VOA常速英语:与亚太盟国站在一起

Defense Secretary James Mattis took his first official trip abroad this month to visit two American allies, South Korea and Japan,where he reiterated the United States’ firm commitment to the security of our long-time Asia-Pacific partners.
国防部长詹姆斯·马蒂斯本月第一次出国访问，目的地是美国的两个盟国，韩国和日本，在这次访问中他重申了美国对我们长期的亚太合作伙伴关系安全的坚定承诺。

In Seoul, Secretary Mattis called the U.S.-South Korea alliance “a linchpin” of regional peace and stability.He noted the dangers posed by North Korea’s missile launches, nuclear weapons program, and threatening rhetoric and behavior.“America’s commitments to defending our allies and to upholding our extended deterrence guarantees remain ironclad,” he said.
在首尔，马蒂斯部长称美韩联盟是“区域和平与稳定的关键”。他提到了朝鲜发射导弹，核武器计划以及威胁言论和行为所构成的危险。“美国保卫盟国和维护延伸威慑防卫的承诺仍然坚不可摧，”他说。

“Any attack on the United States or on our allies will be defeated,and any use of nuclear weapons would be met with the response that would be effective and overwhelming.”
“对美国或盟国的任何攻击都将被打败，任何核武器的使用都将得到强有力和压倒性的回应。”

In the face of North Korea’s growing nuclear and ballistic missile threat,the United States is taking defensive steps to help protect the South Korean people,as well as the thousands of U.S. troops stationed in the country.Secretary Mattis pointed to the deployment to South Korea of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system,capable of intercepting and destroying North Korean ballistic missiles potentially armed with weapons of mass destruction.He also spoke of the need to continue expanding trilateral cooperation with Japan.
面对朝鲜日益严峻的核弹道导弹威胁，美国正在采取防御措施，以保护韩国人民和驻扎在该国的数千名美军士兵。马蒂斯部长指出，韩国终端高空区域防御系统的部署，能够拦截和摧毁可能装载大规模毁灭性武器的弹道导弹。他还谈到有必要继续扩大与日本的三边合作。

In Tokyo, Secretary Mattis referred to the alliance between the US and Japan as enduring and “a cornerstone of peace and security in the Asia Pacific region.”He reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the defense of Japan under the Treaty of Mutual Security and praised Japan for its “noteworthy contributions” to regional stability.
在东京，马蒂斯部长提到美国和日本之间的联盟是长久的，是“亚太地区和平与安全的基石”。他重申美国根据安保条约保卫日本的承诺，并赞扬了日本对区域稳定做出的“显著贡献”。

Secretary Mattis stressed, however,that both the United States and Japan “must not be found complacent in the face of the emerging challenges”.He pointed to the threat of nuclear and missile provocations by North Korea and to increasingly confrontational behavior by China in the East and South China Seas.
马蒂斯部长强调，尽管如此，美国和日本“不能在新挑战面前自满”。他还指出朝鲜核导弹挑衅的威胁，以及在中国东海和南海区域愈演愈烈的对抗行为。

Secretary Mattis emphasized the necessity of maintaining a rules-based international order,in which countries resolve issues like land disputes through arbitration or diplomacy, not through military force or occupation.He also insisted that “freedom of navigation is absolute.”
马蒂斯部长强调，必须维持以规则为基础的国际秩序，各国要通过仲裁或外交而不是武装力量或强占来解决土地争端等问题。他还坚持“航行自由是绝对的”。

Faced with the current grave security situation, Secretary Mattis said，“it is important for the United States and Japan to continue investing in our defense personnel and capabilities.In this manner, we will ensure that we are true partners today and in the years to come.”“The United States,” he added,“stands with our friends and allies.”
面对目前严峻的安全局势，马蒂斯部长说，“对于美国和日本来说，继续投资我们的国防人员并提高国力是很重要的。这种方式会确保我们在今天和未来几年内都将是真正的合作伙伴。”他补充说，“美国与我们的朋友和盟友站在一起。”