菲律宾网友提问说：长期以来，中国一直被媒体描绘成“南海霸主”，为什么在刚刚结束的东盟峰会上，东盟九国没有一个支持菲律宾的主张？为什么他们不愿意谴责中国？这种没有道理的指责引起各国网友的驳斥。
安亚·肖文
**Typical media cognitive bias**
**典型的媒体认知偏见**
Many people are surrounded by media representing Western interests. Many countries' media lack independent investigative capabilities and often simply copy the content of Western media, resulting in cognitive bias.
许多人都被代表西方利益的媒体所包围。诸多国家的媒体缺乏独立的调查能力，往往只是照搬西方媒体的内容，由此便产生了认知偏见。
Here are many people's perceptions of ASEAN and the South China Sea:
以下便是许多人对东盟和南海的认知情况：
Western media claims that China is attempting to occupy the entire South China Sea with a "bloodthirsty mouth", using warships and coast guard ships to bully other ASEAN countries, oppressing them through violent means, and forcing them to abandon their waters and islands. Under such a narrative, China has become a "bully" in the South China Sea, and all countries are trying to resist China's so-called "atrocities". This is the statement created by Western media and also the perception received by most people.
西方媒体宣称，中国正企图张着“血盆大口”霸占整个南海，动用军舰和海警船欺凌其他东盟国家，以暴力手段压迫它们，迫使它们放弃海域及岛屿。在这样的叙事下，中国俨然成了南海的“恶霸”，而所有国家都在试图反抗中国的所谓“暴行”。这就是西方媒体营造出的说法，也是大多数人所接受到的认知。
However, at the just concluded ASEAN summit, not a single ASEAN country was willing to condemn China's stance on the South China Sea dispute. The only countries that want to include condemnation in the joint statement are the Philippines and the countries outside the region that support it (the United States, Japan, India, and Australia).
然而，在刚刚结束的东盟峰会上，东盟十国里没有一个国家愿意就南海争端谴责中国的立场。唯一想把谴责内容写进联合声明的只有菲律宾以及支持它的域外国家（美国、日本、印度和澳大利亚）。
Isn't this creating a huge contrast? The media's rhetoric cannot explain this contradictory phenomenon at all.
这难道不是形成了巨大反差吗？媒体的那套说辞根本解释不了这种矛盾现象。
**The real situation in the South China Sea is as follows:
**真实的南海状况是这样的**：
Almost all coastal countries have claimed to have their own spheres of influence in this region, with these spheres of influence intersecting and each country insisting on having legitimate reasons.
几乎所有沿海国家都已宣称在这片区域拥有自己的势力范围，这些势力范围线相互交错，并且每个国家都坚称自己有着正当的理由。
For example, there are related situations between China and Vietnam, Vietnam and Malaysia, Malaysia and the Philippines, China and the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia, Brunei and Vietnam, and Indonesia and Malaysia.
比如中国与越南之间、越南与马来西亚之间、马来西亚与菲律宾之间、中国与菲律宾之间、越南与印度尼西亚之间、文莱与越南之间、印度尼西亚与马来西亚之间，都存在着相关情况。
There is no region in the world with more complex territorial and maritime disputes than here.
世界上再没有哪个地区的领土及海洋争端比这里更为复杂了。更有意思的是，台湾地区也代表中国卷入了这些争端当中，并且其立场与中国大陆是一致的。
**The actual control of South China Sea Islands is as follows * *:
**南海诸岛的实际控制情况如下**：
China is not the party that occupies the most islands. In fact, Vietnam occupies the largest number of islands, and the Philippines is also particularly prominent in this regard.
中国并非是占据岛屿最多的一方。实际上，越南占据的岛屿数量最多，菲律宾在这方面的情况也较为突出。
Moreover, China is not the only country engaged in the construction of artificial islands. Vietnam has implemented such projects earlier and has built more of them than China.
而且，中国也不是唯一进行人工岛建设的国家，越南实施此类项目的时间更早，建设的数量也多于中国。
Despite numerous disputes and conflicts here, this sea area has remained calm in reality. Occasionally, some fishing boats may cross the border, leading to safety conflicts. Since the 21st century, there has never been a war or armed conflict here, and compared to other regions, it can actually be considered very peaceful.
