09-20-06

美國和中國達成定期舉行經濟協商協議(U.S., China Agree To Regular Economic Discussion Pact)

美國和中國官員宣佈，根據一項旨在擴大兩國間長遠關係以及緩和緊張局勢的協議，雙方每年至少將舉行兩次有關經濟問題的高層會談。這一消息在美國財政部長保爾森星期三在北京訪問期間宣佈。

有關官員說，這項協議是為了通過兩國間定期高層對話來推動經濟合作。他們說，協議得到了美國總統布希和中國國家主席胡錦濤的支援。美國官員說，這一消息並不意味著美國會在關注的諸如中國貨幣靈活性等經濟問題上退縮。

美國和歐盟官員爭辯說，中國人民幣的幣值偏低，使中國產品在國際市場上擁有不公平的優勢。

保爾森今天會見了中國國國務院副總理吳儀和其他高級官員。

U.S. and Chinese officials have announced they will hold top-level meetings on economic issues at least twice a year, under a pact to expand long-term relations and ease tensions between the two nations. The announcement Wednesday came during U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson's visit to Beijing.

Officials say the agreement it is designed to promote economic cooperation through regular, high-level dialogue between the two nations. They say the agreement has the support of President Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao. U.S. officials say the announcement does not mean the United States will back down on economic concerns such as the flexibility of Chinese currency.

U.S. and E.U. officials have argued that China's currency, the yuan, is undervalued, giving Chinese products an unfair advantage in international markets.

Paulson meets today with Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi and other top ranking officials.

泰領導人在國內政變後飛往英國 (Thai Leader Flying to Britain After Coup at Home)

泰國被推翻的他信總理，在國內發生軍事政變後，正在前往英國途中。他信星期二在紐約參加聯合國大會年度會議期間，被泰國陸軍發動的政變推翻。英國外交部表示，這位泰國領導人將以私人訪問形式到倫敦，不會與任何英國官員會面。

他信星期三離開紐約之前說，他從來沒有想到軍方會發動政變，但是他表示，他不會把住權力不放。

在曼谷，指揮軍事政變的泰國陸軍總司令頌提表示，推翻他信對於解決衝突，讓泰國恢復正常是必要的。他沒有直接回答他信的財產是否會被沒收，或是這位總理是否會因腐敗指稱而遭到起訴。頌提說，泰國國王普密蓬已經授權他領導政府，直到兩星期內新的看守政府組成為止。頌提保證說，新的選舉會在2007年10月前舉行。

Thailand's ousted prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, is on his way to Britain after a military coup in his country. Mr. Thaksin was deposed by the army Tuesday while he was in New York for the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly. Britain's Foreign Office says the Thai leader will be in London on a private visit, and will not have any meetings with government officials.

Before leaving New York today Wednesday, Mr. Thaksin said he never expected the military would stage a coup. But he indicated he will not try to cling to power.

In Bangkok, the man who engineered the coup - Army Chief General Sondhi Boonyaratglin - said Mr. Thaksin's overthrow was necessary to resolve conflict and bring normalcy back to the country. He would not directly answer questions about whether Mr. Thaksin's assets will be confiscated or whether the prime minister will be prosecuted for alleged corruption. Sondhi said King Bhumipol Adulyadej has authorized him to lead the government until a new caretaker administration is formed in two weeks. The general pledged that new elections will be held by October of 2007.