俄罗斯重新启动了对华先进武器销售，这是2004年以来的首次。
Russia has restarted sales of its advanced weapons to China for the first time since it virtually suspended all transactions.
2004年，因担心中国会复制俄技术，俄实际上暂停了一切对华武器交易。
In 2004, amid concerns that Beijing would copy Moscow’s technology.
日本政府官员担心，俄此次武器销售可能会令该地区微妙的安全局势变得动荡起来。
Japanese government officials fear that Russia’s move could destabilise the delicate security situation in the region.
中俄上周达成协议，中方将购买24架先进的苏-35 (Sukhoi Su-35)战斗机，其中4架将在新年到来之前交货。
China and Russia agreed this week that Beijing will buy 24 advanced Sukhoi Su-35 fighters, four of which will be delivered by new year.
根据这项价值20亿美元的协议，其余的飞机将在三年内交到中方手中。
The other aircraft, according to the $2bn deal, will be with China within three years.
俄还答应最早在2018年时向中方提供俄S-400防空导弹系统。
Russia has also agreed to deliver its S-400 anti-aircraft missile system as soon as 2018.
苏-35是一款先进的具有一定隐形能力的俄制战斗机，配备增强的航电系统，具备较远程的飞行能力。
The Su-35 is an advanced Russian stealth combat fighter, with enhanced avionics and a longer-range flight capability.
该机既可用于空中格斗，也可用于打击地面及海上目标。
It is capable of aerial combat and striking ground and maritime targets.
目前，亚洲还没有哪个国家在使用此类先进的战斗机。
No Asian nation is yet using such advanced fighters.
举例来说，日本的主流战斗机是美制第四代战斗机F-15。
Japan’s mainstay fighter, for example, is the fourth-generation US-made F-15.
日本打算在2024年以前再从美国购买42架先进的F-35战斗机。
Japan plans to buy 42 more sophisticated F-35 fighters from the US by 2024.
然而，一旦中国能够获得苏35，考虑到中国的军事预算约为日本的三倍，中期内中日两国间的军事平衡很可能会向中方倾斜。
Once Beijing has access to the Su-35, however, the military balance is likely to be in China’s favour in the medium term, given that Beijing’s military budget is about three times that of Tokyo.
中国的新型先进武器很可能会为其在东中国海和南中国海带来空中优势。
China’s new, advanced weapons are likely to give it air supremacy in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.
2013年，中国在东中国海划设了防空识别区(Adiz)。
In 2013 it imposed an air defence identification zone (Adiz) in the East China Sea
自那以来，中国一直要求所有飞经该识别区的飞机申报自己的身份。
and has since required that all aircraft identify themselves.
日美两国官员担心，中国下一步或将在南中国海划设防空识别区。
Officials in Japan and the US are concerned that the next move could be to impose an Adiz in the South China Sea.
苏-35将增强中国在这些空域的巡逻能力。
The Su-35s will enhance China’s ability to patrol these air spaces.
而俄中S-400军售交易对军事力量平衡的影响可能更加严重。
As for the S-400 sales deal, its implications for the balance of military power could be even more serious.
这种防空导弹系统的射程达400公里，可打击飞行高度最高达3.1万米的目标。
This anti-aircraft missile system has a 400km range and can hit targets flying as high as 31,000m.
按照S-400俄罗斯生产商的说法，该系统能够同时打击最多36个目标，不仅可以打击飞机，还可以拦截洲际导弹。
According to the Russian producer of the S-400, it is capable of hitting up to 36 targets simultaneously, not only aircraft but also intercontinental missiles.
中国已经拥有了S-300这一较早期的系统，该系统最远只能覆盖台湾岛的一部分。
China already owns the older S-300 system, which covers only as far as parts of Taiwan.
S-400系统则令中国可以打击台湾空域的任何目标，并可打击远至新德里的目标。
The S-400 will allow it to strike any target in Taiwanese airspace and reach targets as far away as New Delhi.
台湾海峡是一个潜在的引爆点。
The Taiwan Strait is a potential flashpoint
自1949年中国内战结束以来，北京方面一直主张对台湾拥有主权。
and Beijing has maintained its claim on Taiwan since the Chinese civil war ended in1949.
中国军力的迅速发展意味着，台湾海峡的均势已经向有利于北京的一方倾斜。
China’s rapid military development means the balance in the Taiwan Strait is already in its favour.
向中国出售S-400可能会令中国变得愈发强硬。
The risk is that the sale of the S-400 will make China more assertive.