看新聞，學英語！VOA 雙語新聞 - 星期五 (06132008) (ZT)

星期五 (06132008)

Taiwan and China Sign Deal on Passenger Flights, Tourists
(台灣與中國大陸簽署民航和遊客協議)

China and Taiwan have signed a landmark deal to launch regular direct flights and allow mainland tourists to visit the island. The two sides signed the deal today (Friday) in Beijing on the second day of their first formal meeting since 1999. They reached the agreement on Thursday. The agreement allows for charter passenger flights on Saturday and Sunday starting next month. Apart from special holidays, there have been no direct flights between the two rivals since a civil war divided them in 1949. After signing the agreement today, China's official Xinhua news agency says Taiwan's Chiang Pin-kung and his delegation met with Chinese President Hu Jintao. During the meeting, Hu called the resumption of talks a good start

中國大陸和台灣簽署具有裏程碑意義的協議，啟動兩岸定期直航並允許大陸遊客到台灣觀光。 雙方今天(星期五)在1999年以來首次正式會晤的第二天於北京簽署了這項協議。雙方星期四就這項協議達成共識。 這項協議規定，兩岸從下個月開始在星期六和星期天飛行客運包機。自從內戰於1949年將雙方分割以來，兩岸除了特殊假日以外，沒有直飛航班。 雙方星期五簽署協議後，中國官方的新華社說，台灣的江丙坤及其代表團會見了中國國家主席胡錦濤。會見中，胡錦濤說，兩岸恢複談判是改善關係的良好起點。

Explosion Traps 34 Workers in China Mine
(中國煤礦爆炸34人被困)

Thirty-four workers remain trapped underground in a coal mine in northern China. China's official Xinhua news agency says nine miners have been rescued and 15 others escaped on their own.  The report says explosives went off accidentally while some 58 miners were working deep in a mine in Shanxi province (Xiaoyi City) today (Friday).  More than 100 rescuers are trying to reach those still stuck underground. China's mining industry is unsafe, but Xinhua says the mine passed recent safety inspections. China has the world's deadliest mines. Last year, explosions, cave-ins and floods in mines in China killed around 38-hundred people.

中國北部的一個煤礦發生爆炸，34名礦工被困。 中國官方新華社今天(星期五)報導，在那個炸藥意外爆炸的事件中，9名礦工獲救，還有15名礦工自己逃了出來。 報導說，今天(星期五)山西省孝義市一個礦井裏炸藥意外爆炸，當時有58名礦工在深井下采煤。 目前有一百多名救援人員設法營救仍然陷入地下的礦工。 中國礦業不安全，但新華社說，這個煤礦最近剛通過安全檢查。 中國礦井的死亡人數是世界最多的。去年中國礦井發生的爆炸、塌方和透水等事故造成大約3800人喪生。

星期四 (06122008)

Chinese Authorities Block Access to Schools, bar Foreign Journalists Access to Quake Town
(中國當局阻止進入學校，禁止外國記者進入震區城鎮)

Chinese authorities have kicked foreign journalists out of a town in quake-struck Sichuan province where a collapsed school has sparked protests from angry parents of children killed in the earthquake. Checkpoints were set up around Juyuan today (Thursday), and several foreign journalists were ordered to return to theprovincial capital of Chengdu after they tried to report from a collapsed middle school there. Police are also barring parents from Juyuan Middle School and other schools around the province as they mark one month since China's massive seven-point-nine earthquake struck. Chinese authorities say they are investigating what caused so many schools to collapse, as parents demand authorities take responsibility for what they say are poorly built schools.

中國當局把外國記者趕出四川省地震災區的一個鎮，當地一處學校倒塌引發地震中死難學生憤怒的家長舉行抗議。星期四，當局在聚源縣周圍設立檢查站，幾名外國記者試圖從當地一所倒塌的中學做報道，但被勒令返回四川省會成都。 警察還禁止家長進入聚源中學和四川其他學校紀念7.9級的大地震發生一個月。中國當局說，目前正在調查大量學校倒塌的原因，同時學生家長要求當局為家長所稱的學校建築質量低劣負責。

China Denies Hacking US Lawmakers' Computers
(中國否認侵入美國議員電腦)

China has rejected allegations that government-backed hackers broke into U.S. lawmakers' computers and copied sensitive information about Chinese dissidents and human rights.  China's foreign ministry spokesman said today (Thursday) that China does not have the technology to carry out such attacks on U.S. computers because it is still a developing country. He said some people should not be so paranoid. Two U.S. lawmakers said Wednesday that computers in their congressional offices were hacked into, apparently by Chinese sources. Virginia Republican Representative Frank Wolf, a key critic of China's human rights record, says four of his computers were compromised, beginning in 2006. He said the FBI told him the source of the attacks was inside China. Fellow Republican Representative Chris Smith of New Jersey also says he was targeted.

