刘振民外长:中国在南海保持了最大克制

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.

中国外交部副部长刘振民在本周二表示，没有从其他国家手中拿回本属于我国的岛屿，已经是中国在南海问题上表现出的极大克制。

"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."

“中国政府有权力也有能力收复被周边国家非法侵占的这些岛礁，但是我们没有做，我们保持了极大的克制，我们的目的是为了保持南海的和平稳定，”刘振民称。

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.

南海问题很可能会成为两次峰会的关注点。其中一次峰会是在马尼拉，另一次则是在吉隆坡，预计美国总统奥巴马将出席上述两个峰会。

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.

中国国务院总理李克强将出席东亚峰会。刘振民表示不希望南海问题作为东亚峰会的关注点，但他也表示，这是避免不了的，因为有些国家肯定会提出这样的问题。

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

他补充道，中国正在南海岛礁上建设灯塔等设施，并会保护好岛上的生态。

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.

最后，刘振民表示，东亚峰会重点应该关注发展问题，炒热南海问题不利于合作。