V. China’s Policy on the South China Sea Issue

五、中国处理南海问题的政策

121. China is an important force for maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea. It abides by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and is committed to upholding and promoting international rule of law. It respects and acts in accordance with international law. While firmly safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, China adheres to the position of settling disputes through negotiation and consultation and managing differences through rules and mechanisms. China endeavors to achieve win-win outcomes through mutually beneficial cooperation, and is committed to making the South China Sea a sea of peace, cooperation and friendship.

121. 中国是维护南海和平稳定的重要力量。中国一贯遵守《宪章》的宗旨和原则，坚定维护和促进国际法治，尊重和践行国际法，在坚定维护中国在南海的领土主权和海洋权益的同时，坚持通过谈判协商解决争议，坚持通过规则机制管控分歧，坚持通过互利合作实现共赢，致力于把南海建设成和平之海、友谊之海和合作之海。

122. China is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea with other countries in the region and upholding the freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea enjoyed by other countries under international law. China urges countries outside this region to respect the efforts in this regard by countries in the region and to play a constructive role in maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea.

122. 中国坚持与地区国家共同维护南海和平稳定，坚定维护各国依据国际法在南海享有的航行和飞越自由，积极倡导域外国家尊重地区国家的努力，在维护南海和平稳定问题上发挥建设性作用。

i. On the territorial issues concerning Nansha Qundao

（一）关于南沙群岛领土问题

123. China is firm in upholding its sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao and their surrounding waters. Some countries have made illegal territorial claims over and occupied by force some islands and reefs of Nansha Qundao. These illegal claims and occupation constitute gross violations of the Charter of the United Nations and basic norms governing international relations. They are null and void. China consistently and resolutely opposes such actions and demands that relevant states stop their violation of China’s territory.

123. 中国坚定地维护对南海诸岛及其附近海域的主权。部分国家对南沙群岛部分岛礁提出非法领土主张并实施武力侵占，严重违反《宪章》和国际关系基本准则，是非法的、无效的。对此，中国坚决反对，并要求有关国家停止对中国领土的侵犯。

124. China has spared no efforts to settle, on the basis of respecting historical facts, relevant disputes with the Philippines and other countries directly concerned, through negotiation in accordance with international law.

124. 中国始终致力于与包括菲律宾在内的直接有关的当事国在尊重历史事实的基础上，根据国际法，通过谈判解决有关争议。

125. It is universally recognized that land territorial issues are not regulated by UNCLOS. Thus, the territorial issue in Nansha Qundao is not subject to UNCLOS.

125. 众所周知，陆地领土问题不属于《公约》调整的事项。因此，南沙群岛领土问题不适用《公约》。

ii. On maritime delimitation in the South China Sea

（二）关于南海海洋划界问题

126. China maintains that the issue of maritime delimitation in the South China Sea should be settled equitably through negotiation with countries directly concerned in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS. Pending the final settlement of this issue, all relevant parties must exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that may complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability.

126. 中国主张，同直接有关的当事国依据包括《公约》在内的国际法，通过谈判公平解决南海海洋划界问题。在划界问题最终解决前，各方应保持自我克制，不采取使争议复杂化、扩大化和影响和平与稳定的行动。

127. When ratifying UNCLOS in 1996, China stated that, “The People’s Republic of China will effect, through consultations, the delimitation of the boundary of the maritime jurisdiction with the States with coasts opposite or adjacent to China respectively on the basis of international law and in accordance with the principle of equitability.” China’s positions in this regard are further elaborated in the 1998 Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Exclusive Economic Zone and the Continental Shelf. This Law provides that, “The People’s Republic of China shall determine the delimitation of its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in respect of the overlapping claims by agreement with the states with opposite or adjacent coasts, in accordance with the principle of equitability and on the basis of international law”, and that, “The provisions in this law shall not affect the historical rights that the People’s Republic of China has been enjoying ever since the days of the past”.

127. 1996年，中国在批准《公约》时声明：“中华人民共和国将与海岸相向或相邻的国家，通过协商，在国际法基础上，按照公平原则划定各自海洋管辖权界限。”1998年，《中华人民共和国专属经济区和大陆架法》进一步明确中国同海洋邻国之间解决海洋划界问题的原则立场，即“中华人民共和国与海岸相邻或者相向国家关于专属经济区和大陆架的主张重叠的，在国际法的基础上按照公平原则以协议划定界限”，“本法的规定不影响中华人民共和国享有的历史性权利”。

128. China does not accept any unilateral action attempting to enforce maritime claims against China. Nor does China recognize any action that may jeopardize its maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea.

128. 中国不接受任何企图通过单方面行动把海洋管辖权强加于中国的做法，也不认可任何有损于中国在南海海洋权益的行动。

iii. On the ways and means of dispute settlement

（三）关于争端解决方式

129. Based on an in-depth understanding of international practice and its own rich practice, China firmly believes that no matter what mechanism or means is chosen for settling disputes between any countries, the consent of states concerned should be the basis of that choice, and the will of sovereign states should not be violated.