中國否認有關中國政府支持的電腦黑客侵入美國國會議員的電腦並複製涉及中國異議人士及人權情況的敏感信息的指稱。 中國外交部發言人今天(星期四)說，中國目前不具備對美國電腦進行這類入侵的技術，因為中國還是一個發展中國家。他表示，有些人不應當疑神疑鬼。 兩名美國議員星期三說，他們的國會辦公室的電腦被侵入，黑客顯然來自中國。維吉尼亞州的共和黨眾議員沃爾夫是批評中國人權記錄的主要人士。他說，自從2006年以來，他有四台電腦遭到破壞，並說美國聯邦調查局告訴他，這些攻擊的源頭來自中國境內。新澤西州的共和黨眾議員史密斯表示，他的電腦也被攻擊。

星期三 (06112008)

China to Check all Schools for Quake Resistance
(中國將檢查所有學校防震性能)

China has ordered all of its schools nationwide to check the quake resistance of their buildings after last month's massive earthquake killed thousands of school children. China's Ministry of Education says schools should be thoroughly checked before the beginning of September to eliminate hidden dangers and guarantee the safety of teachers and students. In a statement released today (Wednesday), the ministry also said inspections should pay close attention to concrete and brick facilities built before 2001. Thousands of schools collapsed during the May 12th earthquake and by some estimates more than six-thousand students died. Thousands of schools collapsed during the May 12th earthquake and by some estimates more than six-thousand students died. Grieving and angry parents of have held protests, demanding authorities take responsibility for what they say is the shoddy construction of the buildings.

上個月四川大地震造成數以千計學生死亡後，中國命令全國所有學校對學校建築的防震性能進行檢查。中國教育部說，所有學校必須在9月開始之前進行全麵檢查，以消除隱患，保證教師和學生的安全。 教育部在今天(星期三)發表的一個聲明中還說，應當特別注意檢查2001年之前建造的混凝土和磚結構的建築。數以千計的學校在5月12號大地震中倒塌，估計死亡學生超過6千。 悲憤的學生家長舉行抗議活動，要求當局為校舍的低劣建築質量負責。

Times: Bush Expresses Regret For 'Rhetoric' Leading to Iraq War
(泰晤士報：布什對伊戰前“措辭”表示遺憾)

U.S. President George Bush has told a British daily newspaper that he regrets appearing, in his words, "anxious" for the 2003 war in Iraq. In an interview published today (Wednesday) in The Times, Mr. Bush said he could have used a different rhetoric in the run-up to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. He said his use of phrases such as "bring them on" and "dead or alive" made people believe he was not a man of peace.  Mr. Bush also said he was troubled about how the United States had been misunderstood ahead of the invasion, and he expressed regret about divisions caused by the war.

美國總統布什告訴一家英國報紙說，他為2003年對伊拉克戰爭顯得“急切”而感到遺憾。布什在泰晤士報星期三發表的采訪中說，在以美國為首的對伊拉克戰爭打響之前，他本可以使用不同的措辭。他表示，使用“讓他們來吧”和“不論死活”這樣的措辭使人們認為他不是維護和平的人。 布什還說，他對美國在對伊拉克戰爭之前被人誤解感到憂慮。他還對這場戰爭引發的分歧表示遺憾。

星期二 (06102008)

Chinese Markets Plunge on New Central Bank Regulation
(中國股市受央行規定影響下跌)

Chinese stock prices plunged today (Tuesday) after the central bank announced new tightening measures. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index lost seven-point-seven percent (257 points), closing at three-thousand-72, while the smaller Shenzhen index lost more than eight percent (81 points) to close at 928. Chinese financial markets were closed Monday for a national holiday, so today was the earliest investors could react to a central bank decision ordering banks to keep more deposits on hand

中國股市星期二在中央銀行宣布新的緊縮措施後下跌。具有指標性的上海綜合指數下跌7.7%，以3千072點收盤。規模小一些的深圳指數下跌超過8%，以928點收盤。 中國金融市場因星期一國家節日關閉。因此，今天是投資人能夠對中央銀行下令各銀行保留更多存款準備金的決定作出反應的最早時間。

China Declares Decisive Victory in Battle With Quake Lake
(中國宣告堰塞湖泄洪取得決定性成功)

China says it has won a decisive victory in its battle to drain a brimming lake formed by last month's massive earthquake, which threatens to flood downstream communities. The official Xinhua news agency says quake-struck Sichuan province's top official, Liu Qibao, made the announcement today (Tuesday) after waters began flowing rapidly from the so-called "quake lake." Xinhua says the water level in Tangjiashan lake is half drained. About 250-thousand people were evacuated from homes downstream and more than a million are under threat if the lake bursts. Drainage efforts began Saturday, and Chinese troops were forced to use anti-tank weapons to blast away rocks to speed up the drainage when water continued to rise. The lake formed when a quake-caused landslide formed a dam in the Tongkou river.

