美中太平洋軍事較勁
The ongoing trade war between China and the United States has been the centerpiece of souring relations between the two countries in recent months.
近幾個月來，中美之間持續進行的貿易戰導致兩國關係惡化，成為全球關注的焦點，
trade war貿易戰trade dispute貿易衝突centerpiece(n.)最重要的部分;矚目的焦點sour(v.)(關係)惡化=worsen
But according to the New York Times’ analysis, competition for dominance of the Pacific Ocean is still the most likely source of conflict between the two sides as problems in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait remain unresolved.
但根據《紐約時報》的分析，由於南海和台灣海峽的問題仍未得到解決，爭奪在太平洋的主導地位仍然是中美雙方最可能的衝突點。
competition(n.)競爭;爭奪dominance(n.)優勢、支配、統治地位unresolved(adj.)(問題或困難)未解決的;未克服的resolve(v.)(徹底)解決;消除
Two recent events were cited to substantiate the point.
最近發生的兩個事件證實了這一論點，
cite(v.)舉例;引證;引述;引用substantiate(v.)證明;證實=prove
During the US-China Diplomacy and Security Dialogue (D&SD) held in Washington on November 9, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke of the solid relationship between the United States and “Democratic Taiwan”.
在11月9日於華盛頓舉行的美中外交與安全對話（D＆SD）中，美國國務卿蓬佩奧談到美國與「民主台灣」之間的關係穩固，
solid(adj.)穩固的
Pompeo reiterated that the US will not change its policies and remains concerned about China’s intimidation and suppression of Taiwan’s international space.
蓬佩奧重申，美國不會改變政策，仍關切中國對台灣的恐嚇及壓縮台灣國際空間的行為。
reiterate(v.)重申intimidation(n.)恫嚇;恐嚇suppression(n.)壓迫、壓抑
To that, Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe retorted: Taiwan is an inseparable part of China.
對此，中國國防部長魏鳳和反駁台灣是中國不可分割的一部分，
retort(v.)反駁=counterinseparable(adj.)(事物)分不開的、不可分的separate(v.)分割;分開
If Taiwan splits from China, China will maintain territorial integrity “at all costs”.
如果台灣從中國分裂出去，中國將「不惜一切代價」保持領土完整。
split from 脫離at all coasts不計任何代價
Meanwhile, the US has made it clear that it is not backing out of the South China Sea disputes.
同時，美國已表明不會對南海爭議置身事外，
make it clear that…清楚表明dispute(n.)爭執;爭議
Last week, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence attended the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit to shore up support for American efforts to counterbalance China.
上週，美國副總統彭斯出席東南亞國家協會（ASEAN）峰會，爭取對美支持，以反制中國。
shore up 改善、提升counterbalance(v.)抵銷、抗衡
Graham Allison, a professor at Harvard University who once wrote a book about the potential war between the US and China, said that most people in the region thought it was too late to reverse the situation as China’s reclamation of the South China Sea has expanded its influence.
曾出書論及美中可能爆發戰爭的哈佛大學教授艾利森說，中國在南海填海造島擴大影響力，區域內大多數人原本以為扭轉局勢為時已晚，
reverse(v.)扭轉;翻轉reclamation(n.)填海造地
However, “the Trump administration now means to fight back vigorously on all fronts, including on the South China Sea — and perhaps even on Taiwan,” said Allison.
然而，沒想到川普政府現在打算全面反擊，除了南海，也可能為台灣槓上北京。
vigorously(adv.)精神旺盛地、活潑地、激烈地、堅定地forcefully(adv.)強而有力地front(n.)(戰爭)前線