129. 基于对国际实践的深刻认识和中国自身丰富的国家实践，中国坚信，要解决任何国家间争议，无论选择哪种机制和方式，都不能违背主权国家的意志，应以国家同意为基础。

130. On issues concerning territory and maritime delimitation, China does not accept any means of dispute settlement imposed on it, nor does it accept any recourse to third-party settlement. On 25 August 2006, China deposited, pursuant to Article 298 of UNCLOS, with the Secretary-General of the United Nations a declaration, stating that, “The Government of the People’s Republic of China does not accept any of the procedures provided for in Section 2 of Part XV of the Convention with respect to all the categories of disputes referred to in paragraph 1 (a), (b) and (c) of Article 298 of the Convention”. This explicitly excludes from UNCLOS compulsory dispute settlement procedures disputes concerning maritime delimitation, historic bays or titles, military and law enforcement activities, and disputes in respect of which the Security Council of the United Nations is exercising the functions assigned to it by the Charter of the United Nations.

130. 在领土和海洋划界问题上，中国不接受任何强加于中国的争端解决方案，不接受任何诉诸第三方的争端解决方式。2006年8月25日，中国根据《公约》第298条的规定向联合国秘书长提交声明，称“关于《公约》第二百九十八条第1款（a）、（b）、（c）项所述的任何争端，中华人民共和国政府不接受《公约》第十五部分第二节规定的任何程序”，明确将涉及海洋划界、历史性海湾或所有权、军事和执法活动，以及联合国安全理事会执行《宪章》所赋予的职务等争端排除在《公约》强制争端解决程序之外。

131. Since its founding, the People’s Republic of China has signed boundary treaties with 12 of its 14 land neighbors through bilateral negotiations and consultations in a spirit of equality and mutual understanding, and about 90% of China’s land boundaries have been delimited and demarcated. China and Vietnam have delimited through negotiations the boundary between their territorial seas, exclusive economic zones and continental shelves in the Beibu Bay. China’s sincerity in settling disputes through negotiation and its unremitting efforts made in this respect are known to all. It is self-evident that negotiation directly reflects the will of states. The parties directly participate in the formulation of the result. Practice demonstrates that a negotiated outcome will better gain the understanding and support of the people of countries concerned, will be effectively implemented and will be durable. Only when an agreement is reached by parties concerned through negotiation on an equal footing can a dispute be settled once and for all, and this will ensure the full and effective implementation of the agreement.

131. 中华人民共和国成立以来，已与14个陆地邻国中的12个国家，本着平等协商、相互谅解的精神，通过双边谈判，签订了边界条约，划定和勘定的边界约占中国陆地边界长度的90%。中国与越南已通过谈判划定了两国在北部湾的领海、专属经济区和大陆架界限。中国对通过谈判解决争议的诚意和不懈努力是有目共睹的。不言而喻，谈判是国家意志的直接体现。谈判当事方直接参与形成最终结果。实践表明，谈判取得的成果更容易获得当事国人民的理解和支持，能够得到有效实施，并具有持久生命力。只有当事方通过平等谈判达成协议，有关争议才能获得根本长久解决，有关协议才能得到全面有效贯彻实施。

iv. On managing differences and engaging in practical maritime cooperation in the South China Sea

（四）关于在南海管控分歧和开展海上务实合作

132. In keeping with international law and practice, pending final settlement of maritime disputes, the states concerned should exercise restraint and make every effort to enter into provisional arrangements of a practical nature, including establishing and improving dispute management rules and mechanisms, engaging in cooperation in various sectors, and promoting joint development while shelving differences, so as to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea region and create conditions for the final settlement of disputes. Relevant cooperation and joint development are without prejudice to the final delimitation.

132. 根据国际法和国际实践，在海洋争议最终解决前，当事国应保持克制，尽一切努力作出实际性的临时安排，包括建立和完善争议管控规则和机制，开展各领域合作，推动“搁置争议，共同开发”，维护南海地区的和平稳定，为最终解决争议创造条件。有关合作和共同开发不妨害最后界限的划定。

133. China works actively to promote the establishment of bilateral maritime consultation mechanisms with relevant states, explores joint development in areas such as fishery, oil and gas, and champions the active exploration by relevant countries in establishing a cooperation mechanism among the South China Sea coastal states in accordance with relevant provisions of UNCLOS.

133. 中国积极推动与有关国家建立双边海上磋商机制，探讨在渔业、油气等领域的共同开发，倡议有关各国积极探讨根据《公约》有关规定，建立南海沿岸国合作机制。

134. China is always dedicated to working with ASEAN Member States to fully and effectively implement the DOC and actively promote practical maritime cooperation. Together the Parties have already achieved “Early Harvest Measures”, including the “Hotline Platform on Search and Rescue among China and ASEAN Member States”, the “Senior Officials’ Hotline Platform in Response to Maritime Emergencies among Ministries of Foreign Affairs of China and ASEAN Member States”, as well as the “Table-top Exercise of Search and Rescue among China and ASEAN Member States”.

