Chinese defense minister to visit India this year

BEIJING - Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe will pay an official goodwill visit to India this year, the Ministry of National Defense announced Thursday.

The ministry's spokesperson Ren Guoqiang said at a press conference that Wei was invited by Indian Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, adding that defense departments of the two countries are discussing issues related to the visit.

Lieutenant general Liu Xiaowu, deputy commander of the Western Theater Command, led a border defense delegation to visit India between July 2 and 6 for meetings and talks with Indian military officials, Ren said.

During the visit, the two sides have reached consensus on several topics, including implementing the consensus reached by state leaders of both countries, strengthening border risk management and control, expanding joint exercises and training at the tactical level, enhancing cultural and sports exchanges, as well as jointly safeguarding peace and stability in the border areas, Ren said.