OREANDA-NEWS  China supports solutions that promote stability on the Korean peninsula. This is how Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian commented on the statement by US President Donald Trump on reducing the scale of military exercises with South Korea, Xinhua reports.

"China has taken note of the relevant reports. Maintaining peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and promoting a political settlement of the peninsula problem are in the common interests of all parties," the diplomat said.

Earlier, Trump instructed the head of the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, to reduce the scale of joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea, as they send a "completely inappropriate hostile signal" to the DPRK. According to the American leader, he has developed "very good relations" with the head of the North Korean republic, Kim Jong-un.

South Korea is one of the key allies, and there is a mutual defense treaty between the two countries. The South Korean side said it was studying Trump's statement, which turned out to be "unexpected" for it.

The joint exercises of the United States and South Korea called "Ulchi Freedom Shield" are scheduled for August 17 and will last 11 days.