国防部：美日唯恐南海不乱 兴风作浪
Ministry of National Defense: US and Japan Keep Stirring up Troubles in the South China Sea
8月16日下午，国防部新闻局副局长、国防部新闻发言人张晓刚大校就近期涉军问题发布消息。
记者：近日，美国宣布5亿美元对菲军援计划，声称用来帮助菲方应对中国海警及“海上民兵”。日本近期还与菲律宾在“专属经济区”举行联合军事演习，声称此举有助实现“自由开放的印太”。请问中方对此有何评论？
Question: The US recently announced a US$500 million military aid to the Philippines, claiming to help the Philippine side respond to the China Coast Guard and “maritime militia”. In addition, Japan recently held a joint military exercise with the Philippines in the so-called “exclusive economic zone of the Philippines”. The activity was said to help realize “a free and open Indo-Pacific”. What’s your comment?
张晓刚：中方一贯认为，国家间的防务合作不应针对第三方，不得破坏地区和平稳定。但美日等一些域外国家唯恐南海不乱，不断兴风作浪、捣乱搅局，菲方引狼入室、甘为棋子，为地区各国所不齿。需要强调的是，中国对南海诸岛及其附近海域拥有无可争辩的主权。对于蓄意侵权的，我们将依法正当维权；对于无理挑衅的，我们将坚决据理反制，坚定捍卫自身领土主权和海洋权益。
Zhang Xiaogang: The Chinese side believes that defense cooperation between countries should not target any third party or disrupt regional peace and stability. However, some outside countries, such as the US and Japan, keep stirring up troubles and muddying the waters in the South China Sea. The Philippines are inviting wolves into the house and willingly acting as their pawns, which is despised by other regional countries. It needs to be emphasized that China has indisputable sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao and its adjacent waters. We will take legitimate countermeasures against deliberate infringements and provocations to protect our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.