独立报：中国和邻国正进行军备竞赛 [英国媒体]

An arms race isbuilding between China and its neighbours as the world focuses on Trump andNorth Korea spat

当世界在关注特朗普与朝鲜的争吵的时候，中国正与邻国展开军备竞赛

While Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un tradedpublic insults, Beijing has been quietly bolstering its military presence onislands in the South China Sea

当特朗普和金正恩互相叫骂时，北京却一直在悄悄加强其在南中国海岛屿上的军事存在。



China's Liaoning aircraft carrier withaccompanying fleet conducts a drill in the South China Sea

中国的辽宁航母编队正在中国南海进行演习

Japan used to have one of the most powerfulaircraft carrier forces in the world, with a fleet of six. The US had seven,but the Imperial Japanese Navy was close to taking delivery of two more,gaining a decisive strategic advantage when the Second World War broke out.

日本曾经是拥有最强大航母舰队的国家之一，有6支航母舰队。美国有7支，但是日本帝国海军决定再交付两艘，以在第二次世界大战爆发时获得决定性的战略优势。

Four years later, the Japanese carrierfleet was at the bottom of the ocean, Emperor Hirohito had signed the surrenderdocument and the Imperial Navy was disbanded. The Japan Maritime Self-DefenceForce was later formed, but with strict defensive rules of engagement.

四年后，日本航母舰队沉到了海底，裕仁天皇签署了投降文件，而帝国海军被解散。之后日本海上自卫队成立，但有严格的交战规则。

It has now emerged that Tokyo is planningto convert some of its Izumo-Class helicopter carriers into aircraft carriers,the country’s first in 80 years, making them capable of using fixed wingwarplanes, probably American F-35 stealth fighters with vertical take-off andlanding capabilities.

现在有消息称，东京正计划将部分出云级直升机航母改装成航空母舰，这是该国80年来的首次，使它们能够使用固定翼飞机，可能是美国的F-35隐形战斗机，具有垂直起飞和降落能力。

There has been an immediate reaction fromChina, with the accusation that acquiring the aircraft carriers and thefighters would breach Article 9 of Japan’s constitution post-war. “We urgeJapan to do more that may enhance mutual trust and promote regional peace andstability,” said a foreign ministry spokesman.

中国立即做出反应，指责购买航母和战斗机将违反战后日本宪法第九条。外交部发言人说:“我们敦促日本采取更多行动，增进互信，促进地区和平与稳定。”

But Beijing is also flexing its navalmuscles. While the Russian carrier Admiral Kuznetsov was returning home lastyear after duties in Syria, its sister carrier – former Soviet vessel Varyag,now the Lianonig of the Chinese People’s Liberation Navy – was on manoeuvres inits maiden cruise in the South China Seas, scene of bitter disputes withneighbouring countries.

但北京也在炫耀其海军实力。当去年俄罗斯的库兹涅佐夫号航母完成叙利亚的职责后回国,其姊妹舰——前苏联瓦良格号,现在中国海军辽宁号——正在中国南海进行首次巡航演习,此地中国与邻国的纷争正越来越尖锐。

The concern about conflicts in the Far Easthas focused on North Korea. But the longer-lasting undercurrent of tension,which may yet lead to hostilities, has been around China and surrounding statesthat believe Beijing is trying to spread its hegemony in the South China Seasby claiming strings of manmade islands and the strategic waters around them.

对远东地区冲突的担忧集中在朝鲜问题上。但长期持续的紧张局势、可能导致敌对的行动，却一直围绕中国及其周边国家，这些国家认为，中国政府正试图通过声称拥有人造岛屿和周围的战略水域，来扩大其在中国南海的霸权。

Throughout last year, while Donald Trumpand Kim Jong-un traded public insults, Beijing has been quietly bolstering itsmilitary presence on islands it has been building. Among its seven island basesare three airfields in the disputed Spratley chain. There has been asignificant construction drive. Aerial photographs from the Centre forStrategic and International Studies in Washington revealed facilities awashwith fortified shelters for warships and artillery and hangers for aircraft andradar. The most advanced base, Fiery Cross Reef, has a 27-acre hinterland ofmilitary buildings including underground bunkers and missile emplacementpositions.

