参考答案：
Switzerland is still the world's most competitive economy, but China and other emerging countries are gaining ground, according to a study published Wednesday by the World Economic Forum.
The WEF says Switzerland benefits from good infrastructure and financial markets, and transparent government.
原文：
最新全球竞争力排行 美国降至第五 (US Falls, China Gains in Competitive Economies List)
世界经济论坛星期三公布的《2011-2012全球竞争力报告》显示，瑞士仍然是世界最具竞争力的经济体，中国和其它新兴国家也在取得进步。
世界经济论坛说，瑞士得益于良好的基础设施和金融市场，以及透明的政府体制。
美国在排名中滑落至第五位，而中国的排名则小幅提升至第26位。世界经济论坛的报告说，在过去七年中，发达经济体在效益和繁荣的竞争中没有取得进步，而主要发展中经济体的竞争力却有所改善。
报告的作者说，美国经济的生产率很高，有优秀的大学、强大的创新能力和灵活的劳动力。但美国政府债务水平很高，而且公众对政界领导人的信任程度较低。
全球竞争力排名是根据公开的经济数据和对全球142个经济体的1万4000多名企业领袖的调查而得出。
Switzerland is still the world抯 most competitive economy, but China and other emerging countries are gaining ground, according to a study published Wednesday by the World Economic Forum.
The WEF says Switzerland benefits from good infrastructure and financial markets, and transparent government.
The United States fell to fifth place in the rankings, while China moved up slightly to 26th place. The WEF report says advanced economies have not grown stronger in the race for profit and prosperity for the past 7 years, while major emerging nations have made gains.
The report抯 authors say the U.S. economy is extremely productive, has good universities, strong innovation, and a flexible workforce. But they also note high levels of public debt and low levels of trust in political leaders.
The rankings are based on publicly available economic data along with a survey of more than 14,000 business leaders in 142 economies.
