刚才有些同事谈到南海问题，我愿谈几点看法：
Just now, some colleagues talked about the South China Sea. For me, I wish to say the following.

第一，中国是《联合国海洋法公约》的缔约国，一贯忠实履行《公约》。根据《公约》，缔约国拥有首先选择直接对话协商方式和平解决争端的权利。中方不接受、不参与仲裁等第三方解决程序，是在行使国际法也是《公约》赋予的权利。在场有的国家也采取过类似的立场。
First, China is a state party to UNCLOS and China implements the convention in good faith. According to UNCLOS, state parties have the right to primacy on peaceful settlement of disputes through direct dialogue and consultation. By not accepting and not participating in third-party settlement procedures like an arbitration, China is in fact exercising its right bestowed by international law including UNCLOS. The truth is, certain countries present here have also adopted similar positions.

第二，过去十多年南海地区保持和平稳定，基础是中国与东盟国家达成的《南海各方行为宣言》。《宣言》的制定基于并符合包括《公约》在内的国际法原则与精神，已经成为行之有效的地区规则。至于南海地区的航行和飞越自由，本来就不存在任何问题。按照《宣言》规定，南海有关争议应由直接当事方通过谈判协商和平解决。各方都应坚持这一规定，履行就此作出的承诺。单方面提起仲裁，引入第三方，违背了《宣言》。如果这个本地区最直接、最明确的规则不被遵守，问题会变得更加复杂，搅乱以规则为基础的地区秩序，损害本地区和平稳定。
Second, over the past decade or more, the Declaration on the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea agreed upon between China and ASEAN countries has served as a basis for peace and stability in the South China Sea. The DOC is formulated on the basis of and is in keeping with the principles and spirit of international law, UNCLOS included. It has become an effective norm for the region to act upon. Regarding the freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, there has been no problem whatsoever in the first place. According to the DOC, relevant disputes in the South China Sea shall be peacefully resolved by parties directly concerned through negotiation and consultation. All parties should follow this provision and honor their commitment made accordingly. Moves of unilaterally initiating arbitration and bringing in a third party constitute violations of the DOC. Non-observance of the most forthright and clear norms of the region will do nothing but further complicate the issue. It will disrupt the rules-based regional order and undermine peace and stability in the region.

第三，中方与东盟国家正在积极落实《南海各方行为宣言》，推进“南海行为准则”磋商，目的是为了更好地规范和处理南海问题，并在争议解决之前管控分歧、化解矛盾、推进合作。落实《宣言》是“准则”磋商的基础，为了有效推进“准则”磋商，必须落实和恪守《宣言》，这符合各方利益。
Third, China and ASEAN countries are actively implementing the DOC and advancing consultations on a Code of Conduct. The purpose is to properly regulate and manage the South China Sea issue, and to address disputes, resolve disagreements and advance cooperation pending final settlement of disputes. Implementation of the DOC provides the basis for COC consultations. To effectively advance COC consultations, the DOC must be implemented and adhered to in good faith. This serves the interests of all parties.

昨天，中国—东盟领导人会议发表的主席声明充分肯定了中国—东盟建立对话关系25年来取得的成就，并重申坚持通过《宣言》以及正在商谈的“准则”妥善处理分歧，维护南海稳定。会议还通过了“中国与东盟国家应对海上紧急事态外交高官热线平台指导方针”和“中国与东盟国家关于在南海适用《海上意外相遇规则》的联合声明”。这些都充分表明，中国和东盟已经找到了一条既体现国际法规则，又有效管用的办法，也表明中方和东盟国家完全有智慧、有能力处理好南海问题。域外国家应当理解支持地区国家所做的积极努力，而不是渲染分歧，扩大甚至制造矛盾。
The Chairman’s Statement issued at yesterday’s ASEAN Plus China Summit fully recognizes the achievements made over the past 25 years in China-ASEAN dialogue relations, and reiterates a commitment to properly handling disputes through the DOC and a COC now under consultation, in order to maintain stability in the South China Sea. The summit also adopted the Guidelines for Hotline Communications Among Senior Officials of the MFA of ASEAN Member States and China in Response to Maritime Emergencies and the Joint Statement on the Application of the CUEs in the South China Sea. All these fully demonstrate that China and ASEAN have found an effective way of dispute management that embodies the norms of international law. They also show that China and ASEAN countries have the wisdom and capability to properly handle the South China Sea issue. Countries from outside the region need to show understanding and support for the positive efforts made by countries in the region, and should not do things to play up the differences, or to expand or even trigger disputes.

中国始终从维护地区和平稳定大局出发，以建设性态度负责任地处理南海问题。中方愿与各方共同努力，将南海建设为造福地区各国人民的和平、合作、友谊之海。
China has acted in the larger interests of regional peace and stability and approached the South China Sea issue in a constructive and responsible manner. China stands ready to work with all parties concerned to make the South China Sea a sea of peace, cooperation and friendship for the benefit of people of all countries in the region.

各位同事，
Dear Colleagues,

东亚地区和平稳定与繁荣发展仍然面临巨大机遇。老挝有句谚语：一根木桩围不成篱笆，一村人不协力建不好村寨。中方愿同各方齐心协力，推动东亚合作稳步前进，为促进地区和平稳定与持久繁荣贡献力量，造福各国人民。
East Asia now faces huge opportunities for peace, stability, prosperity and development. As a saying in Laos goes, “One trunk does not make a fence. And a village will not be a good place without every villager working for it together.” I hope that parties will work together to promote steady progress of East Asian cooperation and contribute to peace, stability and enduring prosperity of the region, the benefit of people of all countries.

谢谢大家！
Thank you.