中國說，一個堰塞湖的泄洪戰鬥已經取得了決定性勝利，上個月大地震後形成的這個堰塞湖對下遊居民構成洪災威脅。官方新華社說，在所稱的堰塞湖中的水開始迅速排出後，四川省的最高官員劉其保今天(星期二)做出上述宣布。 新華社還說，唐家山堰塞湖的水位降低了一半。下遊大約25萬人已經從家中撤離，如果堰塞湖決堤，一百多萬人將受到威脅。 泄洪工作從上星期六開始，在水位不斷上漲的情況下，中國軍隊不得不動用反坦克武器轟擊岩石，以加速泄洪。地震造成的山體滑坡阻塞了通口河的河道，形成這個堰塞湖。

星期一 (06092008)

Bush Says Strong Dollar Serves US, Global Interests
(布什稱美元強勢有利於美國和全球利益)

U.S. President George Bush expressed concern about the economy and soaring energy prices in a brief statement before departing for Europe. Speaking to reporters today (Monday) as he left the White House, Mr. Bush said a strong dollar is in the interest of the United States and the global economy. He also said he will talk about the U.S. commitment to a strong dollar with European leaders during his week-long trip.

美國總統布什在啟程前往歐洲之前，對經濟狀況和能源價格飛漲表示擔憂。布什今天(星期一)在離開白宮時對記者說，美元強勁符合美國利益以及世界經濟。 布什還說，他在一周訪問期間他將與歐洲各國領導人討論貨幣問題。

Quake Lake' in China hit by Another Aftershock
(中國堰塞湖再次遭受餘震)

Another strong aftershock has struck a swollen lake in China that was formed by last month's massive earthquake and is threatening to flood thousands of homes downstream. U.S. seismologists say the five-point-zero magnitude aftershock rattled an area of quake-devastated Sichuan province where the lake is located. An aftershock of the same magnitude struck the region Sunday. Local officials say the aftershocks have not had any impact on the unstable body of water, but the official Xinhua news agency says the situation remains "highly dangerous." On Sunday, Chinese troops used anti-tank weapons to blast away rocks and speed up the drainage of water from the so-called "quake lake," but waters continue to rise. About 250-thousand people have been evacuated

又一次強烈餘震震撼了中國一座上月大地震形成的蓄滿水的堰塞湖，下遊數以千計的家居麵臨遭受水淹的威脅。 美國地震學家說，這次裏氏5級地震震撼了那個堰塞湖所在的四川遭受地震破壞的地區。星期天，同一地區發生了一次相同震級的餘震。 當地官員說，這些餘震還沒有對堰塞湖不穩定的水體造成任何影響，但官方的新華社說，局勢仍然“非常危險”。 星期天，中國軍隊動用反坦克武器爆破岩石，加速堰塞湖的泄洪速度，但水位繼續上漲。下遊大約25萬人已經撤離，如果自然形成的堰塞湖決口，可能必須撤離更多的人。

星期五 (06062008)

Obama, Clinton Meet to Unify Democratic Party
(奧巴馬和克林頓會晤以整合民主黨)

The presumed U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama held a private meeting with rival Hillary Clinton Thursday night, as the two seek to unify the party after their long and bruising nominating contest. After successfully eluding the media, the two met in Washington at the home of a Senate colleague. Their campaigns issued a joint public statement saying Obama and Clinton had a "productive discussion" about the November general election, but revealed no details. Clinton supporters have launched an effort to convince Obama to select her as his vice presidential running mate. But her campaign says she is not seeking the position, saying the choice is Obama's alone to make. The former first lady will officially suspend her bid for the Democratic nomination and support Obama in a public event in Washington on Saturday.

預料會獲得美國民主黨總統候選人提名的巴拉克.奧巴馬與競選對手希拉裏.克林頓私下會晤。在為獲得提名進行了長時間和傷害性的競爭之後，兩人努力爭取讓民主黨團結起來。 在成功躲避媒體後，兩人在華盛頓一名參議員的家中會晤。雙方競選團隊發表聯合聲明說，奧巴馬和克林頓就十一月份的大選問題進行了“富有成效的討論”，但沒有透露細節。 克林頓的支持者們努力設法說服奧巴馬選擇這位紐約州參議員作為副總統競選夥伴。但是，克林頓競選團隊發表聲明，否認克林頓尋求擔任競選夥伴，並說這隻能由奧巴馬作出選擇。 這位前第一夫人預計星期六在華盛頓一個公眾集會上正式停止她爭奪民主黨總統候選人提名的競爭，並表示支持奧巴馬。

US Bill on Climate Change is Blocked in Senate
(美國氣候變化議案被參議院封殺)

U.S. lawmakers today (Friday) blocked a sweeping climate change bill in the Senate after a bitter debate over its cost and impact on fuel prices. The bill received only 48 of the 60 votes needed to bring it for a final debate in the Senate. The measure calls for mandatory limits on the amount of greenhouse gases that U.S. power plants, refineries and factories can release. The bill would cut gas emissions by two-thirds by the year 2050. Supporters of the measure argued it would create millions of new jobs and new technology to make the United States more energy independent. But opponents, including U.S. President George Bush, said the measure would bring six-trillion dollars in new costs to the economy and put U.S. businesses at a disadvantage with foreign competitors.

美國參議院議員今天(星期五)封殺了一項大規模氣候變化議案。此前，議員們對法案的花費及其對燃料價格產生的影響進行了激烈的辯論。此議案隻獲得進入參議院最終辯論所需的60票中的48票。 議案要求對美國的發電廠、煉油廠和其他工廠的溫室氣體排放量進行強製限製，到2050年，把溫室氣體排放減少三分之二。 議案的支持者說，議案可以創造數以百萬計的工作機會；新的技術可以讓美國在能源方麵更加獨立。 但是包括美國總統布什在內的反對者說，議案會給美國經濟付出6萬億美元的代價，使美國企業在與外國競爭者競爭中處於不利地位。

星期四 (05052008)

State Media: China Arrests 16 Monks for Alleged Involvement in Bomb Attacks and Plots
(官方媒體：中國拘捕16名被控參與爆炸攻擊及謀劃喇嘛)

Chinese state media say police in Tibet have arrested 16 Buddhist monks and are seeking another three in connection with their alleged involvement in bomb attacks and plots in April. A report by China's official Xinhua news agency today (Thursday) quotes security officials in Tibet who say the monks were arrested last month and that the cases all occurred in an eastern part of the autonomous region in Mangkam county. The report alleges that the Tibetan Buddhist monks bombed a transformer in one township where they were plotting to bomb key county facilities. In another case, the report says monks ignited a bomb outside a police service station. In a third, the report says monks plotted to bomb a local resident's home.  No fatalities or injuries were reported in the blasts.  The report says the monks confessed to their involvement and said the monks were inspired by the violent unrest that hit Tibet's capital of Lhasa on March 14th.

中國官方媒體說，西藏警方逮捕了16個喇嘛，並且在搜捕另外3個喇嘛，據稱他們與4月份的炸彈襲擊和謀劃有關。中國官方新華社星期四援引西藏安全官員的話說，這些喇嘛在上個月被逮捕，有關事件都發生在西藏自治區東部的芒康縣。 報導指稱，這些喇嘛在一個鎮子炸毀一個變壓器，而且企圖炸毀當地一些主要縣鎮設施。報導說，在另一起案子中，喇嘛還在一個派出所外麵引爆一枚炸彈。在第三起案件中，報導說，喇嘛陰謀炸毀當地一個居民的家宅。 沒有報導說這些爆炸造成人員傷亡。 報導說，這些喇嘛坦白了他們參與這些案件。報導還說，這些喇嘛受到3月14日西藏首府拉薩暴力騷亂的鼓動。

Chinese Premier: Effort to Drain Quake Lake at "Critical Moment"
(中國總理：堰塞湖泄洪處在“關鍵時刻”)

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao says efforts to drain a lake formed by last month's massive earthquake are reaching a critical moment as rising waters threaten to burst the naturally formed dam.  China's official Xinhua news agency says Mr. Wen flew over the so-called quake lake today (Thursday) during this third visit to the earthquake zone in Sichuan province. Mr. Wen says the most important thing now is to ensure there are no casualties.

中國總理溫家寶說，隨著水位上漲可能導致一個自然形成的堰塞湖潰決，目前疏導由上個月大地震形成的一個堰塞湖的工作到了關鍵時刻。 中國官方的新華社說，溫家寶星期四對四川地震災區進行第三次視察，乘飛機越過所說的堰塞湖。溫家寶說，目前的首要任務是確保沒有傷亡。

星期三 (06042008)

Security Tight Ahead of Anniversary of Tiananmen Square Incident
(天安門廣場事件周年紀念前安全措施嚴密)

Chinese authorities stepped up security in Beijing's Tiananmen Square ahead of the anniversary today (Wednesday) of the government's 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protesters. Plainclothes police officers used video cameras to monitor the activities of people passing through the square in the Chinese capital. China's Communist rulers forbid any internal discussion of the June fourth incident, when military forces stormed into the capital in 1989, using armored vehicles， tanks and soldiers to launch an assault against unarmed demonstrators. The government has never provided a full accounting for the crackdown, but it is believed that hundreds, if not thousands, of protesters were killed. It is estimated that somewhere between 50 to 200 participants are still in prison for their participation in protests in 1989. The U.S. State Department is calling on China to fully disclose the number of those killed, detained or missing, and called for the release of those still held for taking part in the protests.

