PLA Chief of General Staff Chen Bingde will visit the United States in May, continuing efforts to rebuild damaged ties between China and the U.S.

High-level military talks resumed between China and the U.S. earlier this year when U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates visited Beijing in January, where the two militaries pledged to keep an open channel for defense and maritime security consultations. China suspended military contact with the U.S. last year after the