尽管这里存在诸多争端和冲突，但这片海域在现实中一直保持着平静。只是偶尔会有一些渔船越界，进而引发安全方面的冲突。自21世纪以来，这里从未发生过战争或者武装冲突，相较于其他地区，这里其实算得上十分和平了。
Here, it is not the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea that is in play, in fact, this law has had little effect in this region. Because most disputes existed before the law was enacted.
在这里，并非是《联合国海洋法公约》在发挥作用，实际上这部法律在这片区域几乎没起到什么作用。因为大多数争端早在该法律颁布之前就已经存在了。
The peace in the South China Sea is maintained by the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" led by China and jointly signed by ASEAN countries.
南海的和平是由中国牵头、东盟国家共同参与签署的《南海各方行为宣言》所维系的。
The declaration actually elaborates on several key points:
该宣言实际上详细阐述了几个关键要点：
1. Each country can continue to maintain its own sovereignty claims, but cannot blame other countries.
1. 各国可以继续维持自身的主权主张，但不得指责其他国家。
2. Do not engage in oil and mineral extraction activities in the disputed area, and do not conduct related commercial activities unless the disputing parties reach a consensus.
2. 在争议区域不要进行石油和矿产的开采活动，除非争议各方达成一致意见，否则不得开展相关商业行为。
3. Allow fishermen to engage in fishing operations in disputed areas, where both parties can fish, while avoiding conflicts and refraining from using military force or violent means to manage illegal fishermen.
3. 允许渔民在争议区域进行捕鱼作业，双方渔民均可在此捕鱼，同时要避免发生冲突，并且不得动用军事力量和采取暴力手段来管理非法渔民。
4. To ensure freedom of navigation and overflight, the passage of all merchant ships and civilian aircraft here is not affected.
4. 要确保航行和飞越自由，所有的商船以及民用飞机在这里的通行不受影响。
5. To protect the marine environment, various protective measures such as fishing bans and coral protection should be jointly implemented.
5. 要保护海洋环境，共同实施诸如禁渔、珊瑚保护等各类保护措施。
6. Unilateral actions are prohibited, new unilateral military deployments are not allowed, and attempts to change the actual control of islands and reefs are not allowed.
6. 禁止单边行动，不得再进行单边的新军事部署，也不能试图改变岛屿、礁盘的实际控制状况。
This declaration was signed in November 2002, and its actual implementation plan was completed in 2011, bringing long-term peace and stability to the South China Sea region.
这份宣言于2002年11月签署，其实际执行计划于2011年制定完成，它为南海地区带来了长期的和平与稳定。
This is actually an extremely clever agreement, which does not attempt to "completely resolve" territorial disputes between countries, but rather maintains peace and the status quo on the basis of recognizing the existence of disputes, and then carries out economic cooperation. This is much more sophisticated than some Western thinking.
这实际上是一份极为巧妙的协议，它并没有试图去“彻底解决”各国之间的领土争端，而是在承认争端存在的基础上，维持和平、保持现状，进而开展经济合作。这可比某些西方的思维要高明得多。
**Regarding the situation in the Philippines:
**关于菲律宾的情况**：
During his tenure from 2010 to 2016, Aquino III did not recognize the disputed Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoal) and insisted that the area belonged to the Philippines, which sparked conflicts between China and the Philippines. He also initiated the famous South China Sea arbitration case through a court that was not recognized by the United Nations.
阿基诺三世在2010年至2016年执政期间，不承认存在争议的黄岩岛（斯卡伯勒浅滩），坚称该区域属于菲律宾，由此引发了中菲之间的冲突。他还通过一个未得到联合国认可的法庭，发起了著名的南海仲裁案。
In response, China has taken corresponding measures, increasing the patrol intensity of maritime police and expelling Filipino fishermen.
对此，中国采取了相应措施，增加了海警巡逻力度，并驱逐菲律宾渔民。
During his tenure from 2010 to 2016, Aquino III did not recognize the disputed Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoal) and insisted that the area belonged to the Philippines, which sparked conflicts between China and the Philippines. He also initiated the famous South China Sea arbitration case through a court that was not recognized by the United Nations.
