置身事外？
Since October 2023, Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen have been launching attacks on international merchant vessels traversing the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the Red Sea.
自2023年10月以來，受到伊朗支持的葉門胡希武裝份子持續攻擊經過紅海曼德海峽的國際商船。
Iran-backed伊朗支持的=Iran-supportedmilitant(n.)好戰份子have been V-ing現在完成進行式launch(v.)發射、發動launch an attack發動攻擊launch a missile發射飛彈launch a rocket發射火箭merchant vessels商船traverse(v.)橫跨、穿越=travel across or throughstrait(n.)海峽the Taiwan Strait台灣海峽
While early attacks were aimed at Israel-related ships, the militants soon became less discriminate, instead targeting “all ships passing through the strait” regardless of their affiliation with Israel.
最初這些攻擊主要針對以色列相關的船隻，但隨後胡希武裝份子變得不分青紅皂白，開始攻擊「所有經過海峽的船隻」，無論是否與以色列有關。
while(prep.)儘管;雖然be aimed at…瞄準;以～為目標=be targeted atdiscriminate(adj.)區別的(v.)歧視、區別對待;區別、區分discriminate against homosexuals歧視同性戀者discriminate between different smells辨別各種不同的氣味regardless of~不管;不顧affiliation with…與～有隸屬關係、聯繫=connection with…
As this Red Sea Crisis has deteriorated, it has caused a dramatic spike in shipping prices due to vessels being forced to reroute around Africa to avoid Houthi threats.
隨著紅海危機的惡化，船隻被迫繞道非洲以避開胡希武裝份子的威脅，導致航運價格大幅飆升。
deteriorate(v.)變糟;惡化=become progressively worseescalate(v.)加劇spike(n.)(價格)暴漲reroute(v.)改變…的路線;給…重定路線
Alarabiya News has reported that these circumstances could be especially detrimental to China due to its already “faltering economy.”
阿拉伯衛視新聞報導指出，由於中國已經「經濟衰退」，這些情況對中國尤其不利。
detrimental(adj.)有害的、不利的、造成損害的=harmful=damagingfalter(v.)衰弱、衰退、搖搖晃晃faltering(adj.)衰退的faltering economy衰退的經濟=declining or weakening economy
Beijing has not participated in international efforts to stop the Houthi attacks, even with Chinese ships reportedly being among those targeted.
儘管據報導中國船隻也在受害之列，但北京並未參與國際社會阻止胡希攻擊的行動。
participate in參與=take part in=partake in=engage inwith O OC附帶狀況的說明
According to the U.S. State Department’s Kurt Campbell, Beijing has been “profoundly unhelpful” in helping other affected countries end the crisis.
根據美國國務院官員坎貝爾的說法，北京在協助其他受影響國家解決危機方面「極度沒有幫助」。
He even suspects that China contacted the militant group directly and requested that its ships be left alone instead of standing with other naval powers against the Houthis.
他甚至懷疑中國已直接聯繫胡希武裝組織，要求不要攻擊中國船隻，而非與其他海軍強權齊力抵抗胡希武裝份子。
request that S (should) VR 要求、請求...(應該)...leave...alone不干涉、不理會、不去傷害stand with 支持、與～站在一起、與～同一陣線
Many have wondered why China has been so inactive, especially since Beijing prides itself on being a “peacemaker in the Middle East.”
許多人都在思考為何中國在此事上如此消極，尤其是因為北京一向以「中東和平使者」自居。
pride oneself on sth. 因某事情感到自豪、得意=take pride in=be proud ofpeacemaker(n.)調解人;調停人
According to Yang Xiaotong, an assistant researcher at a Beijing-based independent think tank, there are likely several reasons for this, including other countries overestimating Beijing’s political clout in Iran, China’s desire for a growing conflict in the Middle East to divert U.S. military assets away from East Asia and the Chinese military’s lack of power beyond its own region.
北京一家獨立智庫的助理研究員楊曉彤指出可能有幾個原因，包括其他國家高估了北京在伊朗的政治影響力、中國希望中東衝突加劇以轉移美國在東亞的軍事資產，以及中國軍方在自身區域外缺乏影響力。
assistant researcher助理研究員research assistant研究助理think tank智庫overestimate(v.)高估underestimate(v.)低估clout(n.)影響力、權勢=power=influence=leveragedivert(v.)使改變方向;轉向;轉移military assets軍事資產
Yang also notes that China typically undertakes its “diplomatic peace-making efforts” in the Middle East at times when American involvement is essentially impossible, as was the case when Beijing brokered renewed relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran in 2023.
楊曉彤還指出，中國通常會在美國基本上不可能介入的情況下於中東進行「外交和平行動」，北京在2023年促成沙烏地阿拉伯與伊朗修復外交關係時就是如此。
undertake(v.)(開始)做、承擔、從事(尤指耗時或困難之事)involvement(n.)參與;涉入=participationas(準關代)正如同broker(n.)經紀人;掮客(v.)作為經紀人(或中間人)安排(交易、協議等)insurance broker保險經紀人renew(v.)重新開始renewed relations重修關係;重續關係
Consequently, Yang believes that China is likely avoiding action in resolving the current crisis out of fear of revealing shortcomings in its diplomatic and military capabilities.
因此，楊曉彤認為，中國可能是為了避免暴露其外交及軍事能力的不足，而避免採取行動來解決當前的危機。
consequently(adv.)因此=as a consequence=in consequenceresolve(v.)解決;解除;消除resolve the problem of transportation解決交通的問題shortcoming(n.)缺點、弱點、不足之處=weakness=weak pointstrength(n.)長處、強項、優勢=strong point=strong suit