SINGAPORE, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Admiral Sun Jianguo, deputy chief of the Joint Staff Department of China's Central Military Commission, suggested on Friday that Australia should take a fair and objective stance on the South China Sea issue.
Sun held a meeting with Mark Binskin, chief of the Australian Defence Force, prior to the opening of the Shangri-La Dialogue, which is running from Friday to Sunday.
"China has maintained a consistent and clear policy on the South China Sea issue and we wish the Australian side to take a fair and objective stance," said the Chinese admiral.
He told the Australian defense chief that the two countries have seen a closer military relationship over the past several years.
"There have been more high-level reciprocal visits, joint training courses and in-depth institutional communication," said the Chinese official.
Sun hailed Australia's efforts in the search of the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.
Read the full story at Xinhua