Dempsey to Host Chinese Defense Leader at Pentagon

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 13, 2014 – China’s chief of defense is touring American facilities today and will meet with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff tomorrow as part of the push to strengthen military-to-military ties between the countries.

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey invited People’s Liberation Army Gen. Fang Fenghui for a five-day visit to the United States. Fang is the chief of the general staff of the largest military on Earth.

The general -- who took office in 2012 -- arrived in Los Angeles last night, and is touring the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and littoral combat ship USS Coronado in San Diego today. In California, Fang also is meeting with U.S. Pacific Command commander Navy Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III.

Tomorrow, Fang will tour the Marine Corps Recruit Depot before boarding a plane to come to Washington.

Dempsey will host Fang at the Pentagon on May 15. The Chinese general will receive a full-military-honors arrival ceremony, and, following meetings, will participate in a joint news conference with Dempsey.

The next day, Fang will travel to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, before wrapping up his travel with meetings in New York.

“General Dempsey looks forward to the opportunity to meet again with General Fang and continue their conversation on improving the U.S.-China [military-to-military] relationship,” Joint Staff officials said.