Ambassador Zhang Ming, Head of Chinese Mission to the EU: Real Risks to Peace and Stability in the South China Sea Come From Power Outside the Region

　2019年8月22日，驻欧盟使团团长张明大使在《欧盟观察》网站发表署名文章《域外大国干扰是南海和平稳定的风险源》，全文如下：

　　近期，个别域外大国罔顾南海局势持续向好的事实，就所谓南海“紧张局势”无端指责中国，欧盟高官也表达了关切。为了让欧洲读者更加全面认知南海问题，我愿意向广大朋友们讲讲南海的故事。

On 22nd August, Ambassador Zhang Ming, head of Chinese mission to the EU published a signed article on EUobserver. Here is the full text of the article:

Recently, despite the continued improvement in the situation in the South China Sea, a major power outside the region has kept making unwarranted accusations against China over the so-called "tensions" in the South China Sea. Senior EU officials have expressed similar concerns. To help European readers get a full picture of the South China Sea issue, I wish to share with you the other side of the story.

　　从“南中国海”的名字可以看出，南海在中国大陆的南面。中国是最早发现和命名南海诸岛的国家，也是最早开发利用南海的国家。早在公元8世纪，欧洲进入中世纪不久，中国就开始对南海进行管辖。中国和南海沿岸国交往密切，人民世代友好。直到20世纪前，中国对南海诸岛的主权从未遭遇任何挑战。

As its name suggests, the South China Sea is to the south of the Chinese mainland. China was the first country to discover, name and develop the South China Sea islands. As early as in the 8th century, shortly after Europe entered the Middle Ages, China started administering the South China Sea. China has maintained close exchanges with the littoral states of the South China Sea and has enjoyed friendship with peoples of these countries from generation to generation. Before the 20th century, China's sovereignty over the South China Sea islands had never been challenged.

　　二战结束后，中国使用美国提供的军舰，收复了日本非法侵占的南海诸岛，在岛上举行接收仪式并派兵驻守。作为二战后国际秩序的组成部分，中国对南海诸岛的主权得到国际社会广泛承认。但随着南海发现油气资源，一些沿岸国开始在南沙夺岛占礁，提出海洋权益诉求，导致南海出现争端。尽管如此，中国致力于同有关国家谈判解决争议，聚焦海上务实合作，切实维护了南海的和平稳定，维护了地区国家的发展繁荣。

After the end of World War II, China used naval ships provided by the United States and recovered the South China Sea islands illegally occupied by Japan. On the islands, the takeover ceremonies were held and troops started to be stationed. As part of the post-war international order, China's sovereignty over the South China Sea islands has been widely recognized by the international community.

However, with the discovery of oil and gas resources in the South China Sea, some littoral states have sought to seize islands and reefs in the Nansha Islands, and made claims to maritime entitlements, leading to disputes in the South China Sea. That being said, China has been committed to settling the disputes through negotiation with the countries directly concerned, and focusing on practical maritime cooperation. Such efforts have contributed to the overall peace and stability in the South China Sea as well as development and prosperity of countries in this region.