09-25-07

日本觀察員將觀摩中國軍演 (Japanese Observers to Attend Chinese Military Drill)

中國國營媒體說，日本的觀察員下星期將首次觀摩在中國東北地區舉行的一次軍事演習。星期二的報導說，一名日本自衛隊參謀軍官和一名使館武官將觀察下星期二舉行的“勇士-2007”軍演。參加這次的演習有來自一個摩托化步兵師的1萬多名官兵。

報導援引中國國防部官員錢利華少將的話說，日本觀察員觀摩演習是加強軍事合作的具體措施。他還說，中國和日本將繼續在防衛和安全事務上合作。

日本過去曾經對中國迅速增長的軍事預算以及軍事不夠透明表達過關注。中國國防部長曹剛川8月份訪問日本的時候，對外界對中國軍力擴充的關注表示不以為然。

Chinese state media say Japanese observers will attend a military drill in northeastern China for the first time next week. News reports Tuesday say a Japanese staff officer and a defense attache are scheduled to attend the "Warrior 2007" exercise next Tuesday. The exercise involves more than 10-thousand troops from a motorized rifle division.

Major General Qian Lihua of China's Defense Ministry is quoted as saying the presence of the Japanese observers is a "tangible measure" of strengthening military cooperation. He said Japan and China will continue to work together in defense and security matters.

In the past, Japan has expressed concern about China's fast-growing defense budget and its lack of transparency in military affairs. During a visit to Japan last August, Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan dismissed concerns about the military buildup.

希臘稱英國應歸還雕像償歷史債 (Greece Says Britain has Historic Debt to Return Sculptures)

希臘新任文化部長米哈利斯.利亞比斯說，英國應該把有爭議的巴臺農神廟大理石雕塑歸還雅典。利亞比斯星期一說，現在希臘所有政界領袖都應對英國施加更多壓力，要求英國歸還這些古老雕塑。這些雕塑也被稱為“額爾金大理石雕”。

利亞比斯星期一參觀了新建的衛城博物館。他說，現有博物館的成百件藝術品向新館的轉移工作將於今年10月14號開始。新博物館明年對外開放。

巴臺農神廟大理石雕是原本安放在衛城神廟石柱上端的雕塑。這些藝術品在19世紀被當時的英國大使額爾金勳爵運出希臘，後來又被賣給倫敦的大英博物館。希臘在過去的幾十年裏一直要求英國歸還這些文物。

Greece's new culture minister Michalis Liapis says Britain should return the disputed Parthenon Marbles to Athens. Liapis said Monday it is time for all Greek political leaders to increase pressure on Britain to hand over the ancient sculptures, also known as the Elgin Marbles.

Liapis visited the site of the new Acropolis Museum Monday. He said the transfer of the hundreds of artifacts from the current museum will begin October 14th. It will open next year.

The Parthenon Marbles, part of a frieze around the ancient temple that sits atop the Acropolis, were taken out of Greece by British Ambassador Lord Elgin in the 19th century and later sold to the British Museum in London. Greece has been demanding their return for decades.