The US Pacific Command commander has not recently contacted his Chinese counterpart, despite the recent military provocation from North Korea.
Admiral Samuel Locklear told the Senate Arms Services Committee Tuesday that China is North Korea's main, if only, ally and influences North Korea's policies and could help tone down their neighbor's current hostile rhetoric.
"I would think that China could play a key role in influencing the bellicose rhetoric and restoring some more sense of calm to the peninsula," Locklear said while responding to questions from Senator Ayotte.
Locklear admitted that even with China's importance only the secretary of defense would handle military to military discussions with China. He assured the committee that there has been outreach, but he could not describe what that outreach entails.
China's military has recently confirmed that it is conducting military exercises on its border with North Korea.
