Warm welcome awaits top US military officer

China 'attaches great importance' to Mullen's upcoming visit

BEIJING - Top US military officer Admiral Michael Mullen will receive a warm and high-level welcome when he starts his visit to China on Sunday, with his Chinese counterpart taking care of the arrangements in person.

"Chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Chen Bingde has examined and approved the schedule and arrangements for the visit in person, and called Admiral Mullen to discuss them," Ministry of National Defense spokesman Yang Yujun said on Thursday at a news conference on the visit.