中國當局在今天(星期三)鎮壓1989年支持民主的抗議者19周年前，加強了北京天安門廣場的保安措施。便衣警察利用攝像機監督路過中國首都這個廣場民眾的活動。中國共產黨統治者禁止國內對六四事件進行任何討論，1989年6月4號軍隊強行衝進首都北京，動用裝甲車、坦克和軍人對手無寸鐵的示威者發起攻擊。 中國政府從來沒有全麵交代那次鎮壓的詳情，但是據信，被打死的抗議者即使沒有數千，也有數百。據估計，大約仍然有50到200人因為參加1989年的抗議活動而被關在監獄。美國國務院呼籲中國全麵公布被打死、拘捕或者失蹤的人數，並呼籲釋放那些因為參加抗議而仍被關押的人。

Chinese Authorities Block Access to Schools Destroyed During Earthquake
(中國當局阻止接近地震中被毀學校)

Chinese authorities are blocking access to schools destroyed by last month's deadly earthquake in an apparent effort to quell demonstrations by angry, grieving parents. Police and soldiers have been deployed outside several schools in quake-struck Sichuan province where parents are demanding official accountability for what they say is the shoddy construction of the facilities. Notices have also been posted to remind the public to maintain social order. Thousands of schools collapsed during the earthquake and officials are growing increasingly anxious over public displays of anger and media coverage. On Tuesday, more than 100 parents of children killed in the May 12th quake were forcibly dispersed, some dragged away, as they tried to stage a rally outside a courthouse in (the resort city of) Dujiangyan, in Sichuan province.

中國當局阻止人們進入被上個月的大地震摧毀的學校，顯然是試圖壓製悲憤的家長舉行的示威活動。在四川省災區，警察和士兵部署在幾所學校外麵，那裏的學生家長要求有關當局對家長所說的學校偽劣建築設施負責。此外，當局張貼布告，提醒公眾維護社會秩序。 數以千計的學校建築在大地震中坍塌，官員們對公開表現出的憤怒以及媒體的有關報導越來越感到焦慮。星期二，100多名在5月12號地震中喪生的學生的家長試圖在四川省都江堰市的一個法院門外集會，隨即被強行驅散，有些人被拖走。

星期二 (06032008)

 Clinton, Obama Compete in Final Primary Elections
(克林頓和奧巴馬在初選最後階段再較量)

The marathon-like U.S. Democratic party presidential primary election season comes to an end today (Tuesday) as voters cast ballots in the last two state contests. However, the Democratic Party may still not have its nominee for November's presidential election by the end of the day. U.S. Senator Barack Obama leads Senator Hillary Clinton in the number of delegates needed to win. But the combined 31 delegates at stake today in South Dakota and Montana are not enough to push him past the threshold to clinch the nomination. That means the nomination will be decided by so-called super delegates -- officials and elected office holders who are free to vote for either candidate at the party's nominating convention in August. Party officials say they think enough super delegates will announce their support for Obama after the polls close tonight to give him the nomination. Members of the Republican Party have already voted to nominate Arizona Senator John McCain as their presidential candidate.

像馬拉鬆一樣的美國民主黨總統候選人的初選階段今天(星期二)將告終。投票人前往最後兩個舉行初選的州的投票站。但是今天結束前，民主黨可能仍然沒有11月份總統大選的候選人。美國參議員奧巴馬在獲勝所需的代表人數上領先於參議員克林頓。但是在南達科他州和蒙塔那州要決出的總共31名代表的人數還不足以讓奧巴馬通過獲取提名的門檻。 這就意味著獲得提名的參選人要由所謂超級代表來決定。超級代表是指任命和選舉出的官員，他們可以在8月份的黨內提名大會上自行決定投票給哪一位參選人。民主黨官員認為，會有足夠多的超級代表在投票結束後宣布支持奧巴馬，讓他今晚獲得提名。 共和黨成員已經投票決定提名亞曆桑那州國會參議員麥凱恩為他們的總統候選人。

Japanese Naval Ship to Visit China Later This Month
(一艘日本軍艦本月將訪中國)

A Japanese naval ship will visit China later this month, the first such stop by a military vessel from Japan since World War Two. China's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Qin Gang, says the visit will help promote cooperation and mutual understanding between the two militaries. Qin told reporters in Beijing (today, Tuesday) that China and Japan are still working to finalize a date for the ship's visit.

一艘日本海軍軍艦本月晚些時候將駛抵中國訪問。自從第二次世界大戰結束以來，這將是日本海軍艦隻首次訪問中國。 中國外交部發言人秦剛說，這次訪問將有助於促進兩國軍隊的合作和相互理解。 秦剛今天(星期二)在北京對記者說，中國和日本目前正在研究確定這次訪問的日期。

星期一 (06022008)

China Refuses to Renew Licenses of Rights Lawyers
(中國拒絕更新兩位人權律師執照)

Two Chinese human rights lawyers say the government did not renew their licenses to practice law because they spoke out against the recent crackdown in Tibet. Teng Biao and Jiang Tianyong belong to a loose network of Chinese lawyers who often defend dissidents and protesters. In April, the two signed a letter urging full legal protection for Tibetans accused of protests and deadly rioting in March. The lawyers and New York-based Human Rights Watch said in a statement Friday that the Beijing Judicial Bureau has repeatedly refused to renew their annual professional licenses. HRW says no lawyer should be denied renewal of registration on the basis of the cases he represents.

