On May 19, 2016, Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin met with the US media delegation consisting of senior writer for Newsweek Jonathan Broder, Associate Managing Editor of Chicago Tribune Cristi Kempf, Deputy Editorial Page Editor of Los Angeles Times Jon Healey and others. Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin introduced the historical course of the South China Sea issue, the background of the South China Sea arbitration case initiated by the Philippines as well as others, and answered questions related to the US-launched "Freedom of Navigation Program" in the South China Sea, how does China cope with the arbitral award, the influence of the South China Sea issue to China-US relations and other topics.

The Chinese visit of the US media delegation was arranged by China-US Exchange Foundation. Vice President of Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs Chen Naiqing attended the meeting.

(fmprc.gov.cn May 24, 2016)