崔天凱大使：如何彌合南海問題上的分歧

How to Bridge the Divide Over the South China Sea
如何彌合南海問題上的分歧

Cui Tiankai, Chinese Ambassador to the U.S.
中國駐美國大使 崔天凱

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.
中美兩國關於南海問題的分歧日益引發關切甚至焦慮。但在美國或世界其他地方，對中國在南海的舉措和意圖的一些認知是錯誤的。當前一項緊迫的任務是瞭解事實，正確解讀中國意圖，避免由於誤讀誤判引發真正的危險和後果。

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.
南海問題的實質是領土和海洋管轄權爭議。中國所做的不過是維護和捍衛自身長期合法的領土主張和海洋權益。有關陸域吹填和建設活動是在中國長期管控的島礁上進行，多數設施將用於民事和公益目的，例如，導航服務、緊急救助、科研與環保等。一些十分有限的防務設施談不上“軍事化”。我們認爲，正是近來美方的一些言論和軍事部署加劇了地區緊張。有關言行如得不到控制，將真正導致我們都希望避免的“軍事化”。

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.
有人呼籲中國遵守《聯合國海洋法公約》，並接受菲律賓提出的國際仲裁，但正是這些人試圖否定中方根據《公約》享有的合法權利。《公約》並不適用於領土主權問題，而菲方所提仲裁案的核心事關領土主權。中方既不會參與、也不會接受仲裁，因爲我們認爲仲裁庭沒有管轄權。具有諷刺意味的是，美試圖以《公約》來指責中方，但迄今仍拒絕批准《公約》。

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”概念經常被美方用作在南海採取行動的理由， 這同樣是個諷刺。美開展“航行自由行動”正是爲了挑戰《公約》對航行自由的界定，美認爲《公約》有關規定約束了美海軍在全球的行動自由能力。

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，中國在南海的舉措被嚴重誤讀，被視爲挑戰美在亞太乃至全球主導權的戰略性行動。一些人甚至擔心出現所謂的亞洲版“門羅主義”。但中方認爲，“勢力範圍”說在21世紀已經過時。中國一貫致力於地區合作。我們尊重美國在亞太地區的傳統存在和合法利益。事實並非中方想把任何人排擠出去，而是有些人試圖否定中國在本地區合法和不斷擴展的權益。

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.
中國一貫主張與有關爭議國通過直接的和平談判來管控乃至最終解決南海爭議，這一立場沒有改變。中方對與10個東盟成員國共同努力，制定南海行爲準則也持開放態度。

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.
中美關係如此重要，我們不能允許其被南海問題所綁架。雙方可能存在一些重大分歧，但也擁有重要的共同利益。雙方均主張維護地區和平與穩定，支持根據國際法開展航行和飛越自由，支持通過和平談判和外交對話解決爭議。南海不應成爲中美兩國的博弈場。事實上，中美在本地區及世界其它地區合作潛力很大。中美兩國海警曾在西太平洋開展聯合漁業執法行動就是個例證。

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.
當前，中美兩國領導人均表明了妥處分歧、管控局勢的政治意願，這是好消息。中美雙方正就此持續進行對話。中方願展示建設性姿態，希望美方也能體現同樣的精神。