第二，南海航行自由存在问题吗？
中国与部分周边国家在南海的确存有一些争议，但维护南海地区稳定是各国共识。在各国努力下，南海局势总体保持稳定。南海每年十几万艘商船穿梭往来，从未有哪一艘遇到过航行自由问题。
去年8月，中国与东盟国家外长共同通过了“南海行为准则”框架。各方还商定于今年内至少再举行3次磋商。在这样风平浪静、和谐稳定的气氛中，所谓航行自由更成为一个“伪命题”。个别国家炒作南海航行自由问题，要么是为自己的军舰进入南海“挑事”找借口，要么就是蓄意干预南海事务、挑拨地区国家关系、破坏南海稳定。
Second, is there any problem with freedom of navigation in the South China Sea?
The reality is that more than 100,000 merchant ships pass through these waters every year and none has ever run into any difficulty with freedom of navigation. Despite some disputes between China and some of its neighbours, maintaining stability in the South China Sea has been a matter of consensus for all the countries in this region. The overall situation has been stable, thanks to the joint efforts of all the regional partners.
Last August, for example, the foreign ministers of China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries agreed on the framework of a code of conduct. The parties have agreed to hold at least three more rounds of consultations before the end of this year.
The South China Sea is calm and the region is in harmony. The so-called "safeguarding freedom of navigation" issue is a bogus argument. The reason for hyping it up could be either an excuse to get gunboats into the region to make trouble, or a premeditated intervention in the affairs of the South China Sea, instigation of discord among the parties involved and impairment of regional stability.
第三，究竟谁在南海搞“军事化”？
美国口口声声反对南海“军事化”，但他们的驱逐舰、巡洋舰、航空母舰、侦察机、战略轰炸机满载先进进攻性武器，频频来到南海，无视他国主权，危害他国安全，破坏地区和平稳定。我们不禁要问，这样赤裸裸炫耀武力的行径是不是“军事化”？到底是谁在南海搞“军事化”？谁才是南海的“搅局者”？一些不明事理的国家也居高临下指责中国“不遵守规则”，这不仅是添乱，更是“帮凶”。
面对这些国家频繁挑衅，中国当然要提高警惕、加强戒备和防卫能力，这是一个主权国家的责任和权利，毋庸置疑。中国在自己的岛礁上搞建设，包括建设必要的防卫设施，为的是维护自身主权和安全，也可为往来南海的船舶和飞机提供相应的航行服务，有助于保障南海航道的畅通与安全。作为南海地区最大沿岸国，中国坚定走和平发展道路，坚定维护南海和平稳定大局，坚定促进地区的繁荣与发展，这同样毋庸置疑。
The third question concerns militarisation of the South China Sea?
The US, the self-professed opponent to "militarisation", keeps sending destroyers, cruisers, carriers, reconnaissance flights and strategic bombers, fully loaded with advanced offensive weapons to this region in total disregard of others' sovereignty and security or the peace and stability of the region. What is "militarisation" or "troublemaking" if not this blatant show of force? Instead of getting this straight, some countries followed suit by condescendingly accusing China of "not playing by the rules". This is not only making a mess of the regional situation but also assisting the troubemakers.
China is naturally vigilant and on guard against provocations and needs to increase its defensive capabilities, such as building necessary facilities on its islands. This is the responsibility and right of a sovereign country. These facilities, while serving the purpose of safeguarding the sovereignty and security of China, will also provide relevant navigational services to ships and aircrafts passing through this region and help ensure the openness and safety of the shipping and flight routes. China is the biggest littoral state in the South China Sea and it is firmly committed to peaceful development, to peace and stability in the South China Sea and to regional prosperity and growth. There is no doubt about this.
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