On 24 June 2016, NISCSS President Wu Shicun attended a press conference held by Japan National Press Club in Tokyo and shared his ideas on the historical dimensions of South China Sea issues, the current situation in the South China Sea and China's South China Sea policy.

As President Wu remarked, the essence of the South China Sea issues is a dispute among China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei concerning territorial sovereignty and maritime jurisdiction. In recent years, with the intervention of extra-regional countries and unilateral acts by regional countries, the challenges in the South China Sea have spread and we have seen the transformation of South China Sea issues from a problem of territorial disputes and maritime claims to a game over geopolitics, resource development and channel management and control. China is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea, maintaining security and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, and settling disputes through dialogue and consultation. China also advocates the principle of setting aside disputes to pursue joint development, and dual-track approach. China has made a great effort to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. China's active efforts to frame rules and mechanisms in the South China Sea have contributed to dispute management. China's land reclamation is mainly used for peaceful purposes, and providing public goods for the international community. As regards the arbitration unilaterally initiated by the Philippines against China, President Wu elaborated on Chinese stance.

Wu also answered questions on China's rights and obligations as a member of the UNCLOS, possible ADIZ in the South China Sea, China-Japan relations, the situation in the East China Sea and China's South China Sea policy.

Present at the conference were over 50 representatives of foreign embassies in Tokyo as well as Chinese and Japanese leading news agencies, inlcuding Xinhua News Agency, Wen Wei Po, NHK, Asahi Shimbun, Yomiuri Shimbun. The press conference was chaired by Kenji Bando, editorial writer of the Mainichi Shimbun.

Minister Guo Yan and Minister-Counselor Rong Ying from Chinese embassy in Japan also attended the press conference.