(CFP)

Fang Fenghui, Chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), paid a visit to the United States on May 13, starting with a tour of an American aircraft carrier. Shortly after his arrival in San Diego, Fang visited the nuclear-powered USS Ronald Reagan at a base of the U.S. Third Fleet, escorted by the head of the U.S. Pacific Command, Admiral Samuel Locklear.

As an effort by the two countries to improve military ties, Fang's visit would feature a tour of the National Defense University in Washington D.C., a meeting with his U.S. counterpart Martin Dempsey at the Pentagon and a visit to the U.S. State Army Forces Command in North Carolina, according to the published schedule.

Fang, who has served in the PLA since 1968, was appointed to his current position in 2012.