Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei's Regular Press Conference on December 15, 2015
外交部发言人洪磊主持例行记者会（2015年12月15日）
At the invitation of the Thai side, State Councilor Wang Yong will travel to Thailand to attend the launching ceremony of China-Thailand railway cooperation project, and co-host the 4th Meeting of the China-Thailand Joint Committee on Trade, Investment and Economic Cooperation with Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkit Chatusiphithak from December 16 to 20.
应泰方邀请，国务委员王勇将于12月16日至20日赴泰国出席中泰铁路合作项目启动仪式，并同泰国副总理颂奇共同主持召开中泰经贸联委会第四次会议。
During the visit, State Councilor Wang Yong will meet with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chanocha, attend the launching ceremony of China-Thailand railway cooperation project with Thai Deputy Prime Minister Prajin Jantong, and co-host the 4th Meeting of the China-Thailand Joint Committee on Trade, Investment and Economic Cooperation with Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkit Chatusiphithak. It is believed that this visit will deepen practical cooperation between China and Thailand in railways and trade, and move forward bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership for cooperation.
王勇国务委员此次赴泰期间，将会见泰国总理巴育，同泰国副总理巴金共同出席中泰铁路合作项目启动仪式，并同泰国副总理颂奇共同主持召开中泰经贸联委会第四次会议。相信此访将进一步促进中泰铁路、经贸等领域务实合作，推动两国全面战略合作伙伴关系取得更大发展。
Q: The US Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Scott Swift said that the South China Sea dispute could engulf the region in a possible arms race, as nations become increasingly tempted to use military force to settle territorial disputes instead of international law. He also urged nations, including China, to seek arbitration to settle maritime disputes. What is your comment?
问：美国海军太平洋舰队司令斯威夫特称，南海争端可能导致该地区卷入军备竞赛，因为各国越来越试图动用武力，而非援引国际法平息领土纷争。他敦促中国等国寻求以仲裁方式平息纷争。中方对此有何评论？
A: China stays unswervingly committed to peacefully resolving relevant disputes with countries directly concerned through negotiations and consultations. China and ASEAN states have been devoted to jointly maintaining peace and stability of the South China Sea. The general situation in the South China Sea is stable. Some countries intentionally play up tension in the region so as to create disturbance and poke their noses into the South China Sea affairs. The Chinese side is firmly opposed to that.
答：中方坚持同直接当事国通过谈判协商和平解决有关争议的决心坚定不移。中国同东盟国家一直致力于共同维护南海和平稳定，南海局势总体是稳定的。一些国家刻意渲染地区紧张局势，目的是制造混乱，以便插手南海事务，对此中方坚决反对。
Q: According to the BBC, an Australian military aircraft might have taken part in a freedom of navigation flight in the South China Sea in late November or early December. Is the Chinese side aware of that? What is your response?
问：据英国广播公司报道，有一架澳大利亚军机可能在11月底或12月初参与了维护南海航行自由的飞行活动，中方是否知情？如何看待此事？
A: We have made our solemn position clear on many occasions. I would like to stress again that there is no problem with navigation and overflight freedom in the South China Sea. We hope other countries, especially those outside the region, will watch their words and actions, rather than bringing up troubles and deliberately complicating the situation in the South China Sea.
答：中方已多次就此表明严正立场。我要重申，南海航行飞越自由没有问题。我们希望其他国家，特别是一些域外国家谨言慎行，不要横生枝节，给南海平添复杂因素。
Q: In late November, BBC journalists took a civilian aircraft around four reefs built by China in the South China Sea. They were warned off by the Chinese navy each time and they were further than 12 nautical miles from these reefs. Given that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea says that artificial islands do not have maritime territorial rights, how does that qualify as freedom of navigation being unaffected by China’s construction activities?
问：英国广播公司记者11月底跟随民用飞机飞经中国在建的南海四个岛礁附近，飞行范围都在有关岛礁12海里以外，但每次都被中国海军警告离开。根据《联合国海洋法公约》，人造岛礁没有海洋领土权益，如何证明中方的岛礁建设活动没有影响南海航行自由？
A: China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha islands. While exercising freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea in accordance with international law, relevant countries should respect China’s sovereignty and security.
答：中国对南沙群岛拥有无可争辩的主权。有关国家在南海依据国际法行使航行与飞越自由时应切实尊重中国主权和安全。
Q: US congressional sources said that the US is getting ready to approve the sale of guided missile frigates to Taiwan before the end of this month. Has China already warned the United States not to do so?
问：美国国会消息人士称，美方准备在月底前批准向台湾出售导弹护卫舰，中方是否已警告美方不进行此项军售？
A: The Chinese side firmly opposes any arms sale from the US to Taiwan. This position is solid, clear and consistent. I would like to reiterate that the arms sale from the US to Taiwan constitutes a grave breach of the principle of the three joint communiqués between China and the US, especially that of the August 17 Communiqué, interfere in China's domestic affairs and undermine the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations and China-US relations. The Chinese side strongly urges the US side to fully recognize how sensitive and harmful the arms sales can be, stick to its commitments, stop selling arms to Taiwan, and contribute to the overall interests of China-US ties and the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations.
答：中方坚决反对美方售台武器，这一立场是坚定、明确和一贯的。我要再次重申，美售台武器违反中美三个联合公报特别是“八·一七”公报原则，干涉中国内政，损害两岸关系和平发展和中美关系。中方强烈敦促美方切实认清售台武器的高度敏感性和严重危害性，恪守承诺，停止对台售武，多做有利于中美关系大局和两岸关系和平发展的事。
