Cooperation or Confrontation? The Way Ahead for the Region
本地区是要合作之道还是走对抗之路？
Ambassador Hong Xiaoyong Has a Signed Article Published in The Straits Times
洪小勇大使在新加坡《海峡时报》发表署名文章
June 22 2020
2020年6月22日
On June 15, The Straits Times published an opinion piece titled “US stands with its partners for a free and open Indo-Pacific”, written by Dr Mark Esper, the US Secretary of Defence. This was another attempt to sell the Indo-Pacific Strategy of the United States after his predecessor’s at the Shangri-La Dialogue last year.
6月15日，美国国防部长马克·埃斯珀先生在《海峡时报》刊登题为《美国将与伙伴一起致力于自由开放的印太》的文章。这是继去年香格里拉对话会后，美国防长再次向地区国家兜售美国的“印太战略”。
The piece emphasised the three pillars of the strategy: preparedness, strengthening partnerships, and promoting a more networked region. This rhetoric, combined with the author’s position as US Secretary of Defence, creates two key impressions: First, the article is flaunting the powerful military presence of the US and its deployment of advanced weapons in the region – much like flexing its muscles to show off. Second, it is labelling China a threat to the “free and open system” in the region, and declaring the intention of the US to join forces with its “partners” in an effort to deter China. It is clear that this is an attempt to cause friction between major powers and add to the tension in the region.
文章着力展示了“印太战略”三大支柱——军事准备、同盟伙伴关系和地区网络建设的新进展。这些内容加上作者美国防长的身份，给人两大突出印象：一是炫耀美国在本地区强大的军事存在和先进的武器部署，“秀肌肉”的意味十足；二是把中国列为本地区“自由与开放”秩序的威胁，表明了与“伙伴”一起对中国进行遏制的意图。显而易见，它是在试图激起大国矛盾，加剧地区形势的紧张态势。
A CONFRONTATIONAL STRATEGY
（无中文）
To this end, the Indo-Pacific Strategy is reviving the Cold War mentality in an effort to impose divisions along the lines of ideology, with the Chinese Communist Party in the crosshairs. The South China Sea issue is again used to sow discord between China and the countries of the region, with blatant disregard for the general stable and positive state of affairs, and ignoring the fact that China and Asean member states are focused on resolving their differences through dialogue.
为此，这个“印太战略”重操冷战思维，试图以意识形态划分阵营，把矛头指向中国共产党。南海问题依然是“印太战略”挑拨中国与地区国家关系的必然话题，全然不顾当前南海形势总体稳定向好、中国与有关东盟国家致力于通过对话协商解决分歧的基本事实。
The strategy has brought to the fore a question that requires serious reflection: Should the region adopt a framework for unity and cooperation, or one of confronting camps?
美国的“印太战略”给本地区各国提出了一个需要认真对待的严肃问题，即本地区应该建立一个团结合作的地区架构，还是一个阵营对抗的地区秩序？
The strategy came at a time when the US launched a trade war with China and escalated containment against China. Its goal is to localise its deterrence policies and divide the regional countries into groups. In recent years, the US has also employed many strategies in various guises in other regions of the world, but these have only resulted in instability, economic decline, and destroyed lives. The US promise of freedom and prosperity never came. As the Indo-Pacific Strategy comes to this region, a big concern comes to all.
“印太战略”是在美国挑起对华贸易战、发动对华遏制的背景下出台的，目的是把美遏华战略“地区化”、“阵营化”。环顾世界，美国近年来也在本地区之外实施了各种名目的战略，但最终的结果都是导致当地社会动荡、经济衰退、民不聊生，美国许诺的“自由”、“繁荣”从未实现。现在美国又在本地区故伎重施，这一动向值得各国高度警惕。
Reality has proven that these geopolitical strategies, coloured by militarism and self-interest, do not fit with the common interests of the region, and run contrary to the stance of cooperation and working towards development for all. They will not - and should not – become the theme for the region’s order. In June last year, South-east Asian nations issued the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, calling for countries in the region, big and small, to work together to maintain peaceful development. Clearly, what the US is proposing with the Indo-Pacific Strategy runs counter to this common vision.
事实证明，这种充斥着军事对抗色彩和利己主义的地缘战略，不符合地区国家的共同利益，也和地区国家共谋合作、共求发展的基本立场相违背，不会也不应成为地区秩序的主题。东盟国家在去年6月份推出了“东盟印太展望”，呼吁各国化解分歧、携手合作，共同维护地区的和平发展。显然，美国“印太战略”的主张与地区国家的愿景背道而驰。
The region is today a rare oasis of peace, and one of the major growth engines of the global economy, because of the combined efforts of all parties, including Asean and China. Peace and development are the common interests of the region, and unity and cooperation are the common aspirations. What any major Asia-Pacific country should do is to respect the agenda of our times and contribute to the long-term stability and development of the region, instead of picking fights with other countries and adding to the tension.
本地区在今天之所以能成为一片难得的和平绿洲和世界经济增长的主要板块，离不开包括中国和东盟国家在内各方的共同努力。和平发展始终是本地区各国的共同利益之所在，团结合作是地区国家人民的共同意愿。作为亚太大国，应顺应时代潮流，为本地区各国的长远稳定发展作出实实在在的贡献，而不是去挑起大国对抗，加剧地区紧张关系。
CHINA’S ROLE IN THE REGION
（无中文）
China is an active contributor and unwavering supporter of regional prosperity. China is committed to upholding peace and stability in the region. The South China Sea issue is a matter of sovereignty and maritime rights, and resolving the issue will take time. However, what is most important is the political consensus between China and Asean member states to engage in dialogue and negotiation to resolve this peacefully.
