(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-01-13 19:29

Commander-in-Chief of the US Pacific Command Timothy Keating arrived in Beijing Sunday, starting his second China visit since taking office last March.

During his stay in Beijing, Keating will meet with senior Chinese army and government officials, including Guo Boxiong, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.

The two sides were expected to conduct wide exchange of views on Sino-US military ties, the Taiwan issue, and international and regional issues of common concern.

The four-day visit will also take Keating to the country's financial hub of Shanghai and Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, where Keating is scheduled to meet with officials from Guangzhou Military Area Command and visit military institutions and units.

Keating took the helm of the US forces in the Pacific in late March last year, replacing William Fallon.

The Chinese Ministry of National Defence said earlier that China takes positive attitude towards developing military relations with the United States, and hopes Keating's visit could further cement the Sino-US military ties during 2008.

Keating paid his first visit to China last May.

The US Pacific Command was established as a unified command on January 1, 1947, and it is the oldest and largest of the United States' unified commands.