[by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM [00:00.20]Two United States senators released a commentary this week [00:06.20]saying America will continue to support its Asian allies. [00:13.76]Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona [00:18.00]and Democratic Senator Robert Menendez of Florida [00:23.40]wrote in the South Korean Joongang Daily newspaper. [00:29.76]In the commentary, the senators made a bipartisan pledge. [00:35.48]They wrote that no matter who wins the presidential election in November, [00:42.36]the U.S. will stay active in Asia. [00:46.40]The American politicians said the alliance with South Korea "will never waver." [00:54.68]McCain and Menendez wrote: "Any political rhetoric to the contrary, [01:02.32]any talk of pulling back from our commitment [01:06.32]should be taken with a grain of salt on both sides of the Pacific." [01:13.76]The two senators also referred to presidential candidates [01:19.16]who "suggested that we ought to negotiate better deals with our partners and allies." [01:28.64]Presumptive Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has, [01:33.92]in the past, criticized both Japan and South Korea. [01:40.24]During the campaign to get the Republican Party nomination, [01:45.84]he said Japan and South Korea pay too little for American troops in their countries. [01:54.20]Trump has said he would consider withdrawing troops from the region [02:00.76]if Japan and South Korea refuse to increase security payments to the U.S. [02:09.48]The two U.S. senators did not name Trump in the article. [02:15.36]McCain and Trump have not agreed in the past. [02:21.60]McCain has endorsed Trump for president. [02:25.52]McCain is one of many prominent Republicans [02:30.41]who will not be attending the convention this week in Cleveland. [02:35.36]McCain is also running for reelection [02:39.36]and has indicated he will to stay close to home to campaign. [02:45.48]Trump's position has drawn harsh comments from many in Asia. [02:51.93]They say changes would hurt trust in the U.S. [02:57.47]Experts argue that a nuclear arms race would start in Asia. [03:05.76]They also note that any arms buildup would hurt international efforts [03:13.12]to pressure North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons. [03:18.88]The senators noted there has been military cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. [03:28.76]That cooperation followed North Korea's fourth nuclear test [03:34.92]and long-range rocket launches earlier this year. [03:39.96]Recently the U.S. and South Korea agreed to deploy [03:46.52]the American Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile system, or THAAD. [03:54.64]China and Russia opposed the deployment of the THAAD system. [04:00.40]China considers THAAD part of an increasing U.S. military buildup in Asia. [04:09.40]Chinese officials are concerned that the system's powerful radar could cover Chinese territory. [04:18.56]THAAD has also caused protests in South Korean communities. [04:24.40]Some in the South are worried about public health and safety concerns. [04:31.76]I'm Marsha James. [04:34.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM