US Defense Secretary to visit China

US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel (R) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff US Army General Martin Dempsey (L) testify before the House Armed Services Committee hearing on "The FY2015 National Defense Authorization Budget Request from the Department of Defense" on Capitol Hill in Washington March 6, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

BEIJING - US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel will visit China from April 7 to 10, a Defense Ministry spokesman announced on Thursday.

Hagel is invited by Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Chang Wanquan, Geng Yansheng told a monthly press briefing.

Chinese leaders will hold meetings and talks with Hagel to exchange views on bilateral relations as well as on international and regional issues of common concern, Geng said.

Hagel will visit the People's Liberation Army troops and academy. The detailed itinerary is still being discussed, the spokesman said.