第三，个别域外国家执意打着“航行自由”旗号派军舰去南海，放着300多万平方公里的广阔水域和畅通的国际航道不走，非要抵近中国岛礁海域，甚至非法闯入中国领海。这些行径公然侵犯中国主权和海洋权益，蓄意挑拨中国与地区国家关系，刻意制造地区紧张局势，完全是赤裸裸的“冷战思维”和“炮舰外交”！如果一国凭借自己有几艘远洋军舰，就跑到别国“家门口”横冲直撞，那么国际公理何在？！国际秩序何在？！这根本不是什么“航行自由”，而是“横行自由”！对这种霸权主义行径，我们必须坚决说“不”！

Which brings me to my third point, the behaviour of other countries who choose to send warships on so-called "freedom of navigation" operations.

The South China Sea is more than three million square kilometres in area and has numerous shipping lanes. However, some still choose to steer their navy warships close to the waters adjacent to China's islands and reefs. Some even illegally enter China's territorial waters.

These moves flagrantly infringe upon China's sovereignty and maritime rights, deliberately drive a wedge between China and its neighbours, and exacerbate regional tensions. If these acts of gunboat diplomacy, motivated by a Cold War mentality, are not deliberate attempts to stir up trouble then I don't know what is. The world must say no to these hegemonic actions.

How can we possibly have international justice and order if a country is free to run amok on another's doorstep just because it has a few ocean-going warships? "Freedom of navigation" is not a licence to do whatever one wants.

　　南海要和平不要冲突，要稳定不要动荡。这不仅符合地区国家利益，也符合世界各国的利益。那些域外国家应当看清大势，顺应民心，多做有利于南海和平稳定的事，而非相反。

　　在脱欧大背景下，英国正致力打造“全球化英国”。何谓“全球化”？我的理解就是要有大格局、大视野，就是能为世界和平与发展做出积极贡献，而不是某些人鼓吹的过时的“炮舰外交”。英国是富有远见和智慧的国家，一定能做出经得起历史考验的选择。

The South China Sea needs peace rather than conflict, stability rather than turbulence. It serves the interests of not only countries in the region but also all the countries in the world. That is why it is vital that countries outside the region come to recognise how important this is to all people, and contribute to the peace and stability of the South China Sea, rather than doing the opposite.

The UK plans to build a "global Britain" after Brexit. My understanding of the word "global" entails strategic thinking and a broad vision. It means active contribution to world peace and development, rather than the old-fashioned gunboat diplomacy I have heard being suggested in some quarters. As a country of vision and wisdom, the UK should be able to make a choice that can stand the test of time.