Second article, this time from Global Times, also a government owned news source:
Link:
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Translation:
"Recently due to Xi Jinping's speech regarding the fact that China will not compromise on her core interest, many foreigners interprete the speech as "hardline and aggressive". That is selective understanding without looking at the total context of the speech, which was peaceful development.
If any other national leaders stated they would protect their national interest, it would be the norm. However in China's case, it raised many foreign eyebrows, showing a different standard. If they had hoped China would sacrifice everything in the name of peaceful development, they are way wrong. China's peaceful development is not something they can hold us hostage to whenever they want a good deal from us.
In the past two years, there had been disputes with Philippines and Japan. In both cases, China did not initiate them. Dispute with Japan started after they unilaterally decided to "nationalize" the Diaoyu Islands. Troubles at Huangyan Island (Scarborough Shoal) began when Philippino navy attempted to harass and board Chinese fishing vessels. While China is the largest power in the region, it was also supporting the idea of putting aside arguments and co-development disputed areas. As long as the other parties do not provoke us, there will be no problem. If they do provoke us, then they should not expect us to be polite with them.
In the future, we cannot rule out the possibility of us taking a hardline stance. That is dependent on whether external forces decide to test our resolve. In the past, certain countries have overstepped their bounds against Chinese interest for too long. Now is the time for them to re-consider where China will draw the line."
