China urges Australia to be cautious on S. China sea issue

Vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission Fan Changlong (2nd R) meets with Mark Binskin (2nd L), chief of the Australian Defence Force, and Dennis Richardson (1st L), secretary of Australia's Department of Defence, who were here for the 19th China-Australia Defence Strategic Dialogue, in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 12, 2016. (Photo: Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

China on Wednesday urged Australia to be cautious in word and actions regarding the South China Sea issue.

Vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission Fan Changlong made the remarks during a meeting with Mark Binskin, chief of the Australian Defence Force, and Dennis Richardson, secretary of Australia's Department of Defence, who were in Beijing for the 19th China-Australia Defence Strategic Dialogue.

Hailing the success of the defense strategic dialogue mechanism, Fan said the two militaries have made frequent high-level exchanges and deepened cooperation in areas including joint military drills.

China hopes to push forward the healthy and stable development of bilateral military ties, he said.

Binskin and Richardson told Fan that Australia is willing to enhance communication and expand military cooperation with China.