去年，当特朗普和金正恩互相叫骂时，北京方面一直在悄悄加强其在其建设的岛屿上的军事存在。在有争议的南沙群岛中有7个岛屿基地，其中3个有飞机场。哪儿有一项重大的建设项目正在动工。来自华盛顿战略和国际研究中心的航空照片显示，该设施中充斥着为军舰、大炮、飞机和雷达提供的防御工事。这个永暑礁最先进的基地，拥有27英亩的内陆军事建筑，包括地下掩体和导弹阵地。

A few weeks before the news of the Japanesecarriers, China announced that it would launch its second aircraft carrier injust over two years, paving the way to start the manufacture of a third. TheMinistry of Defence in Beijing declared a breakthrough in aircraft technologywhich it claimed was the most advanced jet launch system in the world that doesnot use nuclear power.

在日本航母的消息发布前几周，中国宣布将在两年内下水第二艘航母，为开始建造第三艘航母铺平道路。中国国防部宣布在飞机技术上取得突破，称这是世界上最先进的不使用核动力的弹射器系统。

Around the same time, as Donald Trumptoured the region, the US Navy said it will hold joint drills in the WesternPacific for the first time in a decade with three of its aircraft carriers: TheUSS Ronald Reagan, USS Nimitz and USS Theodore Roosevelt. Admiral Scott Swift,commander of the US Pacific Fleet wanted to stress: “This exercise is a strongtestament to the US Pacific Fleet’s unique ability and ironclad commitment tothe continued security and stability of the region.”

大约在同一时间，特朗普视察了该地区，美国海军表示，将在西太平洋举行联合演习，这是10年来首次用三艘航空母舰:罗纳德•里根号、尼米兹号和西奥多•罗斯福号。美国太平洋舰队司令斯科特·斯威夫特想强调:“这次演习是对美国太平洋舰队独特能力的有力证明，也是对该地区持续安全与稳定的坚定承诺。”

But one significant reason for Beijing tofeel emboldened has been Mr Trump’s threats to pull US forces out of Japan andSouth Korea unless there was more money coming from Tokyo and Seoul. There hasalso been the marked reluctance of his administration to buttress an allianceof China’s neighbours.

但北京感到有底气的一个重要原因是，特朗普威胁要将美国军队撤出日本和韩国，除非有更多来自东京和首尔的资金，他的政府也明显不愿支持中国的邻国联盟。

“The Trump administration has left other countries in the regionunsure of the US, its credibility, its commitment,” says Bonnie Glaser, EastAsia analyst at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. “Theywonder where the South China Seas fit in an ‘America First’ world.”

战略与国际研究中心东亚问题分析师邦妮•格拉泽表示:“特朗普政府已经让该地区的其他国家对美国的可信度、承诺缺少信心。他们想知道，在一个‘美国优先’世界里，中国南海的位置是怎样的。”

Faced with the unpredictability of MrTrump, some of China’s former adversaries have now accepted they have to havemore amicable relations with the region’s largest nation. Two years ago thePhilippines went to an industrial tribunal to challenge Beijing’s claim to morethan 85 per cent of the South China Sea and won. But President Rodrigo Duartehas, since then, gravitated towards China and away from the US. Other countriesin the region have also moved towards accommodation: Singapore, a staunch allyof the West, agreed last September to Beijing’s request for greater militarycooperation.

