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From VOA Learning English, this is the Economics Report.
这里是美国之音慢速英语经济报道。
More than 40 countries, including Russia and Taiwan, have agreed to be founding members of China's proposed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. However, two of the world's largest economies, the United States and Japan, have held off at this time.
包括俄罗斯和台湾地区在内的40多个国家(地区)同意成为中国发起的亚洲基础设施投资银行的创始成员。然而，世界上最大的两个经济体美国和日本这次迟疑了。
China proposed the bank last October as a way to finance roads, bridges, ports and other needed infrastructure projects in Asia. The time limit for joining as a founding member was March 31.
中国于去年十月发起该银行，作为亚洲道路、桥梁、港口和其它必要基础设施的融资途径。加入该银行的最终期限是3月31日。
In only a few months, the number of countries seeking membership nearly doubled. They came from Africa, Europe, South America, Asia and the Pacific. Some European powers added themselves to the list. They include Britain, Germany, France and Italy. Other important economies include South Korea, Australia and Russia.
在短短几个月内，谋求成为成员的国家数量将近翻倍。这些国家来自非洲、欧洲、南美洲、亚洲和太平洋地区。一些欧洲强国已经加入成员之列，它们包括英国、德国、法国和意大利。其它重要的经济体包括韩国、澳大利亚和俄罗斯。
Taiwan also sought to become a founding member. But it is not clear how China will react. Taiwan and China do not have diplomatic ties. But, relations have improved since the election of President Ma Ying-jeou in 2008. The two sides also are working on details of a trade agreement. However, popular opposition in Taiwan to mainland China's increased influence on the island remains very strong.
台湾地区也试图成为创始成员。不过尚不清楚中国大陆会如何反应。台湾地区和中国没有“外交关系”。但是自2008年马英九“总统选举”以来，两岸关系有所改善。此外双方正致力于一项贸易协议的细节。不过，中国大陆对台湾地区影响力增加，这仍然让台湾地区民众非常反对。
The U.S. and Japan have said they are concerned about the governance of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, or AIIB. The United States has urged countries to consider details about the bank's governance and standards -- its social and environmental policy -- before joining. Critics say the AIIB threatens the work of existing development banks such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank.
美国和日本对亚洲基础设施投资银行的管理表示了担忧。美国一直督促各国在加入前考虑该银行的管理和以及社会和环境政策等标准的细节部分。批评人士表示，亚投行威胁到了现有开发银行的运转，例如世界银行、国际货币基金组织和亚洲开发银行。
Yet, the Asian Development Bank itself noted in a recent report that the need for infrastructure projects in Asia is great. The institution, led by the U.S. and Japan, estimated last May that the Asia Pacific area needed $800 billion each year in infrastructure development.
然而亚洲开发银行在最近一份报告中指出，亚洲的技术设施需求非常巨大。这家由美国和日本主导的机构去年五月估计亚太地区每年在基础设施建设方面存在8000亿美元的资金需求。
Experts are watching to see how China will take its leadership role in the new bank. The AIIB is expected to start with $100 billion in capital, mostly from China. Some experts point to the high interest in membership. Shi Yinhong is a political scientist at Renmin University in Beijing. He says China's leading part in the bank comes with benefits and costs.
专家们对中国在这家新银行里将如何起到领导作用拭目以待。亚投行预计以1千亿美元资本起步，其中大部分资金来自中国。一些专家指出了各国对会员身份的高昂兴趣。时殷弘（Shi Yinhong）是北京市中国人民大学的一位政治科学家。他说中国在这家银行的主导地位兼具收益和成本。
In other words, while China has gained from the effort to develop the AIIB, it will also have to satisfy other bank members and multi-national institutions. Officials at the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and Asian Development Bank say they are looking for ways to cooperate with the AIIB.
换句话说，当中国从发展亚投行的措施中受益，它也必须满足其它银行成员和多国机构。世界银行、国际货币基金组织和亚洲开发银行的官员们表示，他们正在寻找同亚投行合作的途径。
And that's the Economics Report from VOA Learning English. I'm Mario Ritter.
以上就是本期美国之音慢速英语经济报道的全部内容。我是马里奥·理特（Mario Ritter）。
本栏目视频字幕与文本并不完全对应，且视频播放缓冲时间较长，敬请谅解！
