On 27 May 2016, NISCSS President Wu Shicun attended the 91st press salon hosted by All-China Journalists' Association and delivered a lecture on the current situation in the South China Sea and the challenges facing China.

As President Wu pointed out, South China Sea issues can be attributed to disputes among China, Chinese Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei over sovereignty and maritime jurisdiction in part of the Spratlys. The involvement of extra-regional powers and some disputants’ attempts to maximize and consolidate their illegal gains have made the South China Sea issues evolve into an intense game concerning geopolitics, control of navigational channels and development of natural resources. China has been dedicated to maintaining peace and stability as well as safety and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. China has been committed to resolving disputes through dialogue and consultation. China has been advocating the principle of shelving disputes for joint development and dual-track approach.

President Wu also answered questions from the journalists on China’s South China Sea policy, land reclamation in par of the Spratlys, the role of the U.S. and Taiwan on South China Sea issues, consultation on code of conduct in the South China Sea and the maritime silk road in the 21st century.

Present at the press salon were over 160 representatives of Chinese and foreign leading media and foreign diplomatic agencies in China. The press salon was chaired by Mr. Zhu Shouchen, the Executive Secretary of All-China Journalists Association.

The press salon is targeted for Chinese and foreign journalists as well as foreign diplomatic envoys, and it is designed to elaborate on Chinese policy and guide public opinion.

After the end of the press salon, President Wu was also interviewed by Eunice Yoon, senior journalist with CNBC.