面对特朗普的不可预测性，中国的一些前对手现在已经接受了，他们必须与该地区最大的国家建立更友好的关系。两年前，菲律宾曾前往一个工业法庭，挑战中国在南海逾85%的主权主张，并取得了胜利。但自那以后，杜阿尔特总统就被吸引向中国，远离美国。该地区的其他国家也纷纷改换门庭:新加坡是西方的坚定盟友，去年9月同意了北京方面加强军事合作的要求。

At the same time countries like Japan,Australia, Vietnam and India (which now has two aircraft carriers), are quietlydiscussing defence co-operation. Inaugurating the Shangri-la Dialogue, theregion’s premier security forum last summer, Australian Prime Minister MalcolmTurnbull said: “In this brave new world we cannot really rely on great powersto safeguard our interests. We have to take responsibility for our own securityand prosperity, while recognising we are stronger when sharing the burden ofcollective leadership with trusted friends and partners.”

与此同时，日本、澳大利亚、越南和印度(现在有两艘航空母舰)正在悄悄讨论国防合作。澳大利亚总理特恩布尔去年夏天在该地区举行的首要安全论坛“香格里拉对话”揭幕仪式上说：“在这个勇敢的新世界，我们不能真的依靠大国来维护我们的利益。我们必须为自己的安全和繁荣负责，同时认识到我们在与可信赖的朋友和合作伙伴分担集体领导的重担时更加强大。”

The desire to buttress security hasaccelerated in the intervening months. Robert Emerson, a security analyst,said: “The standoff between the US and North Korea is obviously a dramaticspectacle with two loud leaders providing headlines. What is passing byrelatively unnoticed, meanwhile, is the steady militarisation of the region bywealthy and technologically capable states. That is where the long-term dangersof conflict lie.”

在接下来的几个月中，加强安全的愿望加快了。一位安全分析家Robert Emerson说：“美国和朝鲜之间的僵局显然是一个戏剧性的场面，两个骂声响亮的领导人提供了头条新闻。与此同时，相对不引人注意的是，该地区那个富裕和技术能力强的国家正在稳步军事化。这就是长期冲突的危险所在。



aardvark
It's simply a matter of whether the USis  a reliable ally . The Leaders ofWestern Pacific Nations need more than the hope Fox and Friends Will convincethe Commander in Chief to act against an aggressor. Trump, with his attacks onNATO members and sword rattling, is far to erratic for any one let aloneNational Leaders to trust.

这仅仅是美国是否是可靠盟友的问题。西太平洋国家的领导人需要的不仅仅是希望福克斯和朋友们能够说服总司令对侵略者采取行动。特朗普对北约成员的攻击和武力恫吓，对于任何人特别是国家领导人来说都是不可靠的。

Between the gaps
To many idiots commenting on here with adangerous lack of knowledge, America were invited into Vietnam, NATO. Noko, thebiggest danger comes from Nk today.
Let the yanks pull out of Japan and SK andsee what happens, oh and the yanks were invited into those two countries aswell.

这的许多愚蠢评论严重缺乏知识，美国被邀请到越南、北约。但是最大的危险来自朝鲜。
让美国佬撤出日本和韩国看看会发生什么，哦美国佬也同样被邀请到这两个国家了啊。

frankenstein69
You are right. I think you will find thatthere are certain nationalities commenting on here who are using Englishsounding pseudonyms. They are probably just jealous they don't live in trulyfree and democratic countries.

你是对的。我想你会发现，在这里有一些国家的人使用的是英语的假名。他们可能只是嫉妒他们不生活在真正自由和民主的国家。

Matt Daley
Invited in by the yank puppet"governments" which the yanks had installed.  
Therefore, your argument is invalid anddisregarded.

他们是被美国佬正式就职的傀儡“政府”邀请来的。
因此你的论点无效且无人理会。

Rhino House
Wrong. The USA was a founder member ofNATO, it was not invited in. It was only invited into Vietnam after themilitary coup - & the PRK is a small isolated country with a limitedpotential trans-national  nuclearcapability). Whilst I am in no way anti-US (I lived there for too long forthat), your re-writing of history and politics performs no good service for theworld as it is.

