Philippines Seeks US Help to Protect Troops in Disputed Sea
VOA News
Last updated on: August 26, 2015 8:15 AM (source)
Philippines Seeks US Help to Protect Troops in Disputed Sea
菲律賓請求美國協防爭議海域
Last updated on: August 26, 2015 8:15 AM
Senior U.S. and Philippines military officials have met in Manila, in an effort to expand defense ties as tensions worsen around China's disputed territorial claims in the South China Sea.
美國與菲律賓高階軍事人員在馬尼拉會面，在南中國海領土主張(territorial claim)爭議和緊張局勢(tension)惡化之際，將擴大雙方的國防合作關係(defense ties)。
The commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, Admiral Harry Harris, was received with full military honors Wednesday at the Philippines armed forces headquarters.
美國太平洋司令部司令(commander)、海軍上將哈里斯於周三在菲律賓軍隊(armed forces)總部受高規格的軍禮(military honors)接待。
Harris and his Philippine counterpart, General Hernando Iriberri, discussed security issues, including the South China Sea, according to Philippines military spokesman Restituto Padilla.
根據菲律賓軍方發言人帕底拉(Pdilla)說法，美上將哈里斯和其對應的(counterpart)菲國將軍伊理貝利(Ireberri)討論了包括南中國海區域等安全議題。
"What transpired during the dialogue was a very frank and honest exchange of ideas regarding the evolving security challenges in the region as a result of natural disasters and issues involving the West Philippine Sea and South China Sea," he said.
菲軍方發言人表示：「在雙方對談中所發生(transpire)的是開誠布公的意見交換，有關於(regarding)種種因西菲律賓海和南中國海天災與爭議所引起的、持續演變中的(evolving)挑戰。
Admiral Harris also met with other senior leaders, including President Benigno Aquino and other defense officials.
美上將哈里斯也會晤了菲國其他高階領導人物，包含班尼格諾艾奎諾總統(Benigno Aquino)與多位國防部官員。
US military escort
During one of the meetings, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin requested that U.S. military patrol planes help escort Philippine supply ships in the contested South China Sea, according to the Associated Press. The request could not be confirmed.
據美聯社(Associated Press)報導，菲國防部長伏爾泰加斯明(Voltaire Gazmin)在會談中要求美軍巡邏機在各方角力的(contested)南中國海協助護航(escort)菲律賓的補給船。此要求未得到肯定答覆。
The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan all have competing claims with China in the South China Sea, which is rich in natural resources, is a main trade route, and holds important symbolic and national value.
菲律賓、越南、馬來西亞、汶萊、台灣都與中國競相宣稱擁有南中國海主權。南中國海有豐富的天然資源，也是主要的貿易通道(trade route)，亦具重要的國家象徵性價值。
The United States, which says it does not take sides in the territorial disputes, has increased its maritime security cooperation with Manila and other regional militaries in recent years. Washington has said freedom of navigation in the region must be preserved and disputes be resolved peacefully.
美國表示不會在領土爭議上偏袒(take sides)任一方，近年來增加了與菲律賓和區域中其它軍事單位對海上(maritime)安全的合作。美政府曾表示，此區域的航行(navigation)自由必須被保護，爭議也須和平解決。
Language Notes
defense (n) 防禦；國防
territorial (a) 領土的
commander (n) 指揮官，司令官
counterpart (n) 對應的人(或物)，配對物
transpire (v) 發生
regarding (prep) 關於；就 . . . 而論
contest (v) 爭奪；爭論
take sides (with) (v phr) 偏袒、支持(某方)；採某特定立場
maritime (a) 海的；海事的
navigation (n) 航行
Check your vocabulary!
Fill in the blanks with a word or phrase from the list above. Make necessary changes. After you finish, select the text to reveal the hidden answers.
1. The children all took sides with the mother when she left her husband.
2. Belgian officials are discussing this with their French counterparts.
3. The channel is now open to navigation.
4. The defense industry relies heavily on sales of weapons to foreign countries.
5. The leadership election will be contested by four candidates.
編譯：簡嘉呈
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South China Sea Territorial Claims. See more on VOA.
