10-31-07

中国将建造新系列运载火箭 (China to Build new Series of Rocket Launchers)

中国计划建造一组新型火箭，以增强其把卫星和空间站送入太空轨道的能力。中国官方媒体报导，新的长征5型运载火箭将在北部港口城市天津建造，并在位于热带的海南岛上新发射中心发射升空。

中国要等到2013年才有能力发射这种新型火箭。

北京表示，其太空项目是为了和平目的。但有人担心，中国的太空努力可能会导致与美国之间的太空竞赛，特别是在中国今年1月发射一枚导弹击毁了自己的一枚陈旧卫星之后。

China is planning to build a new family of rockets to boost the country's capabilities to put satellites and space stations into orbit. Chinese state media say the new Long March 5 carrier rockets will be made in the northern port city of Tianjin and sent into space from a new launch center based in the tropical island province of Hainan.

China will not be able to launch the new generation of rockets until 2013.

Beijing says its intentions in space are peaceful, but some are concerned that its efforts in the sector may trigger a space race with the United States, especially after China launched a missile to blow up one of its own satellites in January.

中国柴油短缺触发排长队及配额 (Diesel Fuel Shortage in China Triggers Long Lines, Rationing)

中国的柴油短缺导致全国某些地区出现了加油站排长队以及购油限量。中国管理人员以及地方新闻媒体说，柴油短缺干扰了中国一些主要的沿岸地区，诸如上海和中国的主要出口省份广东、浙江以及福建的卡车运输。

警方说，在中国中部的河南省，一人因在加油站插队购买燃油，后来在引发的争斗中被打死。

柴油短缺可能对经济的影响目前还不清楚。中国石油化工公司星期三说，该公司正在努力设法解决柴油供应的问题，并将在11月进口更多的石油。该公司说，石油价格攀升是造成现有状况的部分原因。

A shortage of diesel fuel in China is triggering long lines at the pump in some parts of the country, and fuel rationing. Managers and local Chinese media say diesel fuel shortages have disrupted trucking in major coastal areas such as Shanghai and China's export-driven provinces of Guangdong, Zhejiang and Fujian.

Police say a man in central Henan province was killed in a brawl after he cut in line at a gas station.

The possible economic impact is still unclear, and Wednesday, China Petroleum and Chemical Corp, said it is working hard to resolve problems with the diesel fuel supply and that it will import more oil in November. The company says rising oil prices are partly to blame for the situation.