It is just for these reasons that the trip is well-timed. It has already prompted a raft of new initiatives on the eve of his arrival. But for reform to continue, Mr Thein Sein needs to show the old guard concrete results. Many still exercise influence in parliament and the government. There is frustration that the US has suspended rather than lifted sanctions. The first visit by a sitting US president is a very public signal that support will be forthcoming if the pace is kept up.

正是因为这些原因，奥巴马此行的时机恰到好处。在奥巴马抵达缅甸之前，缅甸政府已拿出了一系列新举措。但要继续推进改革，登盛必须让保守派看到实实在在的成果。如今在缅甸议会和政府中，仍有许多保守派在发挥影响。美国只是暂停了制裁，而没有取消制裁，这令缅甸的一些人感到失望。而头一次有一位美国现任总统来访，这是个非常公开的信号，暗示假如改革保持现有节奏，美国会提供更多支持。

Washington’s act is not selfless. Mr Obama’s six-hour visit is one stop on an Asian tour designed to promote the US as a counterbalance to China’s rising influence in the region. US companies are eager to seize opportunities presented by Myanmar’s rich natural resources.

华盛顿的举动并非没有私心。奥巴马对缅甸为时6小时的访问，是其亚洲之行的一部分。奥巴马此次访问亚洲，目的是传达这样一个信息：面对中国在亚洲影响力的日益扩大，美国可以成为一种制衡的力量。美国企业也急欲得到缅甸丰富的自然资源所带来的机会。

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