Article Posted on : - Jul 10, 2011

BEIJING (PTI): Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff arrived here on a four-day visit.

Mullen is making the visit at the invitation of General Staff of the People's Liberation Army Chen Bingde.

Chen who visited US in May will hold talks with the US admiral and host him at a welcoming dinner.

A welcoming ceremony is slated for Monday ahead of their talks.

"The two sides will exchange views extensively on the further development of China-US military ties, the international and regional security situation and other issues that both are concerned with," Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun said earlier at a news briefing .

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping and other high ranking officials are expected to meet Mullen, sources said.

"The visit is an important issue for the military-to-military relations between the two countries", Yang said.

Mullen is scheduled to visit China's air force, army and navy as well as the second artillery force in Beijing, Shandong and Zhejiang, Xinhua reported.