中国是地区繁荣稳定的积极贡献者和坚定维护者。中国致力于维护地区的和平稳定。南海问题事关领土主权和海洋权益，解决这一问题不可能一蹴而就，但重要的是中国与有关东盟国家都有着对话协商、和平解决的政治共识。
The South China Sea issue is left over from history. The claimant countries have always managed their differences generally well for decades, but turbulence occurred when interference came from outside. The opinion piece has once again played up the issue with ulterior motives, maligning China and accusing it of bullying Asean out of access to an estimated US$2.5 trillion (S$3.5 trillion) in offshore oil and gas in the region. But the truth is that China has always upheld the principle of “pursuing joint development while shelving disputes”.
南海问题是历史遗留下来的，中国与东盟国家历来都可以较好地管控分歧，但往往只要域外国家一介入，南海地区的宁静就会被打破。这篇文章再次别有用心地炒作南海问题，污蔑中国霸占地区国家沿岸价值2.5万亿美元的油气资源。但事实是，中国始终坚持“搁置争议、共同开发”的一贯立场，在达成共识前，中国没有在争议海域打下一口油井。当前“南海行为准则”（COC）谈判快速有序推进，南海形势向好发展，这一局面值得中国与东盟国家共同珍惜。
China has never drilled a single oil well before a consensus was reached. Negotiations on the code of conduct in the South China Sea are currently progressing at pace and moving in a favourable direction. This is a state of affairs that should be appreciated and treasured by all regional countries. China is actively embarking on cooperation with countries in the region in multiple aspects, working towards mutual benefit with openness and inclusiveness. On the basis of mutual respect, China is working in line with each country’s developmental needs to build the Belt and Road - to inject new impetus for growth and development. China keeps its efforts to deepen trade relations with Asean: Total trade between China and Asean has already exceeded US$600 billion last year, while total bidirectional investment has exceeded US$200 billion. China has been Asean’s largest trading partner for 11 consecutive years and, since the start of 2020, Asean has become China’s biggest trade partner for the first time.
中国与地区国家积极开展全方位的合作，以开放包容实现互利共赢。中国尊重各国的合作意愿，顺应各国的发展需求，与东盟国家高质量共建“一带一路”，为地区发展注入强劲动能。中国不断深化与东盟国家的经贸往来，双方贸易总额超过6000亿美元，累计双向投资超过2000亿美元。中国连续11年成为东盟最大贸易伙伴，而东盟也历史性地成为中国最大贸易伙伴。
During the Covid-19 pandemic, China worked closely with Asean, providing aid through donation of material resources, sending medical teams, and other ways. In the face of the crisis, China has once again proven itself a trustworthy, dependable partner.
面对新冠肺炎疫情，中国与东盟积极开展合作，以捐赠物资、派遣医疗队等方式向东盟国家提供了帮助。在危机面前，中国再次证明是可以信赖、依赖的伙伴。
The cooperation between China and Asean is based on a common philosophy in development, with both parties supportive of globalisation and multilateralism. China and Asean have been working closely under the Asean Plus One and Asean Plus Three summits, the East Asia Summit, the Asean Regional Forum, and other regional platforms. China highly respects Asean’s centrality and will never be absent from the cooperation mechanisms. Both parties are actively pushing forward with negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which will further regional integration and protect free trade. China will continue to uphold its national policy of opening up - and the door will only open wider. We welcome Asean and other countries to share in the benefits and opportunities that economic development brings.
中国与东盟的合作是基于相同的发展理念，双方都支持全球化和多边主义。双方在10+1、10+3、东亚峰会、东盟地区论坛等机制下开展了密切合作，中国高度重视东盟在相关机制中的中心地位，不会“缺席”、更不会“退群”。双方积极推动区域全面经济伙伴关系协定（RCEP）谈判，这将进一步提升区域一体化水平，维护自由贸易。中国坚持对外开放的国策不会动摇，对外开放的大门只会越开越大，欢迎东盟及其他国家与中国分享发展的利益与机遇。
A COMMUNITY WITH A SHARED FUTURE FOR MANKIND
（无中文）
Unity, cooperation and development for all is the right direction for our times. President Xi Jinping proposed building a community with a shared future for mankind, which is aligned with the rationale of progress, and resonates with the aspirations of the people in the region. Manoeuvring superpowers against each other for one’s sole interest will not solve any problem - it will only harm everybody’s interest. Under the strong leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, China is committed to maintaining peace and stability, and advancing development and prosperity in foreign diplomacy.
团结合作、共同发展是时代发展的正确方向。习近平主席提出“构建人类命运共同体”的理念，正是契合了历史前进的逻辑，呼应了地区人民的心声。操弄唯我独尊的大国对抗解决不了任何问题，只会伤害各方利益。在中国共产党的坚强领导下，中国外交将坚持致力于维护和平稳定、促进发展繁荣。
China and US relations have a profound influence on the region as well as on the rest of the world. The two countries stand to gain from cooperation and to lose from confrontation. China looks forward to propelling a China-US relationship based on coordination, cooperation and stability. China does not intend to change the US; neither does it seek to replace the US. The US cannot change China at its own wish, nor can it block China’s growth. China’s development is never a threat to peace in the region, as the article claims. On the contrary, it is the efforts at containment and deterrence aimed at China that threaten it.
中美关系对于地区乃至世界都有着举足轻重的影响。中美合则两利、斗则俱伤，中国期待与美国携手努力，建设协调、合作、稳定的中美关系。中国无意改变美国，也不想取代美国；美国也不可能一厢情愿改变中国，更不可能阻挡中国的发展进程。对地区和平造成威胁的决不是文章认为的中国发展，而恰恰是对中国发展的围堵遏制。