Jiang made the remarks at a regular press conference in response to questions on relevant report by a Hong Kong newspaper. The Tai Kung Pao reported in its online edition that production is under way at the Chunxiao gas field, and natural gas is now being supplied to Ningbo and Shaoxing cities in east China's coastal Zhejiang Province.

    Jiang said she doesn't know the report, but China's oil and gas exploration is conducted in undisputed areas.

    As for when China and Japan will hold the next round of East China Sea consultation, Jiang said the two sides haven't fixed a date, but China holds an open attitude toward a new round of meeting.

    China always stands for dialogues and consultations to solve the disputes on demarcation in the East China Sea, she said.

    So far, six rounds of consultation have been convened between China and Japan. At the sixth round, the two sides agreed to maintain the consultation process in the future.