这里是美国之音英语学习经济报道栏目。

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.

已经超过40个国家决定加入中国提出的亚洲基础设施投资银行，其中包括俄罗斯和台湾。然而两个世界经济大国，美国和日本，拒绝加入。

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.

中国在去年十月份提出这一计划，目的是为亚洲建设道路，桥梁，港口和其他设施项目集资。加入时间截止到3月31号。

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 SouthKorea, Australia and Russia.

在短短几个月的时间里，加入的国家数量几乎翻了一番。这些国家来自非洲，欧洲，南美，亚洲和太平洋地区。一些欧洲国家选择主动加入，其中包括英国，德国，法国和意大利。还有些其他重要的经济大国，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.

台湾也想要加入成为亚投行的一员。但是目前不清楚中国大陆方面会做何回应。台湾和中国没有外交关系。但是自2008年马英九选举上任以来双方关系有所改善。双方还就贸易协议共同商讨细节问题。然而台湾台独势力活动依然强劲。

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.

美国和日本表示对亚洲基础设施投资银行或者简称为AIIB表示担忧。美国敦促其他国家在加入之前考虑一下银行的管理和标准。即该银行的社会和环境政策。批评认识认为AIIB对现存银行，比如世界银行，国际货币基金组织和亚洲发展银行存在威胁。

Yet, the Asian Development Bank it self 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.

然而在最近的报道中亚洲发展银行表示在亚洲进行基础设施项目是非常需要的。该机构的领导方式美国和日本。据去年五月份估计，亚太地区每年需要8000亿美元用于基础设施建设。

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.

专家们都在期待着中国将如何领导该银行发展。AIIB预计将以1000万美元资金开始发展，资金主要来自于中国。一些专家指出了成员国之间的高收益回报。时殷弘是北京人民大学的政治学家，他说中国会以收益和成本领导银行。

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，就是在中国从AIIB获利的同时将会给其他成员国和跨国机构成员带来利益满足。世界银行，国际货币基金组织和亚洲发展银行官方表示，其正寻求与AIIB合作方式。

And that’s the Economics Report. I’m Mario Ritter.

This story is based on reports from VOA’s Bill Ide in Beijing. Mario Ritterwrote it for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

role – n. a part that someone or something has in a particular activity or situation

influence – n. the power to change or affect someone or something: the power to cause changes without directly forcing them to happen

social – adj. of or relating to people or society in general

From VOA Learning English, this is the Economics Report.

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.

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.

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 SouthKorea, Australia and Russia.

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.

The U.S. and Japan have said they are concerned about the governance of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, or AIIB. The United States hasurged 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.

Yet, the Asian Development Bank it self 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.

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.

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.

And that’s the Economics Report. I’m Mario Ritter.

This story is based on reports from VOA’s Bill Ide in Beijing. Mario Ritterwrote it for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

role – n. a part that someone or something has in a particular activity or situation

influence – n. the power to change or affect someone or something: the power to cause changes without directly forcing them to happen

social – adj. of or relating to people or society in general