VOA慢速英語：利用區(qū)塊鏈技術對抗東南亞腐敗

Blockchain to Fight Corruption in Southeast Asia

利用區(qū)塊鏈技術對抗東南亞腐敗

What if you could wave your phone over a piece of fish at a store and immediately see a record of its path through the supply chain?

如果你在商店里把手機在一塊魚肉上面晃一下，就能立即看到它在供應鏈上的路徑記錄，結(jié)果會如何呢?

This may soon be possible. Current experiments are testing technology that can show how the fish was caught, when it was shipped and how it was processed at a factory.

這可能很快就會實現(xiàn)。目前有些試驗正在測試可以顯示魚是如何捕獲、何時運輸以及在工廠如何加工的技術。

This technology, called Blockchain, is being tested for its potential to bring light to secretive industries in Southeast Asia.

這種被稱之為區(qū)塊鏈的技術正在測試它為東南亞隱秘行業(yè)帶來光明的潛力。

Same technology, new uses

老技術，新用途

Blockchain was first developed to confirm dealings in bitcoin, a digital money. In that case, the technology creates a public financial record.

區(qū)塊鏈最早被開發(fā)用于確認比特幣交易。在該案例中，這種技術會創(chuàng)建一條公共財物記錄。

In Southeast Asia important records, including those of identity information and property ownership, are often not carefully kept.

在東南亞，包括身份信息和財產(chǎn)所有權在內(nèi)的重要信息經(jīng)常沒有得到妥善記錄。

Erin Murphy is the founder and leader of Inle Advisory Group, a business advisory company working in Myanmar and other countries with developing markets. She said Blockchain technology helps make business operations in such countries safer and easier.

艾琳·墨菲(Erin Murphy)是茵萊顧問集團的創(chuàng)始人和領導者，這是一家在緬甸和其它發(fā)展中國家運營的商業(yè)顧問公司。她說，區(qū)塊鏈技術有助于使這些國家的商業(yè)運作更加安全和方便。

"Ideally, we would want to see adoption of Blockchain at an official level all across the region. But perhaps not surprisingly, the governments that are leading Blockchain adoption are those that are already low-corruption," she told VOA.

她對美國之音表示：“理想情況下，我們希望這個區(qū)域在官方層面采用區(qū)塊鏈技術。但是也許不足為奇的是，在采用區(qū)塊鏈方面處于領先的是那些低腐敗的政府。”

In some countries like Singapore, Murphy said Blockchain is being used to improve customer service processes. However in other countries, like the Philippines, Blockchain helps citizens safely send money home from foreign countries.

墨菲表示，在新加坡等國家，區(qū)塊鏈開始被用于改善客戶服務流程。然而在菲律賓等國家，區(qū)塊鏈幫助公民安全地把錢從國外寄回國。

Murphy said the technology will help development, lower poverty, and increase foreign investment.

墨菲表示，這種技術有助于發(fā)展、減少貧困以及增加外國投資。

Observing the flow

觀察流向

Right now, there are many programs in Southeast Asia experimenting with Blockchain technology.

目前東南亞有很多試驗區(qū)塊鏈技術導彈項目。

In June, the United Nations presented a Blockchain-based system built in partnership with the technology company Microsoft and professional services company Accenture. The system gives stateless refugees a permanent identity record based on biometric data.

今年6月，聯(lián)合國與科技公司微軟以及專業(yè)服務公司埃森哲合作，推出了一種基于區(qū)塊鏈的系統(tǒng)。該系統(tǒng)根據(jù)生物特征數(shù)據(jù)為無國籍難民提供永久身份記錄。

The technology is also being explored in connection with efforts to improve voting system security.

這種技術還被用于提高投票系統(tǒng)安全性相關措施的探索。

A Blockchain based app developed to observe the supply chain of fish from Indonesia is now being used with other industries, including clothing.

一種基于區(qū)塊鏈開發(fā)出來用于監(jiān)視印尼魚類供應鏈的應用程序目前被用于包括服裝在內(nèi)的其它行業(yè)。

Results from a pilot project can be found on the internet. Viewers can observe the movement of a piece of clothing from an alpaca farm in Dulverton, Britain, through every step of production to its final stop at a shop in London.

互聯(lián)網(wǎng)上也可以找到一個試點項目的結(jié)果。觀察者可以監(jiān)視來自英國達爾弗頓一家羊駝農(nóng)場的一塊布的流動，從它的每一步生產(chǎn)到它的最后一站，也就是倫敦市一家商店。

Alisa DiCaprio is the head of research at R3, a banking software company that uses technology similar to Blockchain. She said getting the technology and being able to use it are separate issues.

艾莉莎·迪卡普里奧(Alisa DiCaprio)是R3的研究負責人，這是一家采用類似區(qū)塊鏈技術的銀行軟件公司。她說，獲得這種技術和能夠利用它是兩個不同的問題。

Most countries have engineers who can rightly code the technology, she said. However, they do not always understand how to make it work for businesses and industries.

她說，大多數(shù)國家的工程師都能正確編碼這種技術。然而，他們并非總是懂得如何讓它應用于各個企業(yè)和行業(yè)。

DiCaprio predicts it will take about five years before we actually see Blockchain used widely. She said she believes the most important effects of the technology will be seen on a macro-economic level.

