China denies seeking US admiral’s ouster: FM

Admiral Harry Harris (file photo)

China on Monday denied urging the US to fire its Pacific Command chief, Admiral Harry Harris, in return for pressure on North Korea, calling it "pure rumor and no need to refute."

Japan's Kyodo News reported on Saturday that China urged the US to sack the head of its Pacific Command in return for exerting more pressure on North Korea amid concerns over its growing nuclear and missile threats, citing a source close to China-US ties.

The report quoted the source as saying China requested through its ambassador to the US, Cui Tiankai, to dismiss Harris, known as a hardliner on China. It was reported that US President Donald Trump rejected the offer.

Japan's Kyodo News reported on Saturday that China urged the US to sack the head of its Pacific Command  (file photo)

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang told the Global Times at Monday's regular press conference that "Kyodo News is a large media organization which usually values its reputation. However, as far as that report is concerned, I have no idea whether they were too naive to believe that it is possible for China and the US to discuss US military personnel issues on diplomatic occasions, or the agency rushed to attract public attention by spreading rumors to win readership," Geng said.

Admiral Harris is the first ranking Japanese-American to be promoted to the rank of admiral by the previous Obama administration.