DOD-China Meeting

Today's visit to the Pentagon by China's minister of national defense, Gen. Liang Guanglie, marks the first time in nine years that a Chinese defense minister has visited the building, a senior defense official told reporters. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta will meet with Liang, the official said, calling it a "very important visit" and not merely symbolic.

The official said the talks are aimed at boosting cooperation, building trust and reducing differences between the two countries. North Korea is likely to come up in discussions about regional security, the official said, noting potential U.S. arms sales to Taiwan and cybersecurity are also likely discussion topics. The official declined to provide an overview of the specific agenda for the session. Panetta and Liang will also dine together.

On May 5, Liang visited a naval base in San Diego, CA. He is also slated this week to visit U.S. Southern Command headquarters, FL; Camp Lejeune, NC; Ft. Benning, GA; Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, NC; and the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY.

Panetta looks forward to visiting Beijing, the senior defense official said.