China and North Korea: Their Friendship

中國與北韓:他們的友誼


Introduction

China and North Korea have a special agreement from 1961. They promise to help each other. A leader from North Korea recently visited Beijing to talk about this.

中國與北韓在1961年簽署了一份特別協議。他們承諾會互相幫助。最近北韓的一位領導人訪問北京討論此事。

Main Body

China and North Korea are friends because they fought together in a war long ago. Both countries have similar governments. They both do not want the US military in Korea. However, China is now very rich, but North Korea is poor.

中國與北韓是朋友,因為他們很久以前在一次戰爭中共同戰鬥。兩個國家的政府都很相似。他們都不希望美國軍隊留在朝鮮半島。然而,現在中國非常富有,但北韓很貧窮。

China wants its area to be quiet and safe. China does not want North Korea to fail. If North Korea fails, many people will leave the country. This will cause big problems for China.

中國希望其周邊地區保持平靜與安全。中國不希望北韓崩潰。如果北韓崩潰,許多人將會離開該國。這將給中國帶來巨大的問題。

Now, North Korea is also friends with Russia. This is new. North Korea can get help and weapons from Russia. China is happy because it spends less money, but China is worried it has less power now.

現在,北韓也與俄羅斯建立了友誼。這是新情況。北韓可以從俄羅斯獲得援助和武器。中國感到高興因為可以減少支出,但中國也擔心自己的影響力有所下降。

Conclusion

China and North Korea stay friends because they need each other. But the relationship is changing because of Russia and the US.

中國與北韓維持友誼是因為他們需要對方。但由於俄羅斯與美國的關係,這種關係正在發生變化。

Vocabulary Learning

🧩 Contrast Words: 'But' and 'However'

In this story, we see two ways to show a difference or a surprise.

1. The Word 'But' We use 'but' in the middle of a sentence to connect two opposite ideas.

  • Example: China is rich, but North Korea is poor.
  • Pattern: [Idea A] \rightarrow but \rightarrow [Opposite Idea B]

2. The Word 'However' 'However' does the same job as 'but', but it is more formal. It often starts a new sentence to change the direction of the story.

  • Example: They have similar governments. However, China is now very rich.
  • Pattern: [Sentence 1]. \rightarrow However, [Sentence 2].

🛠 Word Tool: 'Want' vs 'Need'

These two words describe what a country feels in the text:

  • Want = A desire (Something they would like).
    • "China wants its area to be quiet."
  • Need = A necessity (Something they must have to survive).
    • "They need each other."

Vocabulary Learning

agreement (n.)
A promise or a decision made between two or more people or countries.
Example:The two countries signed an agreement to keep the peace.
recently (adv.)
A short time ago.
Example:I recently visited my grandmother in the city.
military (n.)
The armed forces of a country, such as the army and navy.
Example:The military protects the borders of the country.
fail (v.)
To be unsuccessful or to stop working.
Example:The company may fail if it does not make a profit.
weapons (n.)
Objects used for fighting or attacking, like guns or missiles.
Example:The soldiers carried their weapons into the forest.
relationship (n.)
The way in which two people or countries behave toward each other.
Example:The relationship between the two brothers is very strong.
Practice A2 words in a crossword