China tours by Pentagon chiefs

7. November 2007, January 2011: Robert M. Gates

In his first visit to China, Gates called for greater transparency from the Chinese side on its strategic military motivations, decision-making, and key capabilities to avoid "misunderstanding and miscalculation".

"Our exercises have not been directed in any way at China. Rather they have been the result of our growing concern over the provocative behavior of North Korea," Gates said.

During his second visit, Gates shared with Chinese officials US concern about the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and the need for stability on the peninsula.

8. September 2012: Leon Panetta

"Our rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region is not an attempt to contain China. It is an attempt to engage China and expand its role in the Pacific. It's about creating a new model in the relationship of our two Pacific powers," Panetta said in a speech at the People's Liberation Army's Armored Forces Engineering Academy. During his China trip, Panetta devoted himself to explaining the policy of "rebalancing" to both Chinese leaders and military officials. As Japan unilaterally "nationalized" China's Diaoyu Islands days before this visit, mediating territorial disputes was also a major mission.