英闻天下——475 Boao Forum, Seeking Development for All
英语课
Secretary-General of the Boao Forum 1 for Asia Zhou Wenzhong explains why this year's theme is about "seeking development for all".
"At a time (when we) saw economic difficulties for various reasons, including political considerations at home, countries can be more protective and this is understandable. But I think we should keep in mind that protectionism will only make the growth more difficult for everyone."
China has expressed clear opposition 2 to trade protectionism, especially amid the global economic downturn. Zhou says that cooperation between Asian countries is a wise choice.
"Asia is still the fastest-growing region in the world and Asia is becoming an engine. (I know that) they have come up with all kinds of plans; my understanding is that Thailand wants to develop a high-speed railway from Thailand to Cambodia, and Malaysia and Singapore are talking about a high-speed rail system between them."
Zhou Wenzhong adds that Asia's development also needs the cooperation with countries outside the continent, like the US. Regarding the difficulties that Chinese enterprises meet when investing in the US, he says it is common knowledge that the world is becoming more diversified 3. Differences should be respected and should not be an obstacle for cooperation.
"I think we should learn to live together in order to grow together. As far as the Chinese businesses in the US is concerned, I think they are very interested in making investments in the United States, but very often we keep hearing bad news. So that has made the environment very unfriendly as far as Chinese investments are concerned. I think that's not fair, because since China's opening up in the 1970s, US businesses have made a lot of investments in China, and China has benefited from that investment. We continue to welcome foreign investment, including the US investment, so we hope the US would also welcome Chinese investment."
In addition to economic issues this year's agenda also includes topics concerning education, health, food safety, and culture.
Zhou is calling for joint 4 efforts in dealing 5 with food safety.
"It concerns people's health. And it also concerns the stable growth of an economy. I think food safety is an issue we all need to do something about, because no country can try to complete or finish the job relying only on itself."
It's important for Asian countries to speak out concerning their needs and talk to each other. As globalization is inevitable 6, what the countries need to know is how to learn to live with it, and try to benefit from it as much as possible.
1 forum
n.论坛，讨论会
- They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
- The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。
2 opposition
n.反对，敌对
- The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
- The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。
3 diversified
adj.多样化的，多种经营的v.使多样化，多样化( diversify的过去式和过去分词 )；进入新的商业领域
- The college biology department has diversified by adding new courses in biotechnology. 该学院生物系通过增加生物技术方面的新课程而变得多样化。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- Take grain as the key link, develop a diversified economy and ensure an all-round development. 以粮为纲，多种经营，全面发展。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
4 joint
adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合
- I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
- We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。
5 dealing
n.经商方法，待人态度
- This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
- His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。
6 inevitable
adj.不可避免的，必然发生的
- Mary was wearing her inevitable large hat.玛丽戴着她总是戴的那顶大帽子。
- The defeat had inevitable consequences for British policy.战败对英国政策不可避免地产生了影响。