On May 24, 2016, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met the press after attending the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Tashkent.

A reporter asked that some countries are planning to put pressure on China regarding the South China Sea issue, while the press communiqué issued by the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers expressed support for China's stance on the South China Sea issue. How does China view these two different voices?

Wang Yi pointed out that the press communiqué issued by the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers specially expounded its stance on the South China Sea issue. All Foreign Ministers emphasized that countries concerned should peacefully resolve all relevant disputes through friendly negotiation and consultation. We are against internationalizing the issue or external interference, and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), along with all articles of the Guidelines for the Implementation of the DOC must be observed. Besides, SCO Secretary-General also issued a separate statement and expressed his support for China's stance on the South China Sea issue and efforts made by Chinese government to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea region.

Wang Yi stressed that the message of the meeting is very clear: first, territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests disputes should be resolved through negotiation and consultation by parties concerned, rather than bringing it to the international arena; second, external force has no right to intervene the sovereignty and maritime rights and interests disputes over the Nansha Islands; third, all signing parties of the DOC must abide by its provision that countries directly concerned should resolve disputes peacefully through negotiation and consultation.

Wang Yi pointed out that facts will tell and justice will prevail. The reason why China's stance on the South China Sea issue is getting support and understanding from more countries is that it goes in line with the international law, truly maintains the international rule of law, and upholds the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as well as the right of a sovereign state to choose its own way of disputes settlement, while honoring the commitment of China and ASEAN countries and performing its obligations as a responsible country.

Wang Yi also stressed that any country that ignores basic facts, draws lines for allies or intentionally sparks political exploitation over the South China Sea issue will not gain any support, but will only destroy its own reputation and end up with nothing.