09-14-07

中國謀求在世貿與美國談判貿易糾紛 (China Seeks WTO Talks with US on Trade Dispute)

中國尋求在世貿組織和美國舉行會談，解決華盛頓對來自中國的某些紙張進口進行懲罰引起的爭議。中國貿易官員說，他們星期五在世貿組織的所在地日內瓦向美國方面遞交了磋商請求。這個請求是對華盛頓決定對光澤紙進口徵收反傾銷懲罰的回應。光澤紙是用於印刷藝術書刊、教科書以及高級雜誌的紙張。

與中國進行競爭的美國生產商爭辯說，中國政府不公正的補貼幫助中國生產商用低於市場價格出售他們的紙張。依據世貿組織條例，雙方在世貿組織仲裁人員介入之前，有60天的時間通過雙邊會談解決分歧。

China is seeking talks with the United States at the World Trade Organization in a dispute over penalties Washington has imposed on some paper imports from China. Chinese trade officials say they delivered the request for consultations to U.S. officials Friday in Geneva, where the WTO is based.

The request is a response to a decision by Washington to impose anti-dumping penalties on the import of glossy paper, which is used in art-books, textbooks and high-end magazines.

U.S. manufacturers who compete with China argue that unfair government subsidies are helping Chinese producers sell the paper at below-market prices. According to WTO regulations, the two sides will have 60 days to resolve the dispute through bilateral talks before WTO arbitrators step in.

日本角逐首相人選減至麻生和福田 (Japan's Race for Prime Minister Narrows to Aso, Fukuda)

在日本首相安倍晉三本星期突然宣佈辭職以後，日本繼任安倍晉三的角逐已經縮小到在兩位候選人之間進行。前內閣官房長官福田康夫星期五宣佈有意在9月23號舉行的政黨選舉中角逐自民黨總裁。

福田康夫宣佈參加角逐後，福田康夫贏得了宣佈退出競選的主管財政的大藏省大臣額賀福志郎的支援。

幾個小時後，前外相麻生太郎也加入到自民黨總裁的競爭行列。他目前擔任自民黨幹事長。

自民黨總裁競爭的勝利者將擔任日本下任首相，因為自民黨在富有權力的日本國會眾議院擁有多數席位。

福田康夫被視為主張與中國和南韓發展良好關係，而麻生太郎以保守觀點著稱，有時讓日本的鄰國感到憤怒。

Japan's race to succeed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has narrowed to a two-way contest, following the abrupt resignation of Japan's leader this week. Yasuo Fukuda, a former chief Cabinet secretary, announced Friday that he intends to run for president of the Liberal Democratic Party during party elections on September 23rd.

Shortly after declaring his candidacy, Fukuda won the backing of the finance minister Fukushiro Nukaga, who withdrew his own bid.

Hours later, former Foreign Minister Taro Aso joined the race to lead the LDP. He is secretary-general of the party.

The winner of the LDP leadership race is set to become Japan's next prime minister because the party holds a majority in the powerful lower house.

Fukuda is seen as an advocate of warm relations with China and South Korea, while Aso is known for his conservative views that have sometimes riled Japan's neighbors.