劉振民外長:中國在南海保持了最大剋制

China has exercised "great restraint" in the disputed South China Sea by not taking back islands occupied by other countries even though it could have, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said on Tuesday.

中國外交部副部長劉振民在本週二表示，沒有從其他國家手中拿回本屬於我國的島嶼，已經是中國在南海問題上表現出的極大剋制。

"The Chinese government has the right and the ability to recover the islands and reefs illegally occupied by neighbouring countries," Liu said. "But we haven't done this. We have maintained great restraint with the aim to preserve peace and stability in the South China Sea."

“中國政府有權力也有能力收復被周邊國家非法侵佔的這些島礁，但是我們沒有做，我們保持了極大的剋制，我們的目的是爲了保持南海的和平穩定，”劉振民稱。

The issue is likely to feature in two summits this week, one in Manila and the other in Kuala Lumpur, both attended by U.S. President Barack Obama.

南海問題很可能會成爲兩次峯會的關注點。其中一次峯會是在馬尼拉，另一次則是在吉隆坡，預計美國總統奧巴馬將出席上述兩個峯會。

Liu Zhenmin said China did not want the South China Sea to be the focus of the East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur later this week, which Premier Li Keqiang will attend. But he noted it would be hard to avoid and that some countries would raise it.

中國國務院總理李克強將出席東亞峯會。劉振民表示不希望南海問題作爲東亞峯會的關注點，但他也表示，這是避免不了的，因爲有些國家肯定會提出這樣的問題。

China is building facilities like lighthouses, while protecting the environment, Liu added.

他補充道，中國正在南海島礁上建設燈塔等設施，並會保護好島上的生態。

At last he said the focus of the East Asia Summit should be development. "Hyping the South China Sea issue is not conducive to cooperation," Liu said.

最後，劉振民表示，東亞峯會重點應該關注發展問題，炒熱南海問題不利於合作。