Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on November 16, 2018

      问：14日，李克强总理在新加坡出席第21次中国—东盟领导人会议时表示，中方愿同东盟国家共同努力，争取未来3年内完成“南海行为准则”磋商。中方提出这样的愿景有何考虑？

　　答：当前，在中国和东盟国家的共同努力下，南海形势趋稳向好，中国和东盟国家全面有效落实《南海各方行为宣言》，积极推进海上务实合作，“南海行为准则”磋商取得重要共识和进展。

Q: On November 14, Premier Li Keqiang, when attending the 21st China-ASEAN Leaders' Meeting in Singapore, said that China stands ready to join hands with ASEAN countries to strive to conclude the negotiations on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea within three years. What are China's considerations behind presenting such kind of a vision?

A: Currently, thanks to the concerted efforts of China and ASEAN countries, the situation in the South China Sea has been stabilized and is improving. China and ASEAN countries have been comprehensively and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and actively promoting maritime practical cooperation. Important consensus and progress have been achieved on the consultations on the COC.

　　今年8月，中国和东盟国家外长在东亚合作系列外长会上宣布形成“准则”单一磋商文本草案。在此次新加坡举行的中国—东盟领导人会上，11国领导人一致同意2019年内完成对“准则”单一磋商文本草案第一轮审读。中方领导人并在会上提出三年内完成“准则”磋商的愿景，这充分体现出中国愿同东盟国家共同维护南海和平稳定的诚意、决心和信心。

　　早日在协商一致基础上完成“准则”磋商是东盟国家的普遍期待，也是中方的真诚意愿。中方愿与有关各方一道，落实好领导人共识，排除外界干扰，早日达成符合地区实际、满足地区需求的地区规则，维护南海和平稳定。

In August this year, at the series of Foreign Ministers' Meetings on East Asia Cooperation, the foreign ministers from China and ASEAN countries announced that they have arrived at the single draft negotiating text of the COC. At this China-ASEAN Leaders' Meeting in Singapore, the leaders from 11 countries unanimously agreed to finish the first reading of the single draft negotiating text of the COC by 2019. At this meeting, the Chinese leader presented the vision that the consultations on the COC should be concluded within three years, which fully testifies to the sincerity, resolve and confidence of China to work with ASEAN countries to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Concluding the COC based on the consensus through consultations at an early date is the shared aspiration of ASEAN countries as well as the sincere wish of the Chinese side. China is willing to work with all relevant parties to implement the consensus reached by the leaders, remove external disturbances, so that we can come to agreement on the rules that correspond with the realities and meet the needs of the region at an early date and uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea.

　　问：美国副总统彭斯说南海不属于任何一个国家，美国将继续在国际法允许的范围内行使航行和飞越自由。中方是否认为彭斯的相关言论是种挑衅？

　　答：最近美方有人不时发出各种声音，大家都在听，也都在看。

Q: US Vice President Mike Pence said that the South China Sea doesn't belong to any one nation, and the US will continue to sail and fly wherever international law allows. Does China consider his remarks to be provocative?

A: Recently certain people in the US have uttered all sorts of voices from time to time. We are all listening to them and also keeping an eye on their actions.