在阅读外文报刊时，一旦涉及到美国对台湾的态度问题，经常会碰到单词status quo（现状）。这不，就华盛顿向台湾出售新一轮新型战机达成协议一事，美国依然唱老调——它将恪守三个联合公报，反对单方面改变台海现状。

请看外电相关报道：Beijing has lodged a solemn objection with Washington on its agreement to sell 66 advanced fighter jets to Taiwan. As to Washington, Bush reiterated that the US position on the Taiwan question is very clear: that the US Government will continue to adhere to the three joint communiques between the United States and China and is opposed to any attempt to unilaterally change thestatus quoacross the Taiwan Straits.

报道中的status quo源于拉丁语，指the existing condition or state of affairs（现状），常和动词maintain，preserve或uphold连用，表示“维持现状”，如“His directness bas annoyed some who seek to preserve the comfortable status quo.”（他直截了当的作风惹恼了一些安于现状的人。）

另外，若在status quo 后加上ante就是指“以前的状况”了，如：“He did not readily embrace my suggestion of a return to the status quo ante.”（ 他不怎么乐意接受我提出的恢复以前状况的建议。）


(英语点津陈蓓编辑）