China says US spends too much on its military

The United States is spending too much on its military "in light of its recent economic troubles," China's top general said Monday, while playing down his country's own military capabilities.

Agence France Presse reports the chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army, Chen Bingde, as saying that he thinks the U.S. should cut back on defense spending for the sake of its taxpayers.

He was speaking during a joint news conference with visiting U.S. counterpart, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, who is visiting China during an ongoing series of exchanges meant to boost relations.

The Chinese military cut off talks with the U.S. last year after Washington announced a $6 billion-plus arms deal with Taiwan, which China considers part of its sovereign territory.

Relations between China, the Philippines and Vietnam are also tense, amid territorial disputes play out over the resource-rich South China Sea. Mullen, on a four-day visit in China, on Sunday expressed concern the standoff could intensify, NDTV reports.

He also reportedly called on China to pressure its longtime ally, North Korea, to not carry out any more provocative actions that threaten the region — a reference to North Korea's recent nuclear tests, and its unveiling of a uranium enrichment program. Pyongyang is also accused of launching two recent attacks that killed 50 South Koreans.

The visit by Mullen, meantime, is the first of its kind in four years. Bingde's more provocative comments Monday included these:

"I know the U.S. is still recovering from the financial crisis. Under such circumstances, it is still spending a lot of money on its military and isn't that placing too much pressure on the taxpayers?"

And: "If the U.S. could reduce its military spending a bit and spend more on improving the livelihood of the American people, wouldn't that be a better scenario?" 

Bingde said he hoped "our American friends will understand the underlying logic of being more modest and prudent in words and deeds."