第三，这些人说中国必须接受菲律宾单方面提起的南海仲裁，否则就要给中国扣上"不遵守国际法"和"破坏基于规则的国际体系"的大帽子。这完全是颠倒黑白。中国不参与、不接受仲裁，是由于中国早在2006年就根据《联合国海洋法公约》相关规定作出了排除性声明，将主权争议和海洋划界等问题排除在强制性争端解决机制之外。要特别指出的是，包括英国在内的30多个国家都做出了类似声明。

Some appear eager to label China as "not abiding by international law" and "undermining the rule-based international system" because it rejects the arbitration imposed on it under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. China made a clear declaration in accordance with this law in 2006 to exclude compulsory arbitration on sovereign disputes and maritime delimitation. More than 30 other countries, including the UK, have made similar declarations.

一些域外国家声称对南海主权争议不选边站队，但同时又竭力介入南海问题。他们一方面出动飞机军舰，另一方面对中国妄加指责。这只能助长区域内少数国家的肆意妄为，使局势进一步紧张。

Some countries outside the South China Sea claim to be taking no side in sovereignty disputes, but they are actually doing all they can to get involved. The military vessels and planes they sent to the region and the accusations they throw at China only encourage certain countries in the region to behave even more recklessly, increasing the tension.

今年是莎士比亚逝世400周年。中英两国将举办一系列纪念活动。莎翁笔下的一些角色惯于搬弄是非、无事生非，尽管剧中人难免受骗上当，但读者和观众总能洞若观火，明辨是非。今天，谁在南海问题上搅浑水，世人也是看得一清二楚。我奉劝那些域外国家，不要再搅浑水，他们的行为已对地区稳定与世界和平构成了直接的威胁。

China and the UK have co-hosted events marking the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death. Some of his characters are good at stirring up enmity. But they can fool only their victims in the play, never the audience. Likewise, the world will see clearly who is making trouble in the South China Sea. These nations should desist from meddling and muddling. Such actions pose a threat to regional stability and world peace.