How to Bridge the Divide Over the South China Sea

如何弥合南海问题上的分歧

Cui Tiankai, Chinese Ambassador to the U.S.

中国驻美国大使  崔天凯

June 1, 2016

2016年6月1日

The differences between China and the U.S. over the South China Sea issue have become a matter of concern and even anxiety. But some of the perceptions in the U.S. and elsewhere about China’s policy and intentions in the area are misplaced. A pressing task is to understand the facts and China’s intentions correctly so as to avoid real danger and consequences as a result of misinterpretation and miscalculation.

中美两国关于南海问题的分歧日益引发关切甚至焦虑。但在美国或世界其他地方，对中国在南海的举措和意图的一些认知是错误的。当前一项紧迫的任务是了解事实，正确解读中国意图，避免由于误读误判引发真正的危险和后果。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

The issues in the South China Sea revolve around territorial and maritime jurisdiction. China believes it is doing nothing more than maintaining and defending legitimate territorial claims and maritime rights. Reclamation and construction works have taken place on islands and reefs that have long been under China’s control, and many of the facilities are for civilian purposes and public good, such as navigation and rescue services, emergency relief, scientific research, and environmental protection. There are limited defense facilities, but they do not represent a “militarization” of the area. We believe that recent statements and military deployments by the U.S. have had the effect of escalating tension in the region and, if not curbed, risk the very militarization we all wish to avoid.

南海问题的实质是领土和海洋管辖权争议。中国所做的不过是维护和捍卫自身长期合法的领土主张和海洋权益。有关陆域吹填和建设活动是在中国长期管控的岛礁上进行，多数设施将用于民事和公益目的，例如，导航服务、紧急救助、科研与环保等。一些十分有限的防务设施谈不上“军事化”。我们认为，正是近来美方的一些言论和军事部署加剧了地区紧张。有关言行如得不到控制，将真正导致我们都希望避免的“军事化”。

Some people have called on China to abide by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and to agree to international arbitration, which was initiated by the Philippines. But these same people are denying China’s rights under the convention. Our view is that the convention does not cover sovereignty and territorial issues – yet the very subject of the arbitration is territorial sovereignty. China will therefore neither participate nor accept the arbitration, for we maintain that the tribunal has no jurisdiction in this realm. Besides, it is ironic that the U.S. seeks to use against us a United Nations convention that it itself has refused to ratify.

有人呼吁中国遵守《联合国海洋法公约》，并接受菲律宾提出的国际仲裁，但正是这些人试图否定中方根据《公约》享有的合法权利。《公约》并不适用于领土主权问题，而菲方所提仲裁案的核心事关领土主权。中方既不会参与、也不会接受仲裁，因为我们认为仲裁庭没有管辖权。具有讽刺意味的是，美试图以《公约》来指责中方，但迄今仍拒绝批准《公约》。

The concept of freedom of navigation is frequently used to justify actions by the U.S. in the South China Sea. This is an additional irony. The U.S. has used “freedom-of-navigation” operations to challenge the very concept as it was defined by the convention, believing treaty provisions would restrict its navy’s ability to move freely around the world.

“航行自由”概念经常被美方用作在南海采取行动的理由， 这同样是个讽刺。美开展“航行自由行动”正是为了挑战《公约》对航行自由的界定，美认为《公约》有关规定约束了美海军在全球的行动自由能力。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

Worst of all, China’s policy on the South China Sea has been grossly misperceived as a strategic move to challenge U.S. dominance in the Asia-Pacific region and the world. Some people even go so far as to raise the idea of a so-called Asian version of the Monroe Doctrine. However, China believes that the concept of sphere of influence is out-of-date in the 21st century. China consistently strives for regional cooperation, and we respect America’s traditional presence and legitimate interests in the Asia-Pacific region. The reality is not that China is trying to drive anyone out, but that there are attempts to deny China’s legitimate and expanding interests in its own region.

最糟的是，中国在南海的举措被严重误读，被视为挑战美在亚太乃至全球主导权的战略性行动。一些人甚至担心出现所谓的亚洲版“门罗主义”。但中方认为，“势力范围”说在21世纪已经过时。中国一贯致力于地区合作。我们尊重美国在亚太地区的传统存在和合法利益。事实并非中方想把任何人排挤出去，而是有些人试图否定中国在本地区合法和不断扩展的权益。

Indeed, China has long called for peaceful and direct negotiations directly with relevant claimant states to manage and eventually resolve the South China Sea disputes. This remains unchanged – just as we remain open to working to forge a code of conduct for the region with the 10 ASEAN countries.

中国一贯主张与有关争议国通过直接的和平谈判来管控乃至最终解决南海争议，这一立场没有改变。中方对与10个东盟成员国共同努力，制定南海行为准则也持开放态度。微博@高斋翻硕 公众号:高斋翻译学堂

China-U.S. relations are too important for us to allow them to be hijacked by the South China Sea issue. We may have major differences, but we also share important interests, including maintaining regional peace and stability, supporting freedom of navigation and overflight in accordance with international law, and resolving disputes through peaceful negotiations and diplomatic dialogue. The region should not become a competing ground for China and the U.S. In fact, we have significant potential for cooperation in this region and beyond. Witness our coast guards, which patrolled jointly to enforce the fishery rules in the western Pacific.

中美关系如此重要，我们不能允许其被南海问题所绑架。双方可能存在一些重大分歧，但也拥有重要的共同利益。双方均主张维护地区和平与稳定，支持根据国际法开展航行和飞越自由，支持通过和平谈判和外交对话解决争议。南海不应成为中美两国的博弈场。事实上，中美在本地区及世界其它地区合作潜力很大。中美两国海警曾在西太平洋开展联合渔业执法行动就是个例证。

The good news is that leaders in China and the United States have demonstrated the political will to manage our differences and keep them under control. We continue to talk. We on the Chinese side are ready to work in a constructive manner – and we are hopeful that the U.S. will demonstrate the same spirit.

当前，中美两国领导人均表明了妥处分歧、管控局势的政治意愿，这是好消息。中美双方正就此持续进行对话。中方愿展示建设性姿态，希望美方也能体现同样的精神。