Mattis looks forward to Chinese defense minister's visit to US

WASHINGTON - US Secretary of Defense James Mattis said Tuesday that he looks forward to continuing talks with his Chinese counterpart in Washington this year.

"We look forward to hosting him. I personally look forward to hosting my counterpart from Beijing," Mattis told reporters at the Pentagon.

"I just got back from a visit there, as you know. And we had very good discussions and I look forward to continuing those," Mattis said, referring to his June visit to Beijing, where he met with top Chinese officials.

A spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense said Mattis and his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe "have reached important understandings about how to improve military exchanges at all levels, enhance mutual trust, advance concrete cooperation and manage risks."

Wei accepted the formal invitation Mattis had extended to visit Washington later this year, the spokesperson confirmed.

Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai said in July that Shen Jinlong, commander of the Chinese Navy, will accompany Wei on his visit.