Defence Minister General Liang Guanglie will embark on an official week-long visit to the United States tomorrow, state media reported yesterday.
As China's fifth-highest-ranking military official, Liang will meet US state and military leaders before talks with US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta and a joint press conference, Xinhua said, citing an announcement by China's Defence Ministry.
Liang is also expected to visit the US Southern Command, the US Army's Fort Benning, the Naval Base San Diego, the 4th Fighter Wing of the US Air Force, the II Marine Expeditionary Force and the US Military Academy at West Point, the state news agency said.
The visit is also expected to enhance mutual understanding and trust, promote co-operation, and push forward the healthy and stable development of bilateral ties, as well as military ties, Liang said.
He met US acting Undersecretary of Defence James Miller in Beijing yesterday, noting that frequent high-level visits have promoted the building of a co-operative partnership of mutual respect and benefits between the two countries.
Liang also urged the two sides to expand common interests and resolve differences, so as to ensure the sound and stable development of bilateral military relations.