樹袋熊，又稱考拉，是澳大利亞的國寶，也是澳大利亞奇特的珍貴原始樹棲動物。英文名Koala bear來源于古代土著文字，意思是“no drink”。2014年的二十國集團(G20)峰會，澳大利亞上演了一出獨特的“考拉外交”。

 

Australia arranged a warm and fuzzy welcome for the world's most powerful leaders at this weekend's G20 summit with a campaign dubbed "koala diplomacy", in which top politicians cuddled the shy native marsupials.

主辦二十國集團(G20)峰會的澳大利亞日前祭出一招“考拉外交”，安排了毛茸茸又害羞的考拉來歡迎世界各國領導人，讓他們在討論嚴肅議題前，先抱抱這些澳大利亞國寶。

Everyone from US President Barack Obama to China's first lady Peng Liyuan queued up to hold the koalas as the world's press snapped away.

從美國總統奧巴馬到中國第一夫人彭麗媛的每一個人都在排隊等待抱考拉成為了當下的世界新聞。

The koala, which is destined to be sent to Japan as a gift, munched contentedly on eucalyptus leaves but her handler said she was too tired to pose with reporters after photo sessions with Putin and Obama.

一只預定要送給日本作為禮物的考拉津津有味地嚼著桉樹葉，不過它的飼養員說，這只考拉在與普京和奧巴馬等領導人的拍照行程結束后，因為太疲勞而無法與記者拍照。

（中國日報網英語點津 黃恬恬）