Senior Chinese army officer to visit US

BEIJING - Qi Jianguo, a senior officer of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA), will visit the United States for a defense consultation next month, it has been announced.

On the invitation of the U.S. Department of Defense, Qi, deputy chief of the PLA General Staff Headquarters, will lead a delegation to the United States on December 12 for the 13th defense consultation between the two countries' defense ministries, said Geng Yansheng, spokesman for China's Ministry of Defense, on Thursday.

The two parties will exchange opinions on issues including the two countries' military ties, maritime military security, international and regional matters and other topics of mutual concern, Geng said at a regular press conference.

According to Geng, the armed forces of the two countries will hold a joint drill on humanitarian rescue and disaster relief between Thursday and Friday in China's Sichuan Province to exchange experience in this field and discuss measures for joint relief operations.

The drill will also help to enhance mutual military trust between the two countries and promote practical cooperation, Geng said.

The spokesman also revealed that during a recent visit by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to China, the two sides reached agreement on further China-Russia cooperation in military technologies.

They agreed that the cooperation will not involve the targeting of any specific third party and is beneficial to international and regional peace and stability, Geng said.

He added that China will not take the release of photos by the U.S. military about a recent U.S.-Japan military drill very seriously.

China opposes measures to increase regional tensions, but welcomes such disclosure as it helps to enhance military transparency, Geng said.