VOA慢速英語:China Exports to North Korea Fall

From VOA Learning English, this is the Economics Report.

這里是美國之音慢速英語經濟報道。

Recent Chinese trade information shows that China's exports to North Korea decreased by more than 30 percent during the first six months of 2013. This is the first time in four years that exports have fallen. Exports decreased by about $1.6 billion from January to June, compared to the same period last year.

近期的中國貿易信息顯示，今年前6個月，中國對朝鮮的出口減少了30%以上。這是近四年以來出口首次下降。與去年同期相比，今年1月到6月出口下降了大約16億美元。

The last time exports from China to North Korea dropped was in 2009, because of the world financial crisis. This year, there was a large decrease in shipments of unprocessed oil to North Korea.

上一次中國對朝鮮出口下降是在2009年，原因是全球金融危機。今年對朝鮮的原油出貨量下降很大。

Lu Chao studies at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, based on government data, he says China is the biggest oil provider to North Korea. He said last year China exported 500,000 tons of oil to the country.

陸超(Lu Chao，音譯)在遼寧社會科學院從事研究?；谡當?shù)據，他表示中國是朝鮮最大的石油供應商。他說，去年中國向朝鮮出口了50萬噸石油。

Mr Lu says China place trade restrictions on North Korea this year, after its third nuclear test. He says the Chinese government made the decision based on a U.N. Security Council resolution.

陸先生表示，在朝鮮第三次核試驗之后，中國今年對朝鮮設置了貿易限制措施。他說，中國政府是在聯(lián)合國安理會決議基礎上做出上述決定。

North Korea's decision to carry out its third nuclear test earlier this year has affected the relationship between the two countries.

朝鮮今年早些時候進行第三次核試驗的決定已經影響到了中朝兩國之間的關系。

Following the test, Chinese students called on the government to completely cut ties with North Korea. Protesters denouncing what they felt was Chinese government acceptance of a nuclear test.

在這次核試驗之后，中國學生呼吁政府徹底斷絕與朝鮮的關系。示威者斥責他們所認為的中國政府默許這次核試驗。

However, Chinese officials have condemned the test. They have also repeatedly called for the continuation of six-nation talks aimed at ending the country's nuclear weapons program.

然而，中國官員對這次核試驗已經提出了譴責。他們還一再呼吁繼續(xù)旨在結束朝鮮核武器計劃的六方會談。

In May, the government operated People's Bank of China announced it was no longer doing business with North Korea's foreign trade bank.

今年5月，國營的中國人民銀行宣布，不再與朝鮮外貿銀行交易。

Last week, China's Vice President Li Yuanchao visited North Korea for the first time since Kim Jong Un became North Korea's leader. The two were seen together, smiling and waving to crowds during ceremonies marking the 60th anniversary of the end of the Korean War.

上周，中國國家副主席李源潮在金正恩成為朝鮮領導人后首次訪問朝鮮。兩人一同現(xiàn)身，在紀念朝鮮戰(zhàn)爭結束60周年的儀式上向人群微笑、揮手。

Mr Lu says, although the Vice President visited North Korea, relations between the two countries are still developing. He says the old alliance is now turning into a normal friendly relationship between two countries.

陸先生表示，雖然李副主席訪問了朝鮮，兩國之間的關系仍然處于發(fā)展階段。他表示，兩國之間的舊聯(lián)盟已經轉變?yōu)橐环N正常的友好關系。

Recently, officials from the United States and South Korea met. They announced their plan to continue placing restrictions on North Korea, and to seek more assistance from China in the process.