Janet Yellen has stressed the importance of central bank independence in her first public remarks since Donald Trump’s election victory.

在自唐纳德.特朗普(Donald Trump)当选美国总统以来的首次公开讲话中，美联储(Fed)主席珍妮特.耶伦(Janet Yellen)强调了央行独立的重要性。

As new data showed the president-elect will inherit a strengthening economy.

目前新的数据显示，当选总统将继承一个日益强劲的经济。

The Federal Reserve chair told Congress yesterday that an increase in short-term interest rates could become appropriate relatively soon, raising expectations of a rise at the Fed’s next meeting in December.

耶伦昨日告诉美国国会，短期利率上调可能在相对不久后变得合适，这令外界预期美联储会在12月下次利率会议上加息。

New economic figures showed a surge in housing starts and a pick-up in inflation.

新的经济数据显示，房屋开工数量飙升，通胀上扬。

Ms Yellen said it was critically important that central banks have the freedom to make judgments about how best to pursue their goals.

耶伦表示，至关重要的是，央行应拥有就如何最好地实现其目标做出判断的自由。

Her remarks followed attacks during the election campaign by Mr Trump, who claimed the Fed had kept interest rates low to help the Obama administration.

在她发表上述讲话前，特朗普曾在竞选期间进行抨击，声称美联储将利率保持在低位是为了帮助奥巴马政府。

There is clear evidence of better ¬outcomes in countries where central banks can take the long view [and] are not subject to short-term political pressures, she said.

有明显的证据表明，那些央行可以持长远眼光（而且）不受短期政治压力影响的国家，会得到较好的结果，她表示。

Sometimes central banks need to do things that are not immediately popular for the health of the economy.

有时，央行需要为了经济健康做一些不会马上受欢迎的事情。

The Fed’s next meeting is on December 13-14, five weeks before Mr Trump’s inauguration.

美联储下次利率会议定于12月13日至14日举行，距离特朗普宣誓就职还有5周。

Economists said the fresh batch of data showing an improving economy increased the chances of it deciding to raise rates.

经济学家表示，显示经济走强的新数据提高了美联储决定加息的几率。

Ms Yellen said an increase could be justified if incoming data provide some further evidence of continued progress toward the committee’s objectives.

耶伦表示，如果最新数据提供了更多证据表明，在朝着委员会目标方面继续取得进展，那么加息就可能是合理的。