China said Tuesday its stance on the East China Sea issue remained unchanged.

"On the demarcation of the East China Sea, China's stance of not recognizing the so-called 'median line' had not changed," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a regular press conference.

She stressed the Chunxiao gas field was within China's sovereign sphere and had nothing to do with common exploration.

China and Japan have held several rounds of talks on the East China Sea issue since 2004. The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Monday the consultation had "made important progress."

Jiang said China and Japan would announce the relevant agreement at an appropriate time once consensus was reached.

She stressed the two sides would, in accordance with the consensus of the leaders of the two countries on making the East China Sea a sea of peace, cooperation and friendliness, properly handle the relevant issues. The result would be mutually beneficial and a win-win deal.

(Xinhua News Agency June 18, 2008)