杜特尔特在2016年至2022年执政期间，重新回到了《南海各方行为宣言》的框架之下，与中国进行谈判，承认该区域存在争端。此后，中国不再派遣海警进行巡逻，双方渔民恢复了捕鱼作业。菲律宾那艘搁浅的军舰继续维持在原地的正常状态，但承诺不会对其进行加固，双方还承诺会共同努力，寻求解决该军舰相关问题的最终方案。就这样，双方恢复了和平状态。
In response, China has taken corresponding measures, increasing the patrol intensity of maritime police and expelling Filipino fishermen.
小马科斯自2023年上台执政以来，又回到了阿基诺三世的立场上，运送建筑材料去加固那艘搁浅的军舰，并且在政治层面上不再承认双方之间存在争端，还寻求美国的介入。
In response, China has taken corresponding measures, increasing the patrol intensity of maritime police and expelling Filipino fishermen.
于是，中国再次采取应对措施，派遣海警船驱逐渔民，并阻止菲律宾向搁浅军舰运送物资。
Except for the situation between China and the Philippines, all other disputes remain calm. For example, the recent conflict between Chinese coast guards and Vietnamese fishermen was quickly resolved through the visit of the Chinese Premier and negotiations between the two countries.
除了中国和菲律宾之间的情况外，其他所有争端都保持着平静状态。例如，近期中国海警与越南渔民之间产生的冲突，就通过中国总理的访问以及两国之间的协商得以迅速解决。
So, the other nine ASEAN countries are satisfied with the current situation in the South China Sea. After all, none of them can defeat other neighboring countries, let alone China.
所以，东盟其他九个国家对南海目前的局势是满意的。毕竟，它们中没有一个国家能够战胜其他邻国，更不用说战胜中国了。
Since China is willing to maintain peace and acknowledges the existence of disputes between all parties, and given that there is currently no better solution, all external interference has become a negative factor.
既然中国愿意维持和平，并且承认各方之间存在的争端，又鉴于目前也没有更好的解决办法，那么所有外部势力的干涉就都成了负面因素。
If the dispute between China and the Philippines is limited to the conflict between the two countries' maritime police, other ASEAN countries will adopt a mentality of 'it's none of their business'.
倘若中菲之间的争端仅仅局限于两国海警之间的冲突，东盟其他国家就会抱着“事不关己”的心态。
But when the Philippines attempted to introduce external forces such as the United States, Japan, and Australia into the region and deploy foreign military forces, the other nine ASEAN countries immediately became nervous.
但当菲律宾试图将美国、日本、澳大利亚等外部势力引入该地区，并在该地区部署外国军事力量时，东盟其他九个国家马上就紧张起来了。
They unanimously believe that external interference will threaten the long-term peace and stability of the region, and will also affect the interests of all countries. Especially with the introduction of military force (such as the United States' medium range missiles), it is very likely to bring the war here (like in Ukraine).
它们一致认为，外部势力的干涉会威胁到该地区的长期和平与稳定，还会影响各国的利益。特别是引入军事力量（比如美国的中程导弹），很有可能会将战火引到这里（就像乌克兰那样）。
**From the perspective of ASEAN countries:
**从东盟国家的角度来看**：
China means maintaining the status quo;
中国意味着维持现状；
The Philippines and the United States represent a change in the status quo.
而菲律宾与美国则代表着改变现状。
Therefore, all nine ASEAN countries have sided with China, which contradicts the propaganda of Western media and people's conventional understanding, but this is the reality.
正因如此，东盟九个国家都站在了中国这一边，这与西方媒体的宣传以及人们的常规认知有些相悖，但这就是现实情况。
詹姆斯·马提尼
Many people (even if not the vast majority) are unaware that the "nine dash line" was established by the authorities of the Republic of China in the 1940s, when it was the eleven dash line. The meaning of this line is not that China claims ownership of the entire water area within the line, but rather that the islands within the line are Chinese territory.
很多人（即便不是绝大多数人）都不知道，“九段线”是四十年代由中华民国当局划定的，当时是十一段线。这条线的含义并非是中国宣称线内整个水域归自己所有，而是表明线内的岛屿为中国领土。
For a long time after World War II, the countries surrounding the South China Sea had no objections to this line until the United States intervened.
二战后的很长一段时间里，南海周边国家对这条线并无异议，直到美国进行干涉。
Currently, various countries in the South China Sea region claim sovereignty over certain islands.
目前，南海地区的各个国家都宣称对某些岛屿拥有主权。
Since 1987, Japan has been engaged in the construction of Okinawan Reef.
