Concluding Speech at the Commemoration of 70th Anniversary of China’s Recovery of the Xisha and Nansha Islands

ADM Miao Hua

Political Commissar, Chinese PLA Navy

Comrades and friends,

The keynote speech of ADM WU Shengli reviewed the development and utilization of the Xisha and Nansha islands by the Chinese nation since long time ago, elaborated the profound meaning of the recovery of these islands, and proposed 4 initiatives which reiterated the Chinese government’s consistent position. The veterans and witness recalled to us the hardships in the recovery 70 years ago, while experts and scholars approached, from angles of history, reality, and jurisprudence, the rationality, legitimacy, and justice of Chinese government’s claim of rights and interests in the South China Sea, and gave valuable advices on maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea. Having gone through all the vicissitudes, the Chinese nation, working with stamina for a prosperous country, has turned to a new page of managing the ocean and safeguarding maritime rights and interests under the leadership of Chinese Communist Party. On the way forward, we will be ready to shoulder historical responsibility and forged ahead with continuous effort to contribute more to the sustained peace, stability, and development of the South China Sea.

Our resolution and confidence to build a maritime power is unswerving and unbreakable. Countries prosper by resorting to the ocean, and decline as turning away from it. As a country with vast sea territory, China has extensive strategic interests at sea. In history we created the glory of “maritime silk road”, and also, suffered bitterness caused by the ban on maritime trade. Learning lessons from history and looking forward into the future, the CCP made a strong call for building the country into a maritime power. Along with the fulfilling of the dream to rejuvenate the nation, the survival and development, security and interests, and hope and future of China rely increasingly on the ocean. We will pursue unswervingly a way of development that enriches and prospers the country by relying on the ocean, sustains harmony between human and ocean, and creates win-win results by cooperative effort to promote the building of a maritime power and make effort to benefit Chinese people and the world people as a whole with a more broad prosperity.

Our resolution and confidence to safeguard maritime rights and interests is unswerving and unbreakable. Sea power has always been a key factor to decide the destiny of a maritime country or nation whether in the past or at present. As of complicate historical reasons, the surrounding waters, particularly the South China Sea, see the most acute maritime disputes, most fierce competition for resource, and most complicate geo-politics. The Chinese people always love peace, and advocate and pursue a way of peaceful development. The Chinese government, in line with the principle of shelving differences and seeking joint development while recognizing China’s sovereignty over the island”, is willing to increase security dialogue with relevant parties, so that to improve communication and coordination, narrow divergences, and clear misperception. Meanwhile, we would never give up legitimate rights and interests, not to mention sacrificing national core interests. We always hope to explore and expand convergence of interests by enhancing cooperation so that to create conditions for solving maritime issues.

Our resolution and confidence to build a strong navy is unswerving and unbreakable. Navy gives important strategic support to maritime undertakings and ocean management. The building of a strong navy of the people bears the high expectation of Chinese people and is a long cherished wish of the nation since last century. Since its establishment 60 years ago, the Chinese navy has grown from an inshore to a offshore force and finally proceeded into the ocean. It has offered strong support to defending national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, as well as ensuring the peaceful development of the country. And in areas of maritime search and rescue, disaster relief, navigation safety, etc., the Chinese navy also has made significant contribution in fulfilling international responsibility and obligation. To develop a harmonious ocean is the common goal of human. By building a strong navy of the people, we are aimed at safeguarding with perseverance our national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and contributing more to world peace. By building a strong navy, we will rise against hegemony, uphold justice, deter war, and safeguard peace. By building a strong navy, we can maintain more effectively our legitimate rights and interests at sea, boom marine economy, benefit mankind and profit the globe. To build a strong navy, we will never seek hegemony or expansion at sea.

Comrades and friends,

The South China Sea bridges China with neighboring countries as well as bonds us in maintaining peace, friendship, cooperation and development. To realize peace and stability as well as prosperity in the region is the common wish and shared responsibility of people of China and the neighboring countries, and in line with the common interests of relevant countries. Let’s unite in a concerted effort to build the South China Sea as a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.