Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie will pay an official visit to the United States from May 4 to 10, at the invitation of the U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, the Defense Ministry announced here on Wednesday.

During the visit, Liang will meet with state and military leaders of the United States, and hold talks as well as a joint press conference with Panetta, according to a press release of the Defense Ministry.

Liang will also visit the U.S. Southern Command, Fort Benning of the U.S. Army, Naval Base San Diego, the 4th Fighter Wing of U.S. Air Force, II Marine Expeditionary Force of U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Military Academy at West Point, said the press release.

Liang said in the press release that he looks forward to the upcoming U.S. visit, which aims to implement the consensus of the two countries' leaders on building a cooperative partnership of mutual respect and benefit.

The visit is also expected to enhance mutual understanding and trust, promote cooperation, and push forward the healthy and stable development of bilateral ties as well as military ties, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 2, 2012)