2019年11月8日出版《经济学人》翻译文章-1
China’s “maritime road”
中国的“海上丝绸之路”
The best offence is a good defence
防御是最好的进攻
China’s foreign port-building helps to protect existing trade routes
中国的海外港口建设有助于保护现有贸易路线
AN OLD SAYING warns about Greeks bearing gifts, but it might fit the Chinese better. In the 1400s Zheng He, a Muslim slave who became the Ming empire’s admiral, led seven voyages south and west. He offered treasure to every leader he met—but only if they acknowledged the emperor, joining a world order centred on Beijing.
西方有句老话,警告人们小心带着礼物来的希腊人,但这句话用在中国人身上也许更合适。明朝有个叫郑和的穆斯林,早年曾做奴隶,后来任水师将领,在15世纪七次下西洋。他向沿途所经各地的首领送上财宝,但前提是他们承认明朝皇帝并加入以北京为中心的世界秩序。