VOA慢速英语:China Expands 'Silk Road,' But Faces Questions About Trade Policies

China recently launched a diplomatic and economic development campaign called ‘One Belt, One Road.'
中国最近推出了一项名为“一带一路”的外交和经济发展运动。

The name comes from the ‘Silk Road' - the ancient system of roads that linked China with Central Asia and other areas. Traders used those paths centuries ago to transport Chinese silk, spices and other goods to the west. In exchange, China received gold, ivory, glass and other products from as far away as Europe.
该名字出自于丝绸之路，也就是连接中国和中亚以及其它地区的古代道路系统。贸易商们在几个世纪前利用这些道路向西方运送中国丝绸、香料和其它物品。作为交换，中国从远至欧洲等地运来黄金、象牙、玻璃等物。

Chinese President Xi Jinping says the One Belt, One Road program is aimed at strengthening international cooperation. But former American officials and some business leaders have expressed concern. They say China is not as interested in opening up to foreigners as it claims.
中国国家主席习近平表示，一带一路项目旨在加强国际合作。但是前美国官员和一些企业领导人表示了担心。他们说中国并不像它所说的那样对外开放。

China's plan is to build ports, railroad links, roads and other infrastructure across Asia, Africa and Europe. The Reuters news agency reports the project is depending heavily on two lenders, the China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China. It says they have already provided $200 billion in loans to countries throughout Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
中国计划在亚洲、非洲和欧洲各地修建港口、铁路、道路和其它基础设施。路透社报道说，该项目主要依靠两家贷款机构，即中国国家开发银行和中国进出口银行。路透社称这两家机构已经向亚洲、中东和非洲国家提供了2千亿美元的贷款。

At a recent conference in Beijing, President Xi described the effort as a win-win situation for the countries and companies involved in the project.
最近在北京举行的一场会议上，习主席称这是所有项目参与国家合作共赢的局面。

But some Americans are questioning China's true goals. Charlene Barshevsky served as U.S. Trade Representative when Bill Clinton was president.
但是有些美国人开始质疑中国的真正意图。查琳·巴尔舍夫斯基（Charlene Barshevsky）是克林顿担任总统时的美国贸易代表。

"China has stopped the process of economic reform and opening, and instead has put in place a spate of measures that are zero-sum, highly mercantilist, and discriminate against U.S. and foreign companies."
他说，“中国中止了经济改革开放的进程，反而采取了零和竞争、高度重商主义的大量措施，歧视美国和其他外国公司。”

Because of the business climate in China, the country is no longer considered a top investment choice for a growing number of foreign companies. This was the finding of a study done by The American Chamber of Commerce in China.
由于中国当前的商业环境，越来越多的外国公司已不再把中国视为投资对象的首选，这是中国美国商会最近做的调查结果。

William Zarit is head of the trade group.
蔡瑞德(William Zarit)是这家贸易组织的主席。

"...some companies are looking back to North America where especially energy costs are much lower, and perhaps labor is not that great a factor in their manufacturing product, and rule of law and transparency are the name of the game."
他说，“有些公司考虑回北美，特别是那里的能源价格低廉的多，也许劳动力对他们制造产品的影响不是那么重大，法治和透明度将是关键所在。”

Observers note that China no longer depends on foreign technology and investments as it once did. For that reason, they say, Chinese officials are less concerned about companies leaving the country. But some critics say China still may pay a price for shrinking investment because of the government's policies.
观察家指出，中国不再像从前那样依赖外国资本和技术，也因此比较不太介意一些公司撤离。然而也有些批评者认为，中国政府的政策导致投资缩水仍然可能让中国付出代价。

Ted Moran studies economic issues for the Peterson Institute for International Economics.
泰德·莫兰（Ted Moran）在彼得森国际经济研究所研究经济问题。

"China is already such a huge presence on the world economic stage, so I'm not predicting any kind of disaster, I just think that there will be much slower growth and much less robust growth over the next decade."
他说，“中国已在世界经济舞台占据重大地位，所以我不预见任何种类的灾难，我只认为在未来十年，经济增长将放缓很多，增长力道也会大减。”

While China's president spoke about inclusiveness at the recent conference, some American companies remain concerned that it may be more talk than substance.
虽然中国国家主席在最近的会议上谈到了包容，一些美国公司仍然担心这个说法可能华而不实。