China again contends the best way to solve the malingering crisis in the South China Sea is for the United States to keep its nose out of this can of worms.

This reaffirmation was made in a more diplomatic tone by Lt. Gen. He Lei, vice president of the Academy of Military Science of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) at the ongoing 16th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, an Asia-focused defense summit of ministers and delegates from more than 50 countries discussing security challenges and opportunities in Asia.‎

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Gen. He surprisingly claims China has always believed that countries, big or small, are all equal, and issues should be settled equitably through consultation on the basis of equality.

"China has always worked to maintain, build and contribute to international and regional peace and has firmly followed the path of peaceful development although it is faced with multiple security challenges," said Gen. He.

He further claims China has striven to develop and improve friendly and cooperative relations with other countries in the Asia-Pacific. China and U.S. relations are developing positively and steadily

Gen. He also said China and Russia's comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination is progressing at a high level while the China and India strategic cooperative partnership (if there is one) deepening.

"In the spirit of regarding history as a mirror and looking forward into the future, China has been devoted to the continuous improvement and forward movement of China-Japan relations," said Gen. He.

China is also advocating "new thoughts" on settling complex hotspot issues in Asia.

"On the South China Sea issue, China puts forward and supports a 'dual-track approach,' namely peacefully resolving disputes through negotiation and consultation by countries directly concerned and jointly upholding peace and stability in this region by China and ASEAN countries."

"On the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, China has proposed a 'suspension-for-suspension' initiative, namely the suspension of Democratic People's Republic of Korea's nuclear and missile tests and the suspension of large-scale joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea, as well as a 'dual-track' mechanism, which is aimed to advance and achieve the two tracks of denuclearization and building a peace mechanism on the Korean Peninsula."

Tagschina, South China Sea, United States, Lt. Gen. He Lei