Q: On July 16, the Spokesperson of the US State Department said that the US welcomes China's announcement of the relocation of HYSY 981 oil rig from waters off the Xisha Islands to an area closer to Hainan Island, but would not "speculate on China's reasons for withdrawing its rig". She also said that the US supports "relevant parties adopting a voluntary freeze on provocative unilateral actions in support of further implementation of the 2002 code of conduct for the South China Sea between China and ASEAN". What is China's comment on that?

A: The HYSY 981 drilling rig has completed successfully its operation in waters off the Zhongjian Island of China's Xisha Islands and moved on to a new operation site near Hainan Island. Everything follows relevant company's normal plan of operation at sea and has nothing to do with any external factor.

While firmly upholding national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, China stays committed to maintaining peace and stability of the South China Sea. We hope that relevant country can be objective and fair on relevant issues.