外交部边界与海洋事务司司长欧阳玉靖就中国南沙岛礁建设接受媒体采访（中英对照）

中文版：外交部边海司司长欧阳玉靖就中国南沙岛礁建设接受媒体采访.doc

英文版：An Interview on China’s Construction Activities on the Nansha Islands and Reefs.doc

就中国南沙岛礁建设的媒体采访

An Interview on China’s Construction Activities on the Nansha Islands and Reefs

 

2015年5月26日，中华人民共和国外交部边界与海洋事务司司长欧阳玉靖，就中国在南沙群岛部分进驻岛礁上的建设活动，接受了新华社和《中国日报》记者的书面采访。以下是采访全文：

 

On 26 May 2015, Mr. Ouyang Yujing, Director-General of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, received a written interview by journalists from Xinhua News Agency and China Daily on China’s construction activities on some garrisoned islands and reefs of the Nansha Islands. The full text of the interview is as follows:

 

1、中方为什么进行岛礁建设？目的是什么？是否如外界所说旨在加强南海的军事存在？

 

1. Why is China conducting construction activities on the Nansha islands and reefs? What are the purposes? Does China intend to increase military presence in the South China Sea as other parties have argued?

 

答：中国在南沙进行的岛礁建设主要是为了改善驻守人员的工作和生活条件，并更好地履行中方承担的相关国际责任和义务。需要强调的是，南沙群岛是中国领土，中国有权在相关岛礁上部署必要的军事防御设施。但岛礁上的功能更多地还是为各类民事需求服务。

 

China’s construction activities on the Nansha islands and reefs are aimed at first and foremost improving the working and living conditions for personnel stationed there and better fulfilling China’s relevant international responsibilities and obligations. It needs to be emphasized that the Nansha Islands is China’s territory, and China has every right to deploy on relevant islands and reefs necessary facilities for military defense. However, the facilities on relevant islands and reefs are primarily for civilian purposes.

 

中国坚持走和平发展道路，始终奉行防御性的国防政策，坚持与邻为善、以邻为伴的周边外交政策，是维护地区和平稳定的坚定力量。中国已与东盟国家签署《南海各方行为宣言》，并加入了《东南亚友好合作条约》，承诺通过与有关当事国的谈判或协商和平解决分歧或争端，不诉诸武力或以武力相威胁。在南海问题上，中方始终致力于同直接当事国在尊重历史事实和国际法的基础上，通过谈判协商解决有关争议，同时与东盟国家共同维护南海和平稳定。

 

China is committed to a path of peaceful development, a defense policy that is defensive in nature and a foreign policy of building friendship and partnership with her neighbors. Therefore, China is a staunch force for peace and stability in the region. China has signed with ASEAN countries the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), and undertaken to peacefully resolve differences or disputes with countries directly concerned through negotiation or consultation without resorting to the threat or use of force. On the South China Sea issue, China is always committed to resolving relevant disputes through negotiation and consultation with countries directly concerned on the basis of respect for historical facts and international law, and making joint efforts with ASEAN countries to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

 

2、中方将在岛礁上建设哪些民用和公益设施？将向地区和国际社会提供哪些服务？

 

2. What civil and public facilities will China develop on the islands and reefs? What services will be provided to the region and the international community?

 

答：南沙群岛海域远离大陆，航线密集，易发生海难事故。此次中方岛礁建设的一个重要目的就是履行在海上搜救、防灾减灾、海洋科研、气象观测、生态环境保护、航行安全、渔业生产等方面承担的国际责任与义务，为中国和周边国家以及航行于南海的各国船只提供必要服务。为此，需要建设包括机场、码头、通信、气象、航行安全和环境观测在内的相关设施。

 

The Nansha Islands is in a distant sea area with busy shipping routes and vulnerable to marine perils. One of the important purposes of China’s construction activities on the islands and reefs is to fulfill her relevant international responsibilities and obligations, such as maritime search and rescue, disaster prevention and mitigation, marine scientific research, meteorological observation, ecological environment preservation, safety of navigation and fishery production, and to provide necessary services to vessels from China, her neighbors and other countries sailing in the South China Sea. To that end, it is necessary to build runway, pier, telecommunication, meteorological, navigation safety, and environmental observation facilities, etc.

