ABSTRACT
China's Ambassador to the US, Cui Tiankai, delivered a keynote speech on 16 April 2015, in Washington, DC, explaining China's actions in the South China Sea and its right to do so. Ambassador Cui said that China stands for peaceful settlement of disputes through diplomatic dialogue and negotiations. Together with ASEAN countries, China has proposed a 'dual-track approach' on the issue of South China Sea. China and ASEAN countries share much larger common interests in overall regional stability and prosperity, the bonds that unite us are much stronger and longer-lasting than any possible difference between us. On the maintenance and construction work that China is carrying out on some of the Nanshan islands and reefs, Ambassador Cui reiterated that such work is well within China's sovereignty. The main purpose is to improve the functions of facilities there so as to provide services to ships of China, neighboring countries and other countries that sail across the South China Sea.