错。美国是北约的创始成员国，它没有被邀请进入。美国是在越南军事政变后才被邀请进入越南的，而朝鲜是一个很小的孤立的国家，跨国家发射核武器的能力有限。虽然我不反对美国(我在那里生活太久了)，你对历史和政治的重写对世界没有什么好处。

Majstor
Gosh how sinister China parading round inthe South China Seas(it's backyard !).........meanwhile the US has militarybases in almost every country on the globe...............go and peddle your BSelsewhere !

天啊中国在南海（它的后院！）展示力量实在是太险恶了……同时美国在全球几乎所有国家都有军事基地……去别的地方兜售你的狗屎！

snanglebreak
Its (China's) backyard, but the backyard ofmany other nations too who claim the islands and reefs there. The US makes noclaim.

它是中国的后院，但同时也是许多其他国家的后院，它们声称岛屿和珊瑚礁的主权。而美国没有声明。

Joanne Taylor
I suspect that Trump decided that peace wasa bad deal and bad for business and by creating this arms race he is crea

我怀疑特朗普觉得和平是个糟糕的协议并且不利于商业，于是制造了这场军备竞赛。

Rob H
When the USA declared "Global FullSpectrum Dominance" as its prime military and political objective it selfidentified itself as the global enemy of our time.

当美国宣布“全频谱优势”作为其主要军事和政治目标时，它就将自己定位为了我们这个时代全球的敌人。

Latch71
Are you going to declare war on the US thenRob?

那么你准备向美国宣战吗？

Rob H
Why on earth would I? The habit of startingwars is exactly why the USA should be considered a dangerous enemy.

我干嘛要这么做？发动战争的习惯正是美国被视为危险敌人的原因。

Bob_International
No need, Trump wil doom it from within.

没有必要，特朗普会从内部毁灭美国。

Majstor
no need it is imploding before our veryeyes, Pax Americana is following the path of all previous empires, broughtabout via hubris and debasement of its money

没必要，美国会在我们眼前崩溃，美国治下的和平正沿着从前所有的帝国主义道路前行，通过骄傲自大和贬值货币从而崩溃。

frankenstein69
If it wasn't for the USA you wouldn't havethe freedom to spout your ridiculous opinions online or anywhere else for thatmatter. I am glad the world's most powerful country is a democracy. God forbidif it was China or Russia in that position.

如果不是因为美国，你就没有自由在网上或其他任何地方发表你荒谬的观点。我很高兴世界上最强大的国家是一个民主国家。但愿不会发生中国或者俄罗斯在这个位置上这种事。

Ardaingel
Why, what have they done?

为什么，他们做了什么？

tompaine
The last time the US were involved in ajust war was 1945, and even then it was the USSR which defeated nazi germany.Since then the US has been an oppressive, imperialist bully, destroyingdemocracy anywhere it resulted in governments that resisted US hegemony. Sadlythe US is now the evil empire, with nato being the axis of evil

美国最后一次参加正义战争的时间是1945年，那时还是苏联击败纳粹德国的时候。从那以后，美国一直是一个压迫性的帝国主义恶霸，在到处摧毁民主，结果造成了很多政府反抗美国霸权。可悲的是，美国现在是邪恶帝国，和北约组成了邪恶轴心

frankenstein69
Name a properly functioning democracy theyhave destroyed lately. Rightly or wrongly they have helped depose varioustinpot dictators from some Middle Eastern countries. Sadly, all of thosecountries have never had a culture of democracy anyway, so they were a lostcause from day one. And yes, I agree, the Russians did shoulder the worst ofthe casualties in WW2 but their soldiers had little choice but to fight as theNazis were on their soil. I still prefer the idea of a properly functioningdemocracy being the most powerful country in the world.

说出美国最近破坏的一个正常运作的民主国家。无论是对还是错，他们都帮助推翻了一些中东国家的独裁者。遗憾的是，所有这些国家从来都没有民主文化，所以它们从第一天起就失去了民主。是的，我同意，俄国人确实在二战中承担了最惨重的伤亡，但是他们的士兵别无选择，只能像纳粹在他们的土地上一样作战。我仍然倾向于认为一个正常运作的民主国家是世界上最强大的国家。

tompaine
There are countless countries with allmanner of governments that have been destroyed by the great warmonger. Ofcourse the easily fooled will believe the weasel words that say that they are'not properly functioning', but anybody with detectable brain function knowsthat just means that they do not bow to US hegemony.

