or you could call it a pet project.

或者你也可以說是一個得意之作

He wants to revive China's ancient Silk Road.

他想要重振中國古絲綢之路

That means spurring trade along the two thousand year old routes via a network of railways,

也就是說要透過鐵路網來刺激這條有兩千年歷史道路的周遭貿易

ports, pipelines, and highways.

港口、管道和公路

The Silk Road project is supposed to boost development

絲綢之路計畫應該要促進發展

and deepen economic ties across Central Asia.

和加深整個中亞地區的經濟連結

But critics see it as a way for China to spread its influence further west.

但評論家認為這是中國將其影響伸向西方國家的方法

So here's the situation.

目前的狀況如下所述

The original Silk Road began as a trade route that stretched from Central China as far as Europe.

原本的絲綢之路是一條貿易用道路，它從華中地區一路延伸到歐洲為止

In its heyday, silk, spices and porcelain were transported to the West.

在極盛時期，絲綢、香料和瓷器皆有運輸到歐洲

Today, Xi wants to use steel and other materials from China's over-producing factories

今日，習近平主席想要利用中國工廠生產過剩的鋼鐵和其他物料

to improve infrastructure along the route.

來提升道路沿路上的公共建設

Typical plans include the development of ports in Malaysia and Tanzania

代表性的計劃包含馬來西亞和坦尚尼亞的港口發展

or highways in Pakistan and Tajikistan.

或巴基斯坦和塔吉克斯坦的公路發展

To help bankroll, Xi's dream—also known as the "One belt, One road" initiative—

為了提供執行計畫的資金，完成習近平主席的夢想，也就是所謂的「一帶一路」

the Chinese government created the $40 billion Silk Road fund.

中國政府出資四百億，成立絲路基金

Xi has said more than 30 countries signed formal agreements with China

習近平主席表示，已經有超過 30 個國家和中國簽署正式協定

and 20 more were cooperating on plans such as railways and nuclear power.

並有超過 20 個國家和中國協力進行鐵路和核能計畫

But partner nations are weighing economic benefits

但夥伴國正在衡量經濟利益

against an increasingly dominant superpower's demands.

和漸增的優勢主導權需求

A deal for a rail project in Thailand fell through because, according to Thailand,

中國與泰國協議的鐵路計畫終告失敗，因為據泰國政府說

there were "strings attached," namely China demanding commercial property rights.

協議中有「附帶條約」，亦即中國要求商業產權

Here's the argument:

以下是爭議點：

China says the Silk Road initiative is a way to boost industrialization

中國聲稱一帶一路是對於夾在東方和西方國家間的發展中國家

in the developing nations sandwiched between East and West.

能夠促進工業化的一種方法

Economists agree that the initiative has the potential to stimulate Asian

經濟學家同意此倡議有刺激亞洲

and global economic growth.

和全球經濟成長的潛力

But there are also risks, like funds not going where they're supposed to in a region

但是這也有風險，例如區域基金沒有流向它應該流向的地方

beset by corruption, and long-shot development turning into white elephants

困擾於像是貪污和浪費錢又機會渺茫的發展計畫

There is also concern about China's increasingly assertive military, particularly in Asia's waters.

同時也存在著對中國漸增的軍事武斷的擔憂，特別是在亞洲海域