Normal military exchanges

Compared to the robust Sino-US trade ties and the frequent exchanges at official and people-to-people level, Sino-US military exchanges have remained dormant in recent years. But thanks to the efforts of both sides, Beijing and Washington are making headway in fixing this weak link in their bilateral relations.

A group of high-ranking Chinese military officers, led by Chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Chen Bingde, embarked on a week-long visit to the United States on Sunday.

At the invitation of his US counterpart Admiral Mike Mullen, Chen and his entourage, including prominent figures from different Chinese military sections, will visit US military facilities that have not been opened to visiting military leaders for years. This arrangement alone signals deepened mutual trust between the two militaries.