迪卡普里奧預測大約需要5年時間我們才能看到區(qū)塊鏈的廣泛應用。她說，她相信這種技術最重要的影響將在宏觀經(jīng)濟層面上被看到。

Division in the community

社區(qū)分歧

However, the Blockchain community is divided on how the technology should be used.

然而，區(qū)塊鏈社區(qū)對應該如何利用這種技術存在分歧。

Some see Blockchain as a tool that can interfere with a global financial system they believe is corrupt.

有些人將區(qū)塊鏈視為可以影響全球金融體系的工具，他們認為全球金融體系是腐敗的。

"There is a serious opportunity for us here to remove money out of government," said a Southeast Asia based bitcoin trader.

南亞一位比特幣交易商表示：“我們這里會有很大機會把錢從政府轉(zhuǎn)走。”

He said billions of people who are unable to use an official banking system will be able to move money with just a phone.

他說，數(shù)十億無法使用官方銀行體系的人們將能夠僅僅使用一部手機就把錢轉(zhuǎn)走。

Another group wants to see Blockchain technology used by states, such as Canada, Singapore, China and Germany. All of these countries are exploring or experimenting with digital money using Blockchain.

另一家組織希望看到加拿大、新加坡、中國和德國等國家采用區(qū)塊鏈技術。這些國家都在探索或試驗采用區(qū)塊鏈技術的數(shù)字貨幣。

Michael Hsieh is with the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University. He suggested that Blockchain creates a threat for governments only if they ignore the technology. Countries that use it to establish safe and honest systems for money exchange will appeal to business and investment interests, he said.

麥克謝就職于斯坦福大學國際安全與合作中心。他提出，區(qū)塊鏈只有在政府忽視這種技術的情況下才會對政府造成威脅。他說，利用這種技術建立安全誠信貨幣兌換系統(tǒng)的國家將會吸引企業(yè)和投資興趣。

I'm Phil Dierking.

菲爾·德爾金報道。

What if you could wave your phone over a piece of fish at a store and immediately see a record of its path through the supply chain?

This may soon be possible. Current experiments are testing technology that can show how the fish was caught, when it was shipped and how it was processed at a factory.

This technology, called Blockchain, is being tested for its potential to bring light to secretive industries in Southeast Asia.

Same technology, new uses

Blockchain was first developed to confirm dealings in bitcoin, a digital money. In that case, the technology creates a public financial record.

In Southeast Asia important records, including those of identity information and property ownership, are often not carefully kept.

Erin Murphy is the founder and leader of Inle Advisory Group, a business advisory company working in Myanmar and other countries with developing markets. She said Blockchain technology helps make business operations in such countries safer and easier.

"Ideally, we would want to see adoption of Blockchain at an official level all across the region. But perhaps not surprisingly, the governments that are leading Blockchain adoption are those that are already low-corruption," she told VOA.

In some countries like Singapore, Murphy said Blockchain is being used to improve customer service processes. However in other countries, like the Philippines, Blockchain helps citizens safely send money home from foreign countries.

Murphy said the technology will help development, lower poverty, and increase foreign investment.

?Observing the flow

Right now, there are many programs in Southeast Asia experimenting with Blockchain technology.

In June, the United Nations presented a Blockchain-based system built in partnership with the technology company Microsoft and professional services company Accenture. The system gives stateless refugees a permanent identity record based on biometric data.

The technology is also being explored in connection with efforts to improve voting system security.

A Blockchain based app developed to observe the supply chain of fish from Indonesia is now being used with other industries, including clothing.

Results from a pilot project can be found on the internet. Viewers can observe the movement of a piece of clothing from an alpaca farm in Dulverton, Britain, through every step of production to its final stop at a shop in London.

Alisa DiCaprio is the head of research at R3, a banking software company that uses technology similar to Blockchain. She said getting the technology and being able to use it are separate issues.

Most countries have engineers who can rightly code the technology, she said. However, they do not always understand how to make it work for businesses and industries.

DiCaprio predicts it will take about five years before we actually see Blockchain used widely. She said she believes the most important effects of the technology will be seen on a macro-economic level.

Division in the community

However, the Blockchain community is divided on how the technology should be used.

Some see Blockchain as a tool that can interfere with a global financial system they believe is corrupt.

"There is a serious opportunity for us here to remove money out of government," said a Southeast Asia based bitcoin trader.

He said billions of people who are unable to use an official banking system will be able to move money with just a phone.

Another group wants to see Blockchain technology used by states, such as Canada, Singapore, China and Germany. All of these countries are exploring or experimenting with digital money using Blockchain.

Michael Hsieh is with the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University. He suggested that Blockchain creates a threat for governments only if they ignore the technology. Countries that use it to establish safe and honest systems for money exchange will appeal to business and investment interests, he said.

I’m Phil Dierking.

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Words in This Story

code - v. to change information into a set of letters, numbers, or symbols that can be read by a computer?.

customer - n. someone who buys goods or services from a business?.

potential - n. a chance or possibility that something will happen or exist in the future.

biometric data - n. computer information including samples, models, fingerprints, similarity scores and all verification of a person excluding the individual's name and demographics.?

macro - adj. large

supply chain - n. the sequence of processes involved in the production and distribution of a commodity.?

transaction - n. an occurrence in which goods, services, or money are passed from one person, account, etc., to another?.