Article Posted on : - May 17, 2011

Chinese Army Chief Chen Bingde.

WASHINGTON (PTI): The United States has laid out a red carpet welcome for visiting Chinese Army chief Chen Bingde - the first of its kind in seven years, which the Pentagon believes would be a key step forward in establishing mutual trust and reduce tension between the two countries.

Chen, who arrived in the US on Sunday evening, would be given a ceremonial welcome on Tuesday.

The Chinese army chief would tour four military bases, and meet top officials including his counterpart Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Defense Secretary Robert Gates; Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; and National Security Advisor Tom Donilon.

Besides meeting key lawmakers at the Capitol Hill, he would also deliver a keynote speech at the prestigious National Defense University.

There was a band exchange between the China's People's Liberation Army and the US Army at the prestigious Kennedy Center on Monday.

This is the first ever US visit of the PLA Military Band since the two countries forged diplomatic relations in 1979.

Pentagon officials said Chen will visit Naval Station Norfolk, Fort Stewart, Nellis Air Force Base and the US Army's National Training Center.

The visit of the top Chinese general comes in less than a week of the third Strategic and Economic Dialogue between the United States and China.