■特朗普自上任以來，發表了不少針對中國的言論。圖為北京報攤。 資料圖片【原文】美國總統特朗普的新聞發言人斯潘塞（Sean Spicer）在白宮首次記者會上表態，稱將捍衛美國在南海的「國際利益」，而特朗普提名的國務卿蒂勒森在提名聽證會上更稱，「中國在南海（the South China Sea）修建島嶼的行為是非法的」，美國將禁止中國登上南海島礁。
中國在南海填海建礁（land reclamation ）完全屬於主權（sovereignty）範圍之事，美國無權置喙，要制止中國登島更是痴心妄想。
主權無可爭 美圖窮匕見
所謂南海軍事化、中國霸佔國際水域的說法，根本是一個話語權圈套（traps of discourse）。1947年，當時的中國政府頒佈了南海海域的11段線（11-dash line），表明了對線內島嶼和相關海域的主權與權益，並未受到任何國家異議。
直至上世紀60年代後期，一些南海國家開始侵佔（illegally occupy ）中國在南海的島礁，中國政府本着睦鄰友好的出發點，提出「主權歸我、擱置爭議、共同開發（joint development）」的主張，一些國家不但不響應，反而變本加厲。
近年美國推進亞太再平衡戰略（rebalance to Asia）後，一些國家不斷加大對中國的挑釁，美國加大軍事力量部署，增加與和中國有爭議國家的軍事合作關係，才是南海形勢緊張的根源。
如今特朗普政府甫上台，立即拿南海問題說事（stirring up tension in region），暴露美國遏止中國圖窮匕見。
中國決心維護國土完整
中國外交部一再強調，中方一向尊重和維護各國依據國際法在南海和世界各地享有的航行和飛越自由（freedom of navigation and overflight ），但絕不允許任何國家以「維護航行和飛越自由」為名侵犯中國在南海的領海和領空。中國敦促有關方面不得採取任何挑釁性言行，為地區和平穩定發揮負責任的作用。
中國維護國家領土完整和海洋權益的決心不可懷疑（unquestionable determination），中國保衛國家安全利益與發展利益的軍事能力不可低估。對於美國對中國南海主權島嶼領海、領空的挑戰，解放軍有信心有能力（confident and capable of），隨時對敢於侵犯中國國家安全的外國勢力予以迎頭痛擊。
上世紀50年代，新中國百廢待興，當美國威脅到中國的安全，志願軍（volunteer army）跨出國門，與美國為首的聯軍一戰，讓美國嘗到慘痛教訓。
今日中國的綜合國力和軍力與當年不可同日而語，希望特朗普不要誤判形勢，不要傷害中美關係。（標題及小標題為編輯所加）（摘錄自文匯報社評25-1-2017）
Trump's attempt to undermine China will not succeed
【譯文】Sean Spicer, the new White House press secretary, said during his first briefing that the U.S. will defend "international interests" in the South China Sea. Meanwhile, Trump's secretary of state Rex Tillerson said on his nomination hearing that China should not be allowed access to islands in the strategic waterways, as "China's island-building activities were illegal".
In reality, land reclamation in the South China Sea is completely within the scope of China's sovereignty. The U.S. has no right to comment on or stop Chinese activities in the region.
China's sovereignty is unquestionable
The so-called Chinese militarisation and occupation of international waterways are outright traps of discourse. In 1947, the then-Chinese government announced the 11-dash line without opposition and made public its sovereignty and interests on the waters and islands within the line.
It was not until the late 1960s that certain countries in the region began to illegally occupy Chinese islands and reefs. In an attempt to maintain peaceful ties with neighbours, the Chinese government put forth the idea of "setting aside dispute and pursuing joint development" on the basis of maintaining sovereignty over the region.
However, certain countries not only ignored China's friendly offer, but also intensified their aggression.
China has always been on the receiving end of the tension build-up in the South China Sea. Ever since the U.S. rebalance to Asia strategy, some countries keep seeking to provoke China while the U.S. stepped up its military deployment and cooperation with other so-called "claimants".
By stirring up tension in region immediately after swearing-in, Trump has perfectly exemplified the U.S. containment of China.
China will defend national interests
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, China respects and safeguards the freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea all countries enjoy under international law, but firmly opposes undermining China's sovereignty and security interests under the pretext of navigation and overflight freedom.
China upholds its territorial integrity and maritime interests with unquestionable determination. At the same time, no one will underestimate China's military capability in defending its national interests. Faced with challenges posed by the U.S., the People's Liberation Army is confident and capable of dealing with threats from anyone.
During the 1950s, Americans learned the hard way as New China's volunteer army dealt a heavy blow to the United Nations forces. Considering that China today has become stronger than ever, Trump must remember the lesson and refrain from hurting Sino-U.S. ties. ■Jeffrey Tse [ywc_jeffrey@hotmail.com]
Exercise
1. 11段線
2. 白宮發言人
3. 海洋權益
4. 聽證會
5. 沙洲
6. 軍事部署
7. 南沙群島
8. 國務卿
9. 志願軍
10. 領空
Answer
1. 11-dash line
2. White House press secretary
3. maritime interest
4. hearing
5. shoal
6. military deployment
7. Nansha/ Spratly Islands
8. secretary of state
9. volunteer army
10. airspace
