We are determined to actively contribute to strengthening NPT mechanisms at the forefront of such intemational efforts. Could you explain “at the forefront of”?

My comments:

At the forefront means simply at the front, leading the way.

Fore means front, and so how can forefront mean different?

Fore as in the phrase "to the fore", meaning to the front. A golf term originally perhaps. When a player tees off (makes the opening shot), he steps forward to the playing area, leaving other players and spectators behind.

Hence the phrase "to the fore", metaphorically meaning that someone steps forward or they want to assert themselves.

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Go to Zhang Xin's column

本文僅代表作者本人觀點，與本網(wǎng)立場無關。歡迎大家討論學術問題，尊重他人，禁止人身攻擊和發(fā)布一切違反國家現(xiàn)行法律法規(guī)的內(nèi)容。

About the author:

Zhang Xin（張欣） has been with China Daily since 1988, when he graduated from Beijing Foreign Studies University. Write him at: zhangxin@chinadaily.com.cn, or raise a question for potential use in a future column.