United States Pacific Commander Visits China

The Commander of the United States Pacific Command, Admiral Harry Harris is currently in China for talks with Chinese defence officials, amid tensions over issues concerning the South China Sea.

Harris's visit comes as the US naval destroyer USS Lassen sailed within 12 nautical miles of Zhubi Reef in the South China Sea last week, without notifying the Chinese government.

The intrusion prompted strong protests by the Chinese side.

The Chinese Defense Ministry earlier revealed that Admiral Harris' visit was pre-scheduled before the incident.

But experts note that such direct dialogues will help the two countries to manage differences.

Military observer Zhang Junshe.

"Admiral Harris is coming to China as part of the annual exchanges plan between the two military forces. It is pre-set. But at a time when the US dispatched their ship into the South China Sea without permission from Beijing's permission, his visit shows that the two sides both have the consensus on how to manage the differences in a constructive manner, both having the wiliness to contain the contradiction. And I think that is the main goal for his time in China. "

It's been reported that Admiral Harry Harris will spend three days in China.

Revealed topics for discussion include personnel exchanges between the two forces and China's participation in the 'Rim of the Pacific' military drill.