US ratchets up pressure on Chinese telecom firms

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is looking to strip three Chinese telecom firms of their US operating licenses.

China Unicom Americas, Pacific Networks and ComNet had failed to explain their links to Beijing, the FCC said.

The US communications watchdog has long argued those links could pose a national security risk.

The move signals that US president Joe Biden is likely continue Donald Trump's tough approach on Chinese tech firms.

TIPS:

① strip someone of ... 剥夺 (财产、权利); 撤销 (头衔)

Ø The soldiers have stripped the civilians of their passports, and every other type of document. 那些士兵们已经夺走了市民的护照以及所有其他证件。

② China Unicom Americas 中国联通美洲分公司

③ Pacific Networks 太平洋网络公司

④ ComNet 全美通讯网

参考译文：

美国联邦通讯委员会（FCC）正在考虑撤销三家中国电信企业在美国的运营许可证。

FCC表示，中国联通美洲分公司、太平洋网络公司及其子公司全美通讯网无法解释他们与中国政府之间的联系。

长时间来，美国通讯监管机构一直辩称，此联系可能构成国家安全风险。

此次撤销之举预示着美国总统拜登有可能延续特朗普对中国科技公司的强硬态度。

Expelled from US

The FCC voted unanimously on Wednesday to revoke the licenses of the three companies, a move that could see them expelled from the US market.

The companies were asked in April last year to address concerns over the their links to the Chinese government, which the FCC claimed could leave them vulnerable to its "exploitation, influence, and control".

TIPS:

① unanimously adv. 全体一致地

② revoke v.撤回；废除

③ exploitation n. 开发，开采；利用；广告推销；剥削

参考译文：

逐出美国

本周三，FCC一致投票决定撤销三家企业的运营许可证，此举可能将导致三家企业被逐出美国市场。

从去年4月开始，FCC就要求这三家企业解释清楚他们与中国政府之间的联系，并宣称这种联系可能会导致这几家公司容易受到中国的“利用、影响和控制”。

But while the companies have tried to address the FCC's concerns, it has not accepted their explanations.

"The threat to our networks from entities aligned with Communist China is one that we must address head on, and I am pleased that the FCC continues to show the strength and resolve necessary to meet this menace," FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said in a statement.

TIPS:

menace n. 威胁；危险性; 威胁性；v.威胁

Ø In my view, you are a menace to the public. 在我看来，你对公众是一个威胁。

Ø They seem determined to menace the United States and its allies. 他们好像决心要威胁美国及其盟国。

参考译文：

但当这三家企业试图打消FCC顾虑时，FCC却并不接受他们的解释。

FCC委员布伦丹·卡尔（Brendan Carr）在一则声明中表示，“企业与中国政府联盟对我们网络所带来的威胁，是我们必须正视的问题，我很高兴看到在面对威胁时，FCC依然展现出强硬态度和决心。”

China Unicom is a unit of one China's three major telecommunications networks.

Pacific Networks resells international voice and data services to US operators, while its subsidiary ComNet provides a variety of mobile services, including SIM cards and international calling cards.

The FCC granted approvals for the three companies to operate in the US more than a decade ago, when there was less concern in the US about Chinese technology companies.

参考译文：

中国联通是中国三大电信企业之一。

太平洋网络公司向美国运营商出售国际语音和数据服务，其子公司全美通讯网则提供多种移动服务，包括SIM卡和国际电话卡。

FCC早在十多年前批准了这三家企业在美国的运营权，那个时候美国对中国的科技公司还没有很在意。

More scrutiny

Separately, the Commerce Department said it had served subpoenas on multiple Chinese firms which operate in the US, to see if they pose a national security risk.

The move followed a Trump-era executive order, which sought to secure telecommunications and technology supply chain.

TIPS:

subpoena n.(传唤出庭作证的) 传票 v.传唤 (证人) 出庭; 要求 (证据) 到庭

参考译文：

更多审查

此外，美国商务部称，已向多家在美国运营的中国公司发出传票，以检查他们是否对美国构成国家安全威胁。

此前，特朗普就任时期曾颁布一项行政命令，旨在保护通讯和基础供应链的安全。

The subpoenas will gather information to "allow us to make a determination for possible action that best protects the security of American companies, American workers, and US national security," Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said.

"Beijing has engaged in conduct that blunts our technological edge and threatens our alliances," she added.

The department did not name any companies.

参考译文：

美国商务部长吉娜·雷蒙多（Gina Raimondo）表示，传票将收集信息，以“让我们决定下一步该如何行动，才能最好地保护美国企业、美国工人，并确保国家安全。”

她补充说，“中方的行为削弱了我们的技术优势，威胁到我们的盟友。”

美国商务部未提及任何公司的名字。