Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang's Regular Press Conference on April 11, 2019

　　问：9日，国际货币基金组织（IMF）发布《世界经济展望》报告，将2019年全球经济增长预期由1月报告中的3.5％下调至3.3％，将中国经济增长预期由6.2％上调至6.3％。中方对此有何评论?

　　答：我们注意到有关报告，这应该是国际货币基金组织今年以来第二次下调全球经济增长预期，反映出全球经济下行压力仍在上升。在此背景下，中国经济运行保持了总体平稳、稳中有进的良好发展势头，这一点国际社会是有目共睹的。尽管当前外部环境还面临一些不确定和不稳定因素，但中国经济发展长期向好的基本面没有变，中国经济韧性好、潜力足、回旋余地大的基本特征没有变。国际货币基金组织上调中国经济增长预期，表明国际社会对中国经济保持中高速增长、迈向中高端水平有充分信心。

Q: In its World Economic Outlook report issued on April 9, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) downgraded its outlook for global economic growth to 3.3% this year down from 3.5% it had forecasted in January, and upgraded China's economic growth outlook to 6.3% from 6.2%. What's your comment?

A: We noted the relevant report. This is the second time for the IMF to downgrade its forecast for global economic growth in this year, which shows that the downward pressure on global economy is still increasing. Against such a backdrop, China's economic operation has maintained overall stability and made steady progress with good momentum, which is there for all to see. Despite some uncertainties and instabilities in the external environment, China's economic fundamentals will remain sound over the long term. It has acquired great resilience, huge potantial and broad room for maneuver. The IMF's upgrade of China's economic outlook indicates that the international community has full confidence that the Chinese economy can sustain medium-high speed growth and move to a medium-high level of development.

　　问：据报道，近期，菲官员发表言论称，南海是菲律宾的，中国夺走了南海，菲律宾要夺回南海；在菲律宾的专属经济区内没有中国的事。中方对此有何评论？

　　答：中方注意到菲方官员有关言论。南沙群岛是中国领土，我们对南沙群岛的主权拥有充分的历史和法理依据。千百年来，中国渔民一直在南海有关海域捕鱼，有关权利不容挑战。

Q: In recent days, Philippine officials have said that the South China Sea belongs to the Philippines. China took it away and the Philippines will take it back. China has no business in the EEZ of the Philippines. What is your comment?

A: We have taken note of those remarks made by the Philippine officials. The Nansha Islands are within China's territory, for which we have sufficient historical and legal basis. For thousands of years, Chinese fishermen have been fishing in these waters in the South China Sea. Their rights should not be challenged.

　　中方一贯主张与包括菲律宾在内的直接有关当事国，通过谈判解决在南海的有关争议，并致力于与地区国家共同维护南海的和平与稳定。在两国领导人关心下，中菲重回通过谈判协商妥善处理和解决有关争议的正确轨道。当前，南海形势总体稳定，“南海行为准则”磋商不断取得积极进展。中菲关系历经转圜、巩固、升级，步入全面战略合作关系。这一良好局面来之不易，值得倍加珍惜。希望菲方同中方一道，妥善处理南海问题，维护海上和平与安宁，更好地造福两国人民。

It is China's consistent belief that the relevant disputes related to the South China Sea shall be resolved through negotiations between China and countries directly concerned including the Philippines, and we are committed to upholding peace and stability in the South China Sea in concert with other regional countries. Thanks to the personal efforts of the two leaders, China and the Philippines have returned to the right track of properly handling and resolving the relevant disputes through negotiation and consultation. The situation in the South China Sea is generally stable, and steady progress has been made in the consultations on the COC. The China-Philippines relationship has experienced a turnaround, been consolidated and elevated to a comprehensive strategic cooperative one. This positive momentum is hard-won and shall be all the more cherished. We hope that the Philippine side can join us in properly managing the South China Sea issue, upholding peace and tranquility on the sea, and bringing more benefits to the two peoples.