Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe, left, greets US Defense Secretary Mark Esper in Bangkok on Monday. Robert Burns/ AP

China has urged the US military to “stop flexing muscles” in the disputed South China Sea.

A spokesman for the Chinese ministry of defense told reporters in Bangkok that Beijing wants the US to halt what he called “provocations” in the South China Sea.

The spokesman, Col. Wu Qian, spoke to reporters on Monday after the Chinese minister of defense, Gen. Wei Fenghe, met with US Defense Minister Mark Esper on the margins of an Asia defense officials conference.

In brief remarks afterward, Esper said they made progress and agreed to hold frequent follow-up talks.

Associated Press