早在15世纪初，中国著名航海家郑和率领着世界上最庞大的船队，七次下西洋，曾五次经过马六甲海峡，远航亚非30多个国家和地区，带去的不是血与火、掠夺和殖民，而是瓷器、丝绸和茶叶，是中国人民的友谊和祝福。600年前，这片海洋就享有和平稳定和航行自由，600年后的今天仍然如此。
In the early 15th century, Zheng He (or Cheng Ho), a famous Chinese navigator, led the world's largest fleet on seven expeditions to the Western Seas. He passed through the Malacca Strait five times, and went as far as reaching the shores of over 30 countries and regions in Asia and Africa. Instead of blood and fire, plundering and colonialism, he brought with him Chinese porcelain, silk and tea as well as friendship and goodwill from the Chinese people. Since then, for six hundred years until today, this stretch of water has always enjoyed peace, stability and freedom of navigation.
近年来，本应通过直接当事国谈判协商解决的南海争议问题，被炒作成南海和平稳定和航行自由问题，甚至有域外国家高调介入。这对各方都是不利的。当前世界经济复苏低迷艰难，东亚地区本被视作增长的引擎。如果地区热点问题突出，甚至成为紧张局势的发源地，就会影响域内域外投资者和民众的预期。实际上，各国依照国际法在南海自由航行一向不存在障碍，而南海的和平稳定则需要各方以和平行动共同来维护。
In recent years, the question of the South China Sea, a dispute that should be resolved by countries directly concerned through negotiation and consultation, has been played up and described as an issue of peace, stability and navigational freedom. Some countries from outside the region have even taken a high profile in their intervention in the South China Sea. China sees this as doing no good to anyone. Now that global economic recovery remains difficult, East Asia is regarded as one engine driving global growth. Should regional hot-spot issues get prominent and become the source of tension, it will affect the expectation of investors and of people both within and outside the region. The fact is that freedom of navigation enjoyed by countries in the South China Sea in accordance with international law has never run into problem, and that peace and stability in the South China Sea needs to be upheld by all sides working for peace together.
中国始终坚持通过谈判协商和平解决南海争议问题。2002年签署的《南海各方行为宣言》，为保持南海十几年的平静作出重要贡献，各方应继续全面有效落实，坚持通过谈判解决争议，坚持以建设性方式处理分歧，不断增进政治互信，深化海上务实合作。中国愿与东盟国家共同努力，争取在协商一致的基础上早日达成“南海行为准则”。中国有信心与东盟国家一道，把南海建设成为造福地区各国的和平、友谊与合作之海。
China is committed to the peaceful settlement of the South China Sea dispute through negotiation and consultation. The DOC signed in 2002 made important contribution to ensure peace in the South China Sea over the last decade. The parties should continue to fully and effectively implement the DOC, resolve disputes through negotiation, manage differences in a constructive manner, increase political mutual trust, and deepen practical maritime cooperation. China will work with ASEAN countries to strive for an early conclusion of a COC on the basis of consensus. Together with our ASEAN friends, we have the confidence to make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation for the benefit of all countries in the region.
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