「不定時炸彈」
Former Chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan, James Moriarty, has called for the creation of an “effective deterrent” against China’s Anti-Secession Law.
前美國在台協會主席莫健呼籲建立「有效嚇阻機制」，來對抗中國的《反分裂國家法》。
American Institute in Taiwan美國在台協會(AIT)creation(n.)建立;創建=establishmenteffective(adj.)有效果的efficient(adj.)有效率的deter sb. from doing sth.阻止、阻撓某人做某事act as deterrent to~對～起到嚇阻作用
He made this appeal during an October 15 seminar in Washington, D.C., co-hosted by American and Taiwanese organizations.
他在10月15日於華盛頓特區舉行的一場研討會上如此呼籲，這場研討會是由美國與台灣機構共同主辦。
appeal(n.)(v.)呼籲seminar(n.)研討會=conferencehost(n.)主人(v.)主辦、主持co-host(v.)(共同)主辦、主持host country主辦國
The law, passed in 2005 by China’s National People’s Congress during President Hu Jintao’s administration, was meant to oppose and prevent Taiwan’s secession from China.
《反分裂國家法》於2005年在胡錦濤擔任國家主席期間由中國全國人民代表大會通過，旨在反對和遏制台獨勢力分裂國家。
administration(n.)政府mean to VR打算;有意做be meant to~打算;計畫要=be intended to~
It consists of 10 short articles that outline the People’s Republic of China’s goal of “national reunification” with Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory.
該法由10條簡短條文構成，概述了中華人民共和國實現與台灣「國家統一」的目標，並認為台灣為其領土。
consist of=be made up of=be composed of 由～組成article(n.)條文goal(n.)目標=objective=aimreunify(v.)、reunification(n.)統一territory(n.)領土territorial(adj.)領土的disputed territory有爭議的領土occupied territory被佔領的領土
While the law mentions peaceful methods for achieving this, Article 8 grants Beijing the authority to use military force if deemed necessary.
雖然《反分裂國家法》有提到以和平方式達成此目標，但第八條授權北京在必要時使用武力。
while(conj.)雖然method(n.)方式=approachgrant(v.)給予;賦予deem(v.)視為;視作
In his speech, Moriarty referred to the law as “a horrible thing,” but he singled out Article 8 as a “ticking time bomb.”
在演講中，莫健稱這項法律「很糟糕」，但他特別指出第八條如同「不定時炸彈」。
refer to...as...稱～為～reference(n.)提及single out(為給予批評、表揚等)單獨挑出ticking time bomb不定時炸彈
He explained that this article, in particular, gives Beijing the power to decide when it has abandoned peaceful methods for taking Taiwan.
他解釋說，第八條特別賦予北京決定何時放棄以和平方式統一台灣的權力。
in particular尤其=particularly=especiallyabandon(v.)放棄=give up
Moriarty also noted that when China first passed the law, the U.S. was concerned that Taiwan might destabilize cross-strait relations by declaring independence.
莫健還提到，中國首次通過這項法律時，美國擔心台灣可能會透過宣布獨立來破壞兩岸關係的穩定。
note(v.)提到stable(adj.)穩定的stabilize(v.)使穩定destabilize(v.)使不穩定cross-strait relations兩岸關係declare independence宣布獨立
However, he now believes the situation has changed, especially with Chinese President Xi Jinping being more focused on “the Taiwan issue” than his predecessors were.
然而，他現在認為局勢已經不同，尤其是在中國國家主席習近平比其前任更專注於「台灣問題」的情況下。
predecessor(n.)前任、前輩
Moriarty also highlighted that China’s issuance of the “22 Opinions,” which includes punishments such as the death penalty for Taiwan independence activists, has further escalated the situation.
莫健還強調，中國發布的《懲治台獨分子22條意見》，其中包括對提倡台獨者處以死刑的懲罰，使局勢更加嚴峻。
highlight(v.)強調=emphasize=underlineissue(v.)、 issuance(n.)發布penalty(n.)刑罰、懲罰the death penalty死刑=capital punishmentescalate(v.)(使)加劇;(使危機等)升級escalator(n.)手扶梯further(adv.)(距離或程度)更進一步farther(adv.)更遠地(通常用於物理距離)
He concluded his speech by stressing that Western countries must act “as quickly as possible” to deter Beijing from using force against Taiwan.
他在演講的結尾強調，西方國家必須「盡快」行動，以阻止北京對台灣使用武力。
deter sb. from doing sth.阻止、阻撓某人做某事adopt(v.)採用=employ