各位同事，

　　东亚的发展繁荣离不开南海的和平稳定。中国和东盟国家坚持南海问题“双轨思路”，全面有效落实《南海各方行为宣言》，南海形势总体向好，“南海行为准则”磋商正不断加速。

　　去年，中方提出争取三年达成“准则”的愿景，体现了中方推进磋商进程的最大诚意和良好愿望。各方根据这一愿景设定了2021年或更早完成磋商的共同目标。短短一年时间，各方提前完成第一轮审读，启动第二轮审读，并就磋商方式、规划、路径等达成了系列共识。有关进展令人鼓舞，值得高度肯定。

Colleagues,

Peace and stability in the South China Sea is crucial to the development and prosperity of East Asia. Committed to the "dual-track" approach to the South China Sea issue, China and ASEAN countries have been fully and effectively implementing the DOC. The situation in the South China Sea has been improving overall and the consultations on the COC have been making faster progress.

Last year, the Chinese side proposed working to conclude the COC in three years' time, demonstrating China's greatest sincerity and goodwill to advance the consultations. Guided by such a prospect, our countries have set a common goal of concluding the consultations in 2021 or even earlier. In less than a year, we have completed the first reading ahead of schedule, commenced the second reading, and reached common understandings on the methodology, plan and pathway of the consultations. Such progress is encouraging and should be applauded.

　　对下阶段磋商，我有几点意见与各位同事分享：

　　一是“准则”是《南海各方行为宣言》的升级版，应以《宣言》为基础。磋商“准则”要遵循《宣言》的原则，弘扬《宣言》的精神，全面体现《宣言》要素，同时应更富有实质内容、更具有效性和可操作性。

Here I would like to share with you some thoughts on the consultations in the next stage:

First, as a DOC plus, or an upgraded version of the DOC, the COC should be built on the DOC. The consultations on the COC should follow the principles and carry forth the spirit of the DOC, and fully reflect the elements therein as we strive to deliver a more substantive, effective and operable document.

　　二是“准则”是中国和东盟国家11方共同制定、共同遵守、共同实施的重要地区规则，体现了11国的共同利益和关切。我们要进一步凝聚共识，坚持自己的事情自己办，着眼地区实际和需要，排除干扰，把磋商的方向盘牢牢掌握在自己手中。

　　三是“准则”旨在增进互信、加强合作、管控分歧，要把握好这一根本定位，不介入当事国之间的领土和管辖权争议，目的是为南海和平稳定提供制度保障。这是各方商定的原则，应予以坚持。

Second, the COC represents important regional rules to be jointly formulated, observed and implemented by China and the ten ASEAN countries. As such, it reflects the common interests and concerns of the 11 parties. We need to further expand consensus and stay focused on handling our own affairs well. With regional realities and needs in mind, we should endeavor to remove distractions, and keep the direction of the COC consultations firmly in our own hands.

Third, the COC is aimed at enhancing trust, boosting cooperation and managing differences. Consistent with this fundamental purpose, it should steer clear of territorial and jurisdictional disputes between countries concerned and serve as an institutional safeguard for peace and stability in the South China Sea. This is a principle we have all agreed to and should always uphold.

　　四是要按照共同商定的时间表积极推进磋商，展现真诚务实态度，秉持合作共赢精神，争取2020年完成二读，为实现“三年愿景”奠定坚实基础。

Fourth, the COC consultations should be actively taken forward according to the agreed timeline. It is incumbent on all parties to display sincerity, pragmatism and a win-win spirit, and work together for completing the second reading in 2020 to lay solid groundwork for realizing the "three-year target".