兩名中國人權律師說，政府沒有更新他們的律師執照，因為他們公開批評最近在西藏的鎮壓。 滕彪和江天勇屬於一個鬆散的中國維權律師網絡，這些律師經常為異議人士和抗議者辯護。今年4月，他們兩人簽署了一封信，敦促對被控在3月間進行了抗議和致命騷亂的藏人給予全麵的法律保護。 這兩名律師和總部設在紐約的人權觀察組織星期五發表聲明說，北京司法局一再拒絕為他們更新年度律師執照。 人權觀察說，任何律師都不能因其所代理的案件而被拒絕更新執照。

Chinese Rescuers Search for Downed Helicopter
(中國救援人員搜尋墜毀直升機)

Chinese rescuers are searching the mountains of Sichuan province today (Monday) for a helicopter that crashed Saturday with 19 crew members, medical workers and earthquake survivors on board. The state-run Xinhua news agency reports there is no clue where the Mi-171 went down. Officials say heavy fog and turbulent winds were in the area when the aircraft disappeared. On Sunday, parents of some of the thousands of children killed in the May 12th quake in southwestern China marked International Children's Day with grief and anger. About 100 grieving parents met Sunday in the town of Juyuan where a middle school collapsed. A banner on part of the structure called for officials responsible for the shoddy construction to pay a "blood debt."

中國救援人員今天(星期一)搜索四川省的山區，尋找星期六墜毀的一架直升機，機上當時有19名機組人員、醫務工作者和地震幸存者。 官方的新華社報導說，目前還沒有那架米-171直升機墜毀地點的線索。有關官員說，直升機消失時，當地有濃霧和強氣流。 星期天，5月12號在中國西南地區大地震中數以千計喪生學生的一些家長在悲哀和憤怒中度過六一國際兒童節。 大約100名悲傷的父母星期天聚集在聚源鎮當地一所在地震中倒塌的中學。學校廢墟上掛著一麵橫幅，要求那些對偽劣建築工程負有責任的官員償還“血債”。

星期五 (05302008)

Chinese Officials Order Residents to Evacuate from Area of 'Quake Lake'
(中國官員命令堰塞湖地區居民疏散)

China's state-run media say authorities have ordered more than one million people living near a so-called "quake lake" in southwestern Sichuan province to evacuate to higher ground.  The Xinhua news agency says the order was issued today (Friday) for people in Mianyang city living downstream of the Tangjiashan lake, which was formed when the deadly May 12th earthquake triggered landslides that blocked rivers.  Authorities fear the lake will overflow as a result of flooding and strong aftershocks. Emergency workers have been working frantically to build a drain to relieve any excess water. More than 150-thousand people had already been evacuated from the area.  Beijing increased the official death toll from the massive earthquake to just over 68-thousand-850. Nearly 20-thousand others have been reported missing.

中國官方媒體說，當局已經下令在西南部的四川省一個堰塞湖附近居住的一百多萬人，疏散到地勢較高的地方。 新華社報導說，今天(星期五)下達的命令是對居住在唐家山湖下遊地區的綿陽市居民發布的。唐家山湖是五月十二號發生的災害性地震所引發的滑坡導致河流堵塞而形成的。 當局擔心洪水與強烈的餘震會導致湖水溢出。緊急救災人員一直在奮力建造一個疏通渠道以分流多餘的湖水。 這個地區已經有超過十五萬人被疏散。 北京公布的這場大地震造成的死亡人數提高到六萬八千八百五十多人。另外還有將近兩萬人失蹤。

Japan Decides Not to Send Military to Deliver Quake Aid to China
(日本決定不派軍機運送援華救災物資)

The Japanese government has announced it will not use military planes to deliver aid to earthquake victims in China. Japanese officials said today (Friday) they are planning to charter private planes to deliver tents and other relief goods. Tokyo had considered using military aircraft for the mission, but rethought the effort after messages appeared on Chinese web sites recalling Japan's occupation of China during World War Two.

日本政府宣布將不會動用軍用飛機向中國地震災民運送救援物資。 日本官員星期五表示，他們計劃租用民間包機運送帳篷和其它救援物資。 東京曾考慮使用軍用飛機執行救援使命，但是在中國網站出現回憶日本二戰期間占領中國的信息後，日本重新考慮了這一工作。

星期四 (05292008)

Chinese Premier has Page on Facebook
(中國總理在FACEBOOK上有網頁)

Chinese Premier has Page on Facebook Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is already hugely popular at home following his visits to quake-struck Sichuan province, and now he seems to be gaining popularity in cyberspace as well. Mr. Wen has his very own page on the Internet site Facebook, and he already has more than 22 thousand Facebook "friends" - people who have linked their sites to his. Mr. Wen's personal entry on Facebook first appeared on the social-networking site on May 14, two days after the massive earthquake that devastated southwestern China. The page is bursting with supportive comments from people in China and overseas, and it includes photos and videos of Mr. Wen walking through the rubble and comforting quake victims. Many postings are expressions of love and thanks. Some refer to Mr. Wen as premier, others as "Grandpa Wen."