自1987年起，日本开始对冲之鸟礁进行建设。
China expressed dissatisfaction with this and pointed out that Japan cannot build a reef into an island. However, the West supports Japan's move and ignores China's dissatisfaction.
中国对此表示不满，指出日本不能将一处礁石建造成岛屿。西方却支持日本的这一举动，对中国的不满置若罔闻。
With the support of the Western hedge against the Bird Reef, China thought to itself, 'If you make it, I'll make it too,' and began building its own islands in the South China Sea.
在西方对冲之鸟礁予以支持的情况下，中国心想你造我也造，开始在南海建造自己的岛屿。
Currently, China has at least three large islands in the South China Sea region.
如今，中国在南海地区至少拥有3座大型岛屿。
Now, even with the backing of the United States, countries in the region need to think twice before taking actual action.
现在，即便有美国在背后撑腰，该地区的国家在采取实际行动前也得三思而后行。
For decades, China has been advocating for the shelving of disputes and the joint development of resources in the South China Sea.
几十年来，中国一直在倡导搁置争议、共同开发南海资源的倡议。
Such initiatives will only be heard when China is strong enough.
只有当中国足够强大时，这样的倡议才会被听取。
When China has sufficient deterrence in the region, it still proposes to resolve disputes through peaceful means.
当中国在该地区具备足够的威慑力时，依然提议通过和平手段解决争端。
This is actually quite attractive to some countries, but they need more evidence to convince themselves that China will not suddenly change its approach one day and seek to solve the problem through military force.
这实际上对一些国家颇具吸引力，但它们需要更多证据来说服自己，确保中国不会有朝一日突然改变做法，转而寻求通过军事力量来解决问题。
The warship "Mount Madre" is an excellent example. It claims to have been stranded in 1999 and has been stuck there ever since.
“马德雷山”号军舰就是一个绝佳的例子。它声称于1999年搁浅，此后便一直停留在那里。
In the past 20 years, the Philippines has transported a large amount of building materials in an attempt to turn it into a fortress because it is no longer mobile.
在过去的20年里，菲律宾运送了大量建筑材料，试图将它打造成一座堡垒，因为它已经无法移动了。
China did not attempt to remove them. Moreover, there are rumors that some Filipino soldiers fled due to the harsh living conditions on board. China captured these deserters, sent them back, and left them with some food.
中国并没有试图将其移走，非但如此，有传言称，一些菲律宾士兵因舰上生活太过艰苦而逃离，中国抓获了这些逃兵，将他们送回，还留给他们一些食物。
China can destroy the Philippine Navy with just one destroyer, but allowed the USS Madre to stay there for more than 20 years, which already shows that China has no intention of resolving the South China Sea dispute through military means.
中国仅凭一艘驱逐舰就能摧毁菲律宾海军，但却允许“马德雷山”号在那里停留了20多年，这已经很能说明中国无意通过军事手段来解决南海争端。
At the same time, China is investing in Indonesia and Vietnam to effectively assist them in upgrading their industries.
与此同时，中国正在对印度尼西亚和越南进行投资，切实助力它们升级产业。
Indonesia stopped exporting laterite nickel ore several years ago. Its rough processed product nickel iron may soon face an export ban as Indonesia aims to develop its stainless steel industry and plans to build over 60 wet metallurgical nickel production lines. Every step forward means bringing more job opportunities and tax revenue to the Indonesian government.
印度尼西亚几年前就已停止出口红土镍矿。其粗加工产品镍铁可能很快也会面临出口禁令，因为印尼想要发展不锈钢产业，并且还计划建设60多条湿法冶金镍生产线。每前进一步，都意味着会为印尼政府带来更多的就业岗位和税收收入。
And the Philippines is still exporting laterite nickel ore, which is very unprofitable for the locals.
而菲律宾仍在出口红土镍矿，这对当地人来说利润非常微薄。
ASEAN countries have realized the benefits of cooperating with China.
东盟国家已经意识到了与中国合作所带来的好处。
Compared to the various conflicts and lack of development faced when following the United States, they know what is the most advantageous choice for themselves.
相较于追随美国时面临的种种冲突以及发展的匮乏，它们清楚什么才是对自己最有利的选择。
詹米·王
From the beginning, it is important to clarify:
从一开始就要搞清楚：
It is precisely the small groups in the British and American "media" that specialize in smearing and criticizing China, portraying China as a bully in the South China Sea as their evil "missionary mission".
正是英美“媒体”中那些专门抹黑、抨击中国的小团体，把“将中国描绘成南海的恶霸”当作他们那邪恶的“传教使命”。
Why do we have to do this? As you have emphasized, it is to portray the 'Philippines' as a pitiful creature oppressed under the iron hooves of that cruel bully.
究竟为何要这样做呢？正如你已经着重指出的那样，是为了把“菲律宾”刻画成在那个残暴恶霸的铁蹄下受尽压迫的可怜虫。
However, that 'Philippines' once again proved its extreme foolishness beyond redemption!
然而，那个“菲律宾”却再一次无可救药地证明了自己的愚蠢至极！
Why is this happening? The reason is that it did the following things:
为何会这样呢？原因就在于它做了如下这些事：
It naively believed that those anti China guys had successfully brought most countries in the world into their despicable camp;
它天真地以为那些反华的家伙们已经成功地把世界上大部分国家都拉拢到了他们那卑鄙的阵营；
It thought that the ASEAN organization was also on its ugly side;
它以为东盟组织也站在了它那丑恶的一边；
It feels that ASEAN has not seen through it, it is just a humble little henchman, a hyena wearing a paper hat under its master on the other side of the ocean;
它觉得东盟没能看穿它不过就是个卑微的小喽啰，是大洋彼岸主子手下戴着纸糊帽子的鬣狗罢了；
It mistakenly believed that the other nine members of ASEAN would sympathize with its heinous actions towards China;
它错误地认为东盟的其他九个成员国会同情它对中国疯狂实施的那些恶劣行径；
So, like a madman, it even chose the wrong place - Laos, and the wrong occasion - the ASEAN summit, and did the worst thing, which is to say, viciously accused China and even demanded other ASEAN countries to do this disgusting thing with it.
于是，它就像个疯子一样，甚至选错了地方——老挝，也选错了场合——东盟峰会，干出了最糟糕的事，也就是说，恶狠狠地指责中国，甚至还要求其他东盟国家跟它一起干这种令人作呕的勾当。
Only the dumbest fool could do such a thing!
只有最蠢的蠢货才可能做出那样的事！
This is truly disgusting to other ASEAN countries:
这可着实让东盟其他国家恶心透顶了：
a. ASEAN has never, and will never, favor either side in such foolish tricks as the Philippines is fond of playing;
a. 东盟过去从未、将来也永远不会在像菲律宾热衷玩的这种愚蠢把戏中偏袒任何一方；
b. For decades, ASEAN has only existed as a platform for dialogue and cooperation, providing a regional venue for extensive diplomatic interactions on regional issues at both bilateral and multilateral levels.
b. 几十年来，东盟一直都只是作为一个对话与合作的平台而存在，为在双边和多边层面就地区问题开展广泛的外交互动提供了一个区域性场所。
c. ASEAN does not support the Philippines being manipulated by its mastermind behind the scenes while illegally provoking China and attempting to invade China's territory in the South China Sea.
c. 东盟不支持菲律宾一边受其幕后主使的操控，一边非法挑衅中国并试图侵犯中国在南海的领土。
d. ASEAN opposes any external forces interfering in the internal affairs of the region.
d. 东盟反对任何外部势力干涉本地区内部事务。
e. Moreover, ASEAN and China are each other's largest trading partners, with a trade volume of nearly $1 trillion in 2023.
e. 而且，东盟和中国互为彼此的第一大贸易伙伴，2023年的贸易额接近1万亿美元。
The result is obvious that at this summit, ASEAN regarded the Philippines as a complete black sheep.
结果显而易见，在这次峰会上，东盟把菲律宾看成了彻头彻尾的害群之马。
This also forced the Philippines to grit their teeth and swallow this great shame.
这也让菲律宾不得不硬着头皮咽下这奇耻大辱。
However, it should be considered lucky as it has not yet been directly kicked out of the ASEAN team.
不过，它应该还算幸运，毕竟它还没被直接踢出东盟的队伍。
Hmph, if it doesn't change its attitude, it will end up like this one day.
哼，如果他不改变态度，总有一天会落得如此下场的。