled the land in 1856.他们的祖辈1856年在这块土地上定居下来。
- He is an American of French ancestry.他是法国血统的美国人。
- She acts as a liaison between patients and staff.她在病人与医护人员间充当沟通的桥梁。
- She is responsible for liaison with researchers at other universities.她负责与其他大学的研究人员联系。
- The diplomat threw in a joke, and the tension was instantly relieved.那位外交官插进一个笑话，紧张的气氛顿时缓和下来。
- He served as a diplomat in Russia before the war.战前他在俄罗斯当外交官。
- He devoted his life to the educational cause of the motherland.他为祖国的教育事业贡献了一生。
- We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。
- He is said to be the most passionate man.据说他是最有激情的人。
- He is very passionate about the project.他对那个项目非常热心。
- We are waiting for confirmation of the news.我们正在等待证实那个消息。
- We need confirmation in writing before we can send your order out.给你们发送订购的货物之前，我们需要书面确认。