中國總理溫家寶在幾次親臨四川地震災區後，在國內深得民心，現在看來他在網絡上也人氣大漲。美國社交網站FACEBOOK設置了溫家寶的個人網頁，他在這個網站已經有了2萬2千個“好友”，這些人把自己的網頁與溫家寶的網頁鏈接。 在發生使中國西南部遭受巨大損失的大地震兩天後，溫家寶的網頁於5月14號出現在FACEBOOK的社會網絡網站上。 溫家寶的網頁上充滿了來自中國和海外的支持言論，其中包括溫家寶在廢墟中行走以及安慰災民的照片和錄像。 很多帖子表達了熱愛和感激之情，一些人把溫家寶稱作“總理”，有些人把他稱作“溫爺爺”。

Actress Sharon Stone Apologizes for China Earthquake Remark
(女演員莎朗.斯通為中國地震言論道歉)

Hollywood actress Sharon Stone has apologized for recently suggesting that China's deadly earthquake may have been bad karma or retribution for China's policies in Tibet. Stone's apology was issued today (Thursday) along with a statement from French fashion house Christian Dior. Christian Dior says it has pulled Stone's advertisements from stores in China after her remarks sparked an uproar in Internet chat rooms and in the Chinese media. A commentary by the official Xinhua news agency today dubbed Stone a public enemy of all mankind. Stone says she is deeply sorry that her remarks upset Chinese and for the harm her comments had caused. She also said she was willing to take part in the relief work of China's earthquake, and help those affected by the

好萊塢女影星莎朗.斯通為最近暗示中國使命的大地震可能是由於中國對西藏政策而得到的因果報應或懲罰而道歉。莎朗.斯通的道歉今天(星期四)與法國時裝公司“克裏斯汀.迪奧”的一個聲明同時發布。克裏斯汀.迪奧公司說，在莎朗.斯通的話在互聯網和中國媒體上激起憤怒聲浪後，該公司已經從中國的商店中撤下莎朗.斯通的廣告。 中國官方新華社今天發表的評論，把莎朗.斯通稱為全人類公敵。 莎朗.斯通說，她對自己的話激怒中國人以及這番話造成的傷害深表歉意。她還表示，願意參加中國地震救援工作，幫助受地震影響的災民。

星期三 (05282008)

Chinese Teachers Volunteer to Teach Young Earthquake Survivors
(中國教師誌願教四川地震年輕幸存者)

Some Chinese children in earthquake-struck Sichuan province are getting back into classrooms, taught by volunteers from other parts of China. Children living in tent cities are gathering in makeshift classrooms for whatever lessons they can get. Volunteer Han Zao He, from Hebei province in China's north, says his classroom is a tent, and his students do their lessons with donated paper and crayons. Wu Bei from Beijing, who also teaches there, says the earthquake has left many children anxious and sad. She says school provides a break from thinking about the disaster. Chinese education officials say thousands of teachers and students died when schools collapsed in the earthquake. Because of China's strict population control laws, many parents lost their only child. Beijing has said those parents will be allowed to have another child if they are able.

中國四川遭受地震的一些兒童正重返教室，教師是來自中國其他地區的誌願者。居住在帳篷城裏的孩子們聚集在臨時教室中，上他們能得到的任何課程。一名來自中國北部河北省的誌願者說，他的教室是一頂帳篷，他的學生用捐來的紙和蠟筆做功課。 也在那裏教課的另一名來自北京的誌願者說，地震讓很多孩子變得焦慮、沮喪。她說，學校讓孩子們能暫時忘記災難。 中國教育官員說，數以千計的老師和學生由於地震時學校倒塌而喪生。因為中國嚴格的計劃生育政策，許多家長失去了他們的獨生子女。北京說，如果他們能夠的話，這些家長將被允許再生一胎。

Beijing Subway Suspends Operations Twice for Emergency
(北京地鐵兩次因緊急情況暫停運行)

China's state-run media are reporting that a subway line in the capital of Beijing was suspended twice today (Wednesday) for what it called an unspecified emergency. The official Xinhua news agency says service was suspended for about a half an hour each time on one of Beijing's subway lines (No. 2). A subway official told Xinhua that there was an emergency, but did not provide any more details. Officials contacted by foreign media were told that there was a technical problem and foreign reporters say operations have returned to normal. China's capital, which will host the Olympic Games in August, has five subway lines in operation and several others under construction.

中國國營媒體報導，首都北京的一條地鐵線路今天(星期三)兩次因沒有具體說明的緊急原因而暫停運行。官方新華社說，北京地鐵的二號線每次暫停運行大約半個小時。一名地鐵官員對新華社說，發生了緊急情況，但是沒有提供進一步詳細說明。 外國媒體采訪的中國官員被告知，發生了技術問題。外國記者說，地鐵現在已經恢複正常運行。將在8月主辦奧運會的北京市有5條地鐵線運行，還有一些線路正在修建之中。

星期二 (05272008)

South Korea and China Agree to Pursue Free Trade Talks
(韓中同意進行自由貿易協定談判)

South Korea and China have agreed to pursue talks on a free trade deal. Speaking Tuesday after a meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said the two sides agreed to continue a joint study to evaluate the feasibility of such an agreement. China is South Korea's biggest trading partner and last year their total trade amounted to 145-billion dollars. Mr. Lee arrived in Beijing today on a three-day trip. Several dozen business leaders have accompanied him on his trip to China as South Korean firms are trying to win a greater share of the Chinese market in sectors ranging from telecommunications and autos to construction and retail sales.

