Analysis: Lieutenant General Cai Yingting's United States visit signals promotion
Cai Yingting, who is on the second high-level PLA tour in recent months, is seen to become chief of general staff after party congress
A visit to America by a rising star in the People's Liberation Army, amid increased tensions between China and its neighbours over territorial disputes in the East China and South China seas, is likely to herald his further promotion.
Lieutenant General Cai Yingting , one of six deputy chiefs of general staff, began his tour on Monday, Xinhua said.
It is the second high-ranking visit to the United States by PLA top brass in recent months, following a visit by Defence Minister General Liang Guanglie , a member of the Central Military Commission (CMC), in early May.
China Daily said the delegation Cai heads would visit the US army base at Fort Hood, Texas, and other military facilities.
The tour is being seen as a prelude to the further promotion of Cai, 58, following the Communist Party's 18th national congress later this year.
Two lieutenant generals who accompanied Cai are viewed as strong contenders to become commanders of one of the seven military commands in a reshuffle expected after the party congress. The two men are Wang Ning , the 57-year-old chief of staff of the Beijing military command, and Jia Xiaowei , the 59-year-old chief of staff of the Guangzhou command.