 

3、中方一直强调岛礁建设的民事和公益目的，请问有关设施将来是否向国际社会开放？

 

3. China has been emphasizing the civil and public nature of her construction activities. Will the facilities to be developed be open to the international community?

 

答：中国在南沙岛礁建设的一个主要目的就是更好地履行中方承担的相关国际责任和义务。中方愿在将来条件成熟时邀请有关国家和国际组织利用相关设施开展海上搜救等方面的合作。具体向国际社会开放哪些设施，中方将在有关工程建设完成后统筹规划。

 

The primary purpose of China’s construction activities on the Nansha islands and reefs is to better fulfill her relevant international responsibilities and obligations. When conditions are ripe, China will invite relevant countries and international organizations to use relevant facilities for cooperation in maritime search and rescue as well as in other areas. China will make overall plans about what facilities to be open to the international community based on comprehensive planning after the completion of development.

 

4、外界有种说法，中方岛礁建设是为了强化南海岛礁法律地位和“断续线”主张，你怎么认为？

 

4. Some believe that China’s construction activities on the islands and reefs are aimed to intensify the legal status of the Nansha Islands and the country’s claim on the dotted line. What is your comment?

 

答：中国在南海的主权和相关权利主张是在长期的历史过程中逐步形成的，并为历代中国政府所长期坚持，有充分的历史和法理依据，无需通过岛礁建设来强化。

 

China’s sovereignty and relevant claims of rights in the South China Sea have been formed in the long course of history and upheld by successive Chinese governments. This position has adequate historical and legal basis. There is no need to have it strengthened through construction activities on relevant islands and reefs.

 

5、中方岛礁建设是否会对南海生态环境造成破坏？中方采取了哪些减少对环境影响的措施？

 

5. Will China’s construction activities on the islands and reefs do harm to the ecological environment in the South China Sea? What steps has China taken to mitigate the impact on the environment?

 

答：南沙群岛是中国领土。中国比任何国家都更关心相关岛礁和海域的生态环境保护。需要指出的是，中方对岛礁的建设工程经过科学评估和论证，坚持建设和保护并重，充分考虑到了生态环境和渔业保护等问题，在施工过程中有严格的环保标准和要求，并采取了许多有力措施保护生态环境。今后，我们还将加强相关海域和岛礁的生态环境监测和保护工作。此外，中国作为《生物多样性公约》和《濒危野生动植物种国际贸易公约》等保护海洋环境公约的缔约国，会严格遵守公约规定，认真履行公约义务。

 

The Nansha Islands is China’s territory. No one cares more than China about the ecological preservation of relevant islands, reefs and sea areas. It needs to be pointed out that China’s relevant construction project has gone through science-based evaluation and assessment, with equal importance given to construction and protection. We have taken into full account issues of ecological preservation and fishery protection, followed strict environmental protection standards and requirements in the construction process, and adopted many effective measures to preserve the ecological environment. We will further step up our efforts of ecological monitoring and preservation on the relevant islands, reefs and waters. In addition, as a State Party to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), China will strictly observe provisions of the conventions and honor her obligations in good faith.

 

6、中方岛礁建设是否会影响南海航行和飞越自由，同时中方建设完成后会否以此划设“南海防空识别区”？

 

6. Will China’s construction activities on the islands and reefs affect freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea? Will China establish an Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the South China Sea once the construction activities are completed?

