(CNN) America's top general said Thursday that Google's work in China "is indirectly benefiting the Chinese military."

"The work that Google is doing in China is indirectly benefiting the Chinese military and I've been very public on this issue as well," Gen. Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said while testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

"We watch with great concern when industry partners work in China knowing that there is that indirect benefit and frankly indirect may be not a full characterization of the way it really is, it's more of a direct benefit to the Chinese military," Dunford added.

Dunford has long questioned why US-based tech firms have resisted working with the Department of Defense while simultaneously doing business with geopolitical competitors like China.

CNN previously reported that Google intended to end its cooperation with the Pentagon on several projects, including the Project Maven program which used artificial intelligence to enhance military drone operations following complaints from employees.

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