Commentary: A significant step toward lasting peace in the South China Sea

The latest developments in the South China Sea illustrate a desire for regional peace as well as a rebuke of foreign meddling./南中国海的最新发展表明了对地区和平的渴望以及对外国干涉的谴责

On Thursday, China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) arrived at a single negotiating text draft for the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea. This marks a big step toward a peaceful resolution of their disputes./周四，中国和10个成员国的东南亚国家联盟（东盟）达成了南海行为准则（COC）的单一谈判文本草案。这标志着和平解决争端迈出了一大步。

This significant progress, as Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has put it, is akin to jointly building a house. China and ASEAN have integrated 11 different designs into one and readied the groundwork./正如中国国务委员兼外交部长王毅所说，这一重大进展类似于共同建房。中国和东盟已将11种不同的设计融为一体，并为其奠定了基础

The consensus for future COC negotiations came one year after the COC framework was endorsed, and notably, 16 years after the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) was signed./在COC框架获得批准的一年后，特别是在签署“南海各方行为宣言”（DOC）16年后，对未来COC谈判的共识达成了共识。

There were plenty of bumps along the road, too, mostly due to foreign interference; yet those efforts failed to kill the common aspiration of those involved to establish a necessary order, one that would facilitate regional cooperation and prosperity./沿路也有很多颠簸，主要是由于外来的干扰;然而，这些努力未能扼杀有关各方建立必要秩序的共同愿望，这种秩序将促进区域合作和繁荣。

The agreement illustrates that a longing for peace outweighs any outstanding differences between the parties. It defeats attempts by non-regional countries to mislead public opinion, provoke confrontation and create tension; dialogue and consultation have proven better at settling disputes than outside meddling./该协议表明，对和平的渴望超过了双方之间的任何悬而未决的分歧。它打败了非区域国家企图误导公众舆论，挑起对抗和制造紧张局势;事实证明，对话和协商在纠正纠纷方面比在外界干预方面更好。

By staying immune to external interference, China and ASEAN have accomplished a basic set of regulations to guide behavior in the South China Sea. One cannot dismiss their will to create regional rules while thwarting attempts by outsiders eager to play God./
中国和东盟通过不受外部干扰，已经完成了一套基本的法规来指导南海的行为。人们不能忽视他们制定地区规则的意愿，同时阻止渴望扮演上帝的外人的企图。

This big step forward is a solid starting point toward creating a South China Sea brimming with peace and cooperation. China's most advanced maritime rescue vessels have been on duty in the region ready to help passing ships and will offer scientific, research or meteorological assistance in the future when needed. In October, China and ASEAN will hold a joint maritime exercise./向前迈出的这一大步，是建立充满和平与合作的南中国海的坚实起点。中国最先进的海上救援船只在该地区值班，准备帮助过往船只，并在将来需要时提供科学，研究或气象援助。 10月，中国与东盟将举行联合海上演习。

The above developments show the ability of regional parties to initiate their own attempts to jointly address security challenges and safeguard regional stability.
上述发展表明，区域各方有能力发起自己共同应对安全挑战和维护地区稳定的企图。

Differences are normal, but countries around the South China Sea are capable of properly settling their disputes through consultation and without the interference of outsiders.差异是正常的，但南海周边国家有能力通过协商妥善解决纠纷，不受外界干涉。

As long as China and the countries of ASEAN work hand in hand, the South China Sea will continue to be ruled by peace and cooperation.只要中国和东盟国家携手合作，南海将继续受到和平与合作的统治。