Chinese general says military measures must not become an option on Korean peninsula

CGTN photo

Fan Changlong, the vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, said that military measures must not become an option on the Korean Peninsula, at his meeting with visiting Gen. Joseph Dunford in Beijing on Thursday.

Fan hailed the increased military communication between the two countries, and the buildup of healthy and stable military relations.

Fan Changlong (5th R), the vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, takes a group photo with visiting top US general Joseph Dunford (5th L). /CGTN Photo

However, he pointed out that the United States' intervention in Taiwan issues, the deployment of the THAAD system in South Korea, as well as activities in the South China Sea have brought about negative influences on bilateral ties.

Regarding the Korean Peninsula situation, Fan said that dialogue is the only and effective way to solve the issue. He added that military action should not be one of the choices.

General Joseph Dunford has a meeting with Fan Changlong in Beijing./ CGTN Photo

For General Dunford's part, he thanked China for its assistance in searching for a US navy sailor recently in the South China Sea. He also said the US military is willing to promote practical cooperation with China's military sector.

It's Dunford's first visit to China in his position as the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff. Earlier in the current visit to China, he said the two sides had a lot of thorny issues to work through.