134. 中国始终致力于与东盟国家一道全面有效落实《宣言》，积极推动海上务实合作，已取得了包括建立“中国－东盟国家海上联合搜救热线平台”、“中国－东盟国家应对海上紧急事态外交高官热线平台”以及“中国－东盟国家海上联合搜救沙盘推演”等“早期收获”成果。

135. China consistently maintains that the Parties should push forward consultations on a “Code of Conduct” (COC) under the framework of full and effective implementation of the DOC, with a view to achieving an early conclusion on the basis of consensus. In order to properly manage risks at sea, pending the final conclusion of a COC, China proposed the adoption of “Preventive Measures to Manage Risks at Sea”. This proposal has been unanimously accepted by all ASEAN Member States.

135. 中国始终坚持倡导各方在全面有效落实《宣言》框架下，积极推进“南海行为准则”磋商，争取在协商一致基础上早日达成“准则”。为在“准则”最终达成前妥善管控海上风险，中国提议探讨制定“海上风险管控预防性措施”，并获得东盟国家一致认同。

v. On freedom and safety of navigation in the South China Sea

（五）关于南海航行自由和安全

136. China is committed to upholding the freedom of navigation and overflight enjoyed by all states under international law, and ensuring the safety of sea lanes of communication.

136. 中国一贯致力于维护各国根据国际法所享有的航行和飞越自由，维护海上通道的安全。

137. The South China Sea is home to a number of important sea lanes, which are among the main navigation routes for China’s foreign trade and energy import. Ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight and safety of sea lanes in the South China Sea is crucial to China. Over the years, China has worked with ASEAN Member States to ensure unimpeded access to and safety of the sea lanes in the South China Sea and made important contribution to this collective endeavor. The freedom of navigation and overflight enjoyed by all states in the South China Sea under international law has never been a problem.

137. 南海拥有众多重要的航行通道，有关航道也是中国对外贸易和能源进口的主要通道之一，保障南海航行和飞越自由，维护南海海上通道的安全对中国十分重要。长期以来，中国致力于和东盟国家共同保障南海航道的畅通和安全，并作出重大贡献。各国在南海依据国际法享有的航行和飞越自由不存在任何问题。

138. China has actively provided international public goods and made every effort to provide services, such as navigation and navigational aids, search and rescue, as well as sea conditions and meteorological forecast, through capacity building in various areas, so as to uphold and promote the safety of sea lanes in the South China Sea.

138. 中国积极提供国际公共产品，通过各项能力建设，努力向国际社会提供包括导航助航、搜寻救助、海况和气象预报等方面的服务，以保障和促进南海海上航行通道的安全。

139. China maintains that, when exercising freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, relevant parties shall fully respect the sovereignty and security interests of coastal states and abide by the laws and regulations enacted by coastal states in accordance with UNCLOS and other rules of international law.

139. 中国主张，有关各方在南海行使航行和飞越自由时，应充分尊重沿岸国的主权和安全利益，并遵守沿岸国按照《公约》规定和其他国际法规则制定的法律和规章。

vi. On jointly upholding peace and stability in the South China Sea

（六）关于共同维护南海和平稳定

140. China maintains that peace and stability in the South China Sea should be jointly upheld by China and ASEAN Member States.

140. 中国主张，南海和平稳定应由中国和东盟国家共同维护。

141. China pursues peaceful development and adheres to a defense policy that is defensive in nature. China champions a new security vision featuring mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and coordination, and pursues a foreign policy of building friendship and partnership with its neighbors and of fostering an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood based on the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. China is a staunch force for upholding peace and stability and advancing cooperation and development in the South China Sea. China is committed to strengthening good-neighborliness and promoting practical cooperation with its neighbors and regional organizations including ASEAN to deliver mutual benefit.

141. 中国坚持走和平发展道路，坚持防御性的国防政策，坚持互信、互利、平等、协作的新安全观，坚持与邻为善、以邻为伴的周边外交方针和睦邻、安邻、富邻的周边外交政策，践行亲、诚、惠、容周边外交理念。中国是维护南海和平稳定、推动南海合作和发展的坚定力量。中国致力于深化周边睦邻友好，积极推动与周边国家以及东盟等地区组织的务实合作，实现互利共赢。

142. The South China Sea is a bridge of communication and a bond of peace, friendship, cooperation and development between China and its neighbors. Peace and stability in the South China Sea is vital to the security, development and prosperity of the countries and the well-being of the people in the region. To realize peace, stability, prosperity and development in the South China Sea region is the shared aspiration and responsibility of China and ASEAN Member States, and serves the common interests of all countries.

142. 南海既是沟通中国与周边国家的桥梁，也是中国与周边国家和平、友好、合作和发展的纽带。南海和平稳定与地区国家的安全、发展和繁荣息息相关，与地区各国人民的福祉息息相关。实现南海地区的和平稳定和繁荣发展是中国和东盟国家的共同愿望和共同责任，符合各国的共同利益。

143. China will continue to make unremitting efforts to achieve this goal.

143. 中国愿继续为此作出不懈努力。