韓國和中國同意就達成自由貿易協議舉行會談。韓國總統李明博星期二與中國國家主席胡錦濤會見後說，雙方同意繼續進行聯合研究，評估達成自由貿易協議的可行性。 中國是韓國最大的貿易夥伴，去年貿易總額為1450億美元。李明博今天抵達北京，進行3天的訪問。幾十名商界人士隨同李明博訪問中國，韓國公司在努力在中國占有更大的市場份額，包括電信、汽車、建築以及零售業。

China Works to Prevent Deaths from Post-Quake Disease Outbreaks, Floods
(中國努力防止震後疾病爆發及洪災死亡)

Chinese officials say they have begun a comprehensive effort to protect the lives of earthquake survivors as disease and floods threaten to bring more death and destruction. The death toll from the May 12th massive earthquake is already more than 67-thousand. Many survivors are living in cramped and often unsanitary conditions, and concerns are rising about possible outbreaks of disease. Health Ministry official Chen Xianyi says health officials are closely monitoring the situation in Sichuan province. He adds that the number of cases of diarrhea, tuberculosis and hepatitis is not higher since the quake.

中國官員說，在疾病和洪水威脅造成更多死亡和破壞之際，他們已經開始針對保護地震幸存者生命展開全麵努力。5月12號大地震造成的死亡人數已經超過6萬7千人。很多幸存者生活在擁擠不堪而且通常不衛生的條件下。有關可能爆發瘟疫的擔憂越來越大。 中國衛生部一位官員說，衛生官員正密切監視四川省的狀況。他還說，地震以來的痢疾、肺結核和肝炎的發病率沒有進一步上升。

星期一 (05262008)

Dalai Lama Says He is Losing Control Over Followers
(達賴喇嘛稱他在失去對追隨者控製)

The Dalai Lama says Tibetans frustrated with China's refusal to strike an agreement on the future of Tibet are losing faith in his strategy of seeking autonomy through dialogue. The exiled spiritual leader's comments appeared today (Monday) in London's "Financial Times" newspaper.  He said he hopes the Chinese government will begin serious negotiations with his envoys on provisions for greater Tibetan autonomy, in upcoming talks between the two sides. The 72-year-old Nobel Laureate acknowledged that the more radical Tibetans favor violent confrontation with China. He also noted that his efforts to date have failed. China -- under intense foreign pressure -- has agreed to hold new talks with representatives of the Dalai Lama on Tibet. The agreement came after a violent Chinese crackdown in Tibet in March, that Tibetans say resulted in scores of deaths.

達賴喇嘛說，對中國拒絕就有關西藏未來達成協議的不滿的藏人，對他通過對話來尋求西藏自治的策略在失去信心。這位流亡的精神領袖的評論發表在今天(星期一)倫敦的金融時報上。 他說，他希望中國政府能和他的特使在雙方即將開始的對話中，就有關西藏更多自治的條款進行認真的談判。這位72歲的諾貝爾獎獲得者承認，一些更激進的西藏人主張跟中國進行暴力對抗。他還提到迄今為止他的努力都遭遇失敗。 中國在國外強大的壓力下同意和達賴喇嘛的代表就西藏問題舉行新的對話。此前，中國今年3月在西藏進行暴力鎮壓。西藏人稱鎮壓造成幾十人死亡。

Taiwan Ruling Party Chief Arrives in China
(台灣執政黨主席抵達大陸訪問)

The head of Taiwan's ruling Nationalist Party has arrived in China for a landmark visit, the island's highest-level of contact with communist Chinese leaders in nearly 60 years. Wu Po-hsiung's arrival in China's eastern city of Nanjing today (Monday) was broadcast on Chinese television. At the airport, he was greeted by the head of China's top government body on Taiwan affairs, Chen Yunlin. Wu heads a 16-person delegation and is the first ruling party chief to visit the mainland. On Wednesday, he is scheduled to meet with Chinese President and Communist Party chief Hu Jintao. Since Taiwan's March elections, hopes have been running high that Taipei and Beijing may be able to put aside their political differences and boost economic ties.

台灣執政黨國民黨的主席吳伯雄抵達中國大陸進行具有裏程碑意義的訪問，這是將近60年來台灣與共產黨中國領導人的最高層次的接觸。 吳伯雄今天(星期一)抵達中國東部城市南京實況在中國電視上做了轉播。吳伯雄在機場受到中國政府台灣事務負責人陳雲林的歡迎。吳伯雄率領一個16人代表團，這是台灣執政黨主席首次訪問大陸。 吳伯雄預定星期三會見中國國家主席、中共總書記胡錦濤。自從台灣3月選舉以來，外界高度期待台北和北京可能會把政治分歧放在一邊，加強經貿關係。