On 19 April 2018, President Wu Shicun met with U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad and Mrs. Branstad, who were visiting at the NISCSS along with an American diplomatic delegation. The two sides exchanged views on issues of mutual concern such as the current situation of the South China Sea, freedom of navigation and over flight as well as lawful uses of the sea based on respect for international law, peaceful solutions to regional disputes as well as the consultation and negotiation of the South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC).