中文摘要：

根据历史文献、考古和科学考察成果,结合中国南海断续线内的南海诸岛及其海域的自然、历史和现状,阐述中国南海称谓的历史演变,认为＂南海＂、＂涨海＂向为这一海区整体命名的主流,且从未间断,符合＂名从主人＂原则;而南海四大群岛,基于它们共同的地质、地形、气候、生物等自然地理条件,由从潮州出发的三条地脉将四大群岛联成相对独立又是一个整体的地理单元。不仅如此,历代中国政府通过在南海地区设置郡县等政区、建立巡海水军和相应的海防设施等作为一种军事存在及其有效运作,显示南海诸岛是一个完整的政治实体,中国政府对其拥有无可置疑的领土主权。而历代中国人从事渔业、航海等经济活动都离不开以南海诸岛海域为基本平台和依托,进一步验证南海诸岛与中国大陆有不可分割的联系。

英文摘要：

According to historical documents, archaeological findings and scientific exploration, combi- ning nature, history and current status of the South China Sea islands and its waters within the Nine-dot- ted Lines, the paper describes the historical evolution of the names of the South China Sea and considers the ＂South China Sea＂ and ＂High tide Sea＂ to be the main names for the area, which is in line with ＂name after the master＂ principle. The four South China Sea Islands, based on their common geology, topogra- phy, climate, biology and other natural and geographical conditions, are linked into relatively independent but is a whole geographical unit by the three veins of the earth starting from Chaozhou. Moreover, the ancient Chinese government setting up the county administrative region in the South China Sea, establis- hing navy and corresponding military facilities as a military presence and the effective operation shows the South China Sea islands are a complete political entity and the Chinese government has no doubt its territo- rial sovereignty. The ancient Chinese people engaged in fishing, sailing and other economic activities de- pends on the South China Sea islands and waters as the basic platform, further validates the South China Sea islands and mainland China is inextricably linked.