无数的国家和各种政府已经被伟大的战争贩子所摧毁。当然有些容易受骗的傻子会相信黄鼠狼的话，它说这些国家“没有正常运作”，但任何头脑正常的人都知道这仅仅意味着这些国家没有屈服于美国的霸权。

frankenstein69
tompaine... you have still failed to name alegitimate democracy that they (the US) have supposedly overthrown.

楼上….你仍然没有说出一个被美国推翻的合法的民主国家。

Matt Daley
Yankistan isn't a "democracy", itis a constitutional republic where the only real "choice" for theso-called representatives of the people is to elect a RepubliCrat, and they areall the SAME.

扬基斯坦不是一个“民主国家”，它是一个宪法共和国，所谓的人民代表他们仅有的真正“选择”，就是选出一个民主共和派（RepubliCrat：就是民主党+共和党），其实他们都是一样的。

PeterLoud2
USA has more then 800 overseas militarybases.
How many overseas military bases doesRussia and China have?  They could becounted on one or two hands.
Which country is trying to dominate othercountries militarily?

美国拥有超过800个海外军事基地。
俄罗斯和中国有多少个？他们可以用一或两只手来算。
哪个国家企图在军事上支配其他国家？

snanglebreak
China is building military bases on islandsand reefs contested by other nations. Are you fine with that? Don't comparewith other nations, just answer the question.

中国正在其他国家的岛礁上建立军事基地。你没事吧?不要和其他国家相比，只要回答这个问题就行了。

bench101
why should the USA shoulder the burden forsecurity of other countries when they are capable of paying for themselves.Japan is rich enough and so are many in europe.

当其他国家有能力为自己买单时，美国为什么要承担其他国家的安全负担呢?日本很富有，欧洲很多国家也一样。

PeterLoud2
Good point.
USA should get out of those countries andallow those countries to establish peaceful relations with neighbouringcountries.

好点子。
美国应该滚出这些国家并允许这些国家与邻国建立和平关系

kevin sullivan
The general belief of the USA.,representing 'good over evil' no longer has any credibility whatsoever - Infact, now it is the total opposite!

美国的普遍信念，代表“善与恶”，不再有任何可信性，事实上，现在是完全相反的！

praam
China lives in Asia and has an big interestin keeping peace and security in the area. It is dependent on trade with itsneighbours and with countries far away using shipping. This interest is notshared with US that live far away.

中国位于亚洲，在维持这一地区的和平与安全方面有很大的兴趣。它依赖于与邻国的贸易以及与遥远国家的海运贸易。这种利益不与居住在遥远地方的美国人分享。

foolisholdman
I don't think there much danger from theother countries arming themselves.  Mostcountries do not want a war.  Mostcountries would go to great lengths to avoid a war.  Really there is only one country that isconsistently "stirring it"!

我认为其他国家武装自己不会有太多危险。大多数国家不想要战争。大多数国家都会不遗余力地避免战争。真的只有一个国家一直在“搅动”它！

Doody
Correct. North Korea are a clear andpresent danger.

对的.朝鲜是一个明显而现实的危险。

praam
North Korea has nuclear weapons to deterUS. US is in clear and present danger to fall back from hyper power to superpower and they hate is. They are spending more on their military than the nextten biggest spenders together and not enough to maintain the infrastructurethey have let alone modernizing it like China is doing.

朝鲜拥有核武器是为了威慑美国。美国才是清楚而现实的危险，它从超超级大国后退成超级大国，而美国痛恨这样。他们所花费在军队上的钱比其他十个最大花费者加起来还要多，而这十个国家的钱都不足以维持他们所拥有的基础设施，更别说像中国一样进行现代化了