●筷子的故事-中国人的自豪●

Having their origins〖起源〗 in China, chopsticks are used in many Asian countries. The first chopsticks were made from bone and jade¹. In the Spring and Autumn period〖春秋时代〗, copper² and iron chopsticks came into being〖产生〗.

In ancient times the rich used jade or gold chopsticks to display their wealth. Many kings and emperors used silver chopsticks to see if their food was poisoned.

Chopsticks are traditionally placed in bride's dowries〖新娘的嫁妆〗, for "Chopsticks" in Chinese is pronounced "kuaizi", which sounds like "soon to get a son."

Many foreign friends used chopsticks when they visited China. Nixon also used chopsticks at the welcoming banquet in his honor. As soon as he left his table, a foreign diplomat³ grabbed〖抓取〗his chopsticks as historic souvenir〖纪念品〗.

探讨中美贸易摩擦的对策

Today trade imbalance〖贸易失衡〗between the United States and our country is becoming worse〖日益恶化〗. We cannot leave this problem unattended〖置之不理〗, because the make a couple of proposals 〖提出若干建议〗to improve the whole situation.

First, we need to do more public relations activities〖公关活动〗to promote understanding, because some of their criticisms are based on misconceptions〖误解〗about our country. We have to communicate with them more by sending lobbyists〖游说人员〗, producing more movies, publishing books, and so on.

Second, we have to make an effort to encourage American companies to do business in our country. We should revise our projectionist⁴ practices in trade〖贸易保护主义〗, and promote free trade and competition.

At any rate〖总而言之〗, our country and the United States need each other, and we have to maintain〖保持；维持；继续〗communication to understand each other.