By Hu Bo

胡波

In recent years, the discourse of some Western countries and some Southeast Asian claimants on the South China Sea issue has evolved into a discourse that prioritizes positions and emotions, regardless of right or wrong. That is, regardless of the actual situation and specific facts, they are targeting China, and even fabricate all kinds of absurd stories. As a result, rumors about China's statements, policies, and actions regarding the South China Sea have continuously surfaced.

近年來，關(guān)于南海問題，在西方一些國家和部分東南亞聲索國的語境中，已經(jīng)演變成立場和情感優(yōu)先、不問是非。即無論實(shí)際形勢如何和具體事實(shí)怎樣，就是無來由地針對中國，為此還不惜編造各種荒誕不經(jīng)的故事。因此，有關(guān)中國南海主張、政策和行動(dòng)的謠言此起彼伏。

The inaugural Manila Dialogue on the South China Sea was held in Manila, the Philippines from November 6 to 8. This dialogue was initiated at the behest of Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and co-hosted by multiple Philippine non-governmental organizations and the US think tank Pacific Forum. The conference aimed  to build an international united front on cognitive warfare against China's South China Sea stance. Around 200 experts and media representatives from 19 countries including the US, Australia, Vietnam, Japan, Germany, and France attended the event.

11月6日至8日，首屆“馬尼拉南海對話會(huì)”在菲律賓馬尼拉舉行。這次對話會(huì)是在菲總統(tǒng)馬科斯的授意下，由菲律賓多個(gè)非政府組織和美國智庫太平洋論壇聯(lián)合舉辦。會(huì)議目的是建構(gòu)“針對中國南海認(rèn)知戰(zhàn)的國際統(tǒng)一陣線”。來自美國、澳大利亞、越南、日本、德國、法國等19個(gè)國家的約200名專家及媒體代表參加了本次對話會(huì)。

In this smear campaign against China, apart from the representatives from the Philippines, the most prominent ones are mainly the following three categories. The first category is the extreme anti-China figures represented by RayPowell, the director of Project Myoushu (launched by Stanford University). He directly accused China of being "imperialist".

在對華抹黑和負(fù)面攻擊中，除了菲律賓的代表外，最顯眼的主要有以下兩類類：第一類是以“妙手”項(xiàng)目（由斯坦福大學(xué)推出）負(fù)責(zé)人鮑威爾為代表的極端反華人士，他直接誣稱中國是“帝國主義”。

The second category consists of ambassadors from Western countries like the US, Japan, and Canada to the Philippines, whose remarks predictably skewed and adhered to so-called "political correctness", placing all responsibility for the South China Sea issues squarely on China and publicly declaring their support for the Philippines in confronting China.

第二類是美國、日本、加拿大等西方國家駐菲律賓的大使，他們的發(fā)言一如既往地偏頗和保持所謂“政治正確”，將南海所有的問題都?xì)w咎于中國，高調(diào)聲稱在南海問題上支持菲律賓對抗中國。

While the atmosphere seemed intimidating, Chinese experts who are truly familiar with South China Sea affairs and have been following the South China Sea issues for a long time can still deal with it with ease. Professor Lei Xiaolu from Wuhan University China Institute of Boundary and Ocean Studies (CIBOS) introduced the recent Report on Navigation and Overflight Situation in the South China Sea by the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative (SCSPI) in a panel discussion on the legal frameworks of the South China Sea. Professor Lei presented data and visuals that detailed the navigation and overflight situation and relevant legal issues in the South China Sea, leaving a strong impression on the audience.

陣勢雖然很唬人，不過對于真正熟悉南海事務(wù)、長期跟蹤南海問題的中國專家而言，依然可以游刃有余地應(yīng)對。其中，武漢大學(xué)中國邊界與海洋研究院的雷筱璐教授在南海的法律規(guī)則小組討論中重點(diǎn)介紹了“南海戰(zhàn)略態(tài)勢感知計(jì)劃”近期發(fā)布的《南海航行與飛越狀況報(bào)告》，以有圖有數(shù)據(jù)有真相的形式闡述了南海的航行與飛越狀況以及相關(guān)的法律問題，令現(xiàn)場聽眾頗為震撼。

The primary challenge in shaping global perception on the topic of the South China Sea is that dominant Western voices often promote narratives based on stance and emotion rather than facts and truth. In the foreseeable future, Chinese diplomats and experts may continue to face criticism on the international stage, as Western countries control much of the global discourse, and public opinion often favors weaker countries. Nonetheless, the Chinese officials and scholars will articulate China's perspective, assert China's claims, and dispel rumors aimed at China in such international forums.

在南海議題上，目前認(rèn)知的最大困境是，由于西方話語權(quán)的強(qiáng)勢，國際上傳播較多的聲音是基于立場和情感而非基于事實(shí)和真相。在可預(yù)見的將來，中方的外交官和專家在國際上處于“挨罵”的局面可能會(huì)持續(xù)一段時(shí)間，因?yàn)槲鞣絿艺莆罩鴩H話語權(quán)，加之輿論通常同情國力相對較弱的國家。中國官員和學(xué)者將在類似會(huì)議中發(fā)出中國的聲音、宣示中國的主張，破解針對中國的謠言。

(The author is the director of the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative.)

（作者是“南海戰(zhàn)略態(tài)勢感知計(jì)劃”主任）