 

答：各国依据国际法在南海享有的航行与飞越自由从未因为南海有关争议受到影响。中方对南沙部分驻守岛礁进行相关建设和设施维护，有助于提高中方及国际社会在海上搜寻与救助、气象观测、航行安全等方面的能力，不仅不会减损各国在南海享有的航行自由，反而有利于共同应对海上挑战，为航行安全提供更多保障。

 

Freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea that countries enjoy in accordance with international law has never been affected because of the relevant disputes in the South China Sea. China’s construction and maintenance of facilities on some garrisoned islands and reefs of the Nansha Islands will help improve the capacity of China and the international community in maritime search and rescue, meteorological observation and safety of navigation. It will not undermine countries’ freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. On the contrary, it will facilitate joint response to challenges on the sea and provide more guarantee for safety of navigation.

 

中国拥有划设防空识别区的权利，这与领土和海洋权益争端没有任何关系。中方将来是否划设“南海防空识别区”取决于空中安全是否受到威胁和威胁程度及其他各方面因素。当前，南海局势总体稳定。中国同东盟国家正致力于全面有效落实《南海各方行为宣言》，维护南海的和平稳定。

 

China has the right to establish an ADIZ. This has nothing to do with territorial or maritime disputes. Whether China will set up an ADIZ in the South China Sea depends on whether and to what extent the security of airspace is threatened as well as other factors. Currently, the situation in the South China Sea is stable on the whole. China and ASEAN countries are committed to the full and effective implementation of the DOC in an effort to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

 

7、中方岛礁建设是否是为了应对菲律宾提起的南海仲裁案，并有针对性地影响仲裁庭仲裁？

 

7. Are China’s construction activities on the islands and reefs a response to the arbitration initiated by the Philippines concerning the South China Sea and to influence the proceedings by the arbitral tribunal?

 

答：中国对南沙群岛及其附近海域拥有无可争辩的主权，开展有关建设活动完全是中国主权范围内的事，与其他方面没有任何关系。中国不接受、不参与菲律宾所提南海仲裁案是中国政府的既定立场，并具有充分的国际法依据。

 

China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters. The construction activities there are within China’s sovereignty and have nothing to do with any other matters. China does not accept or participate in the arbitration initiated by the Philippines. This is the position of the Chinese government, fully supported by international law.

 

8、外界有种说法，中方岛礁建设违反了《南海各方行为宣言》的有关规定，是这样的吗？

 

8. Some say China’s construction activities on the islands and reefs contravene the DOC. Is this the case?

 

答：中方一向致力于全面有效落实《南海各方行为宣言》，尊重并遵守《宣言》原则、精神和规定。中国在南沙群岛有关岛礁上的建设活动合法、合理，不违反《宣言》。

 

China is committed to the full and effective implementation of the DOC and respects and abides by the principle, spirit and provisions of the DOC. China’s construction activities on relevant islands and reefs in Nansha are lawful and justified, and do not run counter to the DOC.

 

需要指出的是，《宣言》不仅适用于中国，也同样适用于东盟有关国家。个别国家无视《宣言》，不断采取侵权挑衅行动，阻挠各方在《宣言》框架下开展务实合作，单方面提起仲裁，极力推动南海争议复杂化、扩大化，威胁南海和平稳定。中方呼吁有关各方与中方相向而行，全面有效落实《宣言》，坚持通过“双轨”思路妥善处理南海问题，管控分歧，促进共同开发和海上务实合作，为维护地区和平稳定、推动中国—东盟关系健康发展做出应有努力。

 

It must be pointed out that the DOC applies to China as much as to ASEAN countries concerned. A certain country, in disregard of the DOC, has been acting provocatively to infringe on China’s rights and interests and obstruct practical cooperation within the framework of the DOC. Its unilateral initiation of arbitration complicates and escalates the disputes in the South China Sea and jeopardizes peace and stability in the South China Sea. China calls on parties concerned to work with the Chinese side to ensure the full and effective implementation of the DOC and stay committed to the “dual track approach” to properly handle the South China Sea issue and manage the differences, so as to promote joint development and practical maritime cooperation and contribute to peace and stability of the region and to sound growth of China-ASEAN relations.

 

9、中方一直强调自己的岛礁建设“合法、合理、合情”，为什么对南海有关国家的岛礁建设进行指责呢？

 

9. China has been stressing that her construction activities on the islands and reefs are lawful, reasonable and justified. But why does China criticize other countries for their construction activities on the islands and reefs?

 

答：南沙群岛自古以来就是中国领土。中方在自己的岛礁上开展建设活动完全是中国主权范围内的事，合法、合理、合情，无可指摘。菲律宾等个别国家自上世纪70年代以来，非法侵占了中国南沙群岛部分岛礁并长期在相关岛礁上大兴土木，严重侵犯了中国领土主权，违反了《联合国宪章》和国际关系基本准则，中方对此坚决反对。二者是性质完全不同的两个问题。中方敦促菲律宾等国立即从非法侵占的中国南沙岛礁上撤走所有人员和设施，立即停止一切侵犯中国领土主权和权益的活动。

 

The Nansha Islands has been an inseparable part of China’s territory since ancient times. It is within China’s sovereignty to conduct construction activities on her own islands and reefs, which are lawful, reasonable, justified and beyond reproach. Since the 1970s, the Philippines and some other countries have illegally occupied and then engaged in massive construction on some islands and reefs of China’s Nansha islands. It has seriously violated China’s territorial sovereignty, the Charter of the United Nations and the basic norms governing international relations. China is firmly against such moves. The construction activities by China and those by these countries are totally different in nature. China urges the Philippines and other countries to immediately withdraw their personnel and facilities from the islands and reefs they have illegally occupied, and immediately stop all activities that undermine China’s territorial sovereignty and her legitimate rights and interests.

 

10、一些国家称，中方岛礁建设的速度和规模远超南海其他国家，你怎么看？

 

10. Some countries say China’s construction activities outpace and outsize those by other countries in the South China Sea. What is your response?

 

答：中国作为大国，承担着更多的国际责任和义务。中方建设活动的规模、速度与在南海承担的海上搜救、防灾减灾、气象观测、生态环境保护、航行安全、渔业生产服务等方面的国际责任和义务相称，是基于实际需要，是为向中国、周边国家以及航行于南海的各国船只提供更好的服务。

 

China is a big country that shoulders more international responsibilities and obligations. China is conducting construction activities at a pace and with a scale as befitted her international responsibilities and obligations in the field of search and rescue, disaster prevention and mitigation, meteorological observation, ecological conservation, navigation safety and fishery services. These activities are designed to serve practical needs and provide better services to the ships of China, her neighbors and other countries whose ships and boats pass through the South China Sea.

 

11、中方进行岛礁建设，意味着中方改变了南海政策吗？

 

11. Do China’s construction activities on the islands and reefs signal a shift in her policy regarding the South China Sea?

 

答：维护周边和平稳定是中国的既定战略。中国最不愿看到南海生乱，更不会主动制造混乱。中方在维护领土主权和海洋权益的同时，将坚持维护南海和平稳定这一基本政策出发点，坚持将谈判协商作为解决南海问题的根本途径，坚持将包括全面有效落实《南海各方行为宣言》、推动制订“南海行为准则”在内的机制规则建设作为管控有关争议的有效手段，坚持将推进共同开发与海上合作作为争议最终解决前的共赢安排。中方在南海问题上的这一政策，不会也不可能改变。

 

It is China’s consistent strategy to uphold peace and stability in her neighborhood. China is the last country that wants to see chaos in the South China Sea. Still less will China do anything to stir up troubles. While working to maintain her territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, China will stay committed to the basic policy of upholding peace and stability in the South China Sea and the fundamental solution to the South China Sea issue through negotiation and consultation. China seeks to effectively manage differences by fully and effectively implementing the DOC and formulating a Code of Conduct (COC) and other institutions and rules. Pending the final solution, China will pursue the win-win approach of joint development and maritime cooperation. Such is China’s policy on the South China Sea issue, a policy that shall not and will not change.