Top Chinese Feneral Fang Fenghui has toured an American aircraft carrier at the start of his US visit. Fang is the Chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. Shortly after his arrival in San Diego on Tuesday, he visited the nuclear-powered USS Ronald Reagan at a base of the US Third Fleet. His escort was the head of the US Pacific Command, Admiral Samuel Locklear.

General Fang is scheduled to visit the National Defense University in Washington on Wednesday. He will meet his US counterpart, Martin Dempsey, at the Pentagon on Thursday. The two generals will hold a joint press briefing afterwards. General Fang will wrap up his tour at the US State Army Forces Command in North Carolina. The visit is part of efforts by the two countries to improve military ties. It's also an opportunity to address hot issues on regional security and stability. Last month, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel visited China and toured the Liaoning aircraft carrier.