Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun

In response to a question about South Africa's defense ministry reportedly stating on Thursday local time that it had requested China to postpone joint naval exercises with China and other countries originally scheduled during the G20 summit in South Africa, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Friday, "Regarding the specific issues you mentioned, I suggest you refer them to the relevant Chinese authorities."

China supports South Africa in its role as this year's G20 presidency, the spokesperson said.