Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hong Lei held a press conference on May 22, 2013.

Q: It is reported that Choe Ryong Hae, special envoy of DPRK supreme leader Kim Jong-un and Director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army is visiting China. Please give us some details.

A: Choe Ryong Hae, member of Politburo Presidium of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), started his visit to China today as the special envoy of Kim Jong-un, the first Secretary of the WPK. Wang Jiarui, Vice-Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China met with him in Beijing on May 22. During his visit, the two sides will exchange views on the situation of the Korean Peninsula as well as issues of common interest.

I want to point out that China is committed to the denuclearization, peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the settlement of relevant issue through dialogue and consultation. China will unswervingly push ahead with the Six-Party Talks and bring about lasting peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia.

Q: Spokesperson of the Philippine Foreign Ministry said on May 21 that the Philippine side had protested to the Chinese side about the recent entry of Chinese warships and maritime surveillance ships into waters off the Ren'ai Reef. The Philippine side claimed that China violated its sovereignty and international law. What is China's comment?

A: The Ren'ai Reef is part of the Nansha Islands. China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and their adjacent waters. It is beyond reproach that Chinese government vessels carry out normal patrol in relevant waters. China urges relevant country to follow through on the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and refrain from taking actions that complicate and aggravate the dispute and spoil peace and stability of the South China Sea.

Q: Incoming Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif recently expressed the willingness of improving India-Pakistan relations. What is China's comment?

A: We have noted the recent positive momentum of the improvement of India-Pakistan relations as well as remarks by leaders of the two countries on improving bilateral relations. Both India and Pakistan are major South Asian countries. Their relations bear on peace, stability and development of South Asia. As a friendly neighbour to India and Pakistan, China sincerely hopes to see the improvement of their relations, which will contribute to regional peace, stability and development.