China, U.S. exchanging visits by senior military officials

By CNN Military Affairs Correspondent Jamie McIntyre

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In a pair of low-profile visits, a senior Chinese military official visited the Pentagon on Tuesday, while the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff prepared to leave for Beijing.

Gen. Yu Yongbo, a member of China's Central Military Commission, the body controlling China's 2.5 million member army, is heading a delegation visiting the United States between October 25 and November 4.

William Cohen, the U.S. secretary of defense, hosted an honor cordon ceremony to welcome Yu to the Pentagon on Tuesday morning, but there was no event scheduled where the news media could ask questions.

The visit to China by Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Hugh Shelton later this week is expected to be equally low profile, with no public events planned.

Shelton is scheduled to meet with top Chinese officials, and deliver an address to members of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

Yu is director of the PLA General Political Department and is responsible for political education, welfare and morale of PLA officers and troops.

The Pentagon said his visit is part of a program to build mutual confidence and trust between American and Chinese armed forces.

"Such visits are designed to promote understanding and prevent miscalculations between our two militaries," a Pentagon statement says.

Yu is the highest-ranking PLA official to visit the United States this year. China hosted Cohen this past July.

The Pentagon says Yu has asked to visit ordinary military bases to better understand how the average American service member lives.

Yu and his delegation will be visiting bases around the United States including West Point, New York; Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C.; Fort Jackson, South Carolina; and Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, to view life in the services.

He will also do some sightseeing, viewing popular tourist sites and monuments.

He will conclude his visit in Hawaii where he will visit the U.S. Pacific Command.

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