Direct negotiation key to resolving disputes: Xi

President Xi Jinping addresses the opening ceremony of the fifth foreign ministers' meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Beijing, April 28, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

President Xi Jinping, when speaking on the South China Sea issue on Thursday, said that China "upholds peacefully resolving disputes through friendly consultation and negotiation with countries directly concerned".

Xi made the remarks when he was addressing the fifth foreign ministers' meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Beijing.

The President noted that recently, "various parties have been concerned about the South China Sea issue".

"I would like to stress that China is consistently committed to ensuring peace and stability in the South China Sea region," he said.

China "unswervingly safeguards its own sovereignty and relevant rights and interests in the South China Sea, and upholds peacefully resolving disputes through friendly consultation and negotiation directly with countries directly concerned", Xi added.

"The Chinese side is ready for joint efforts with the ASEAN countries in building a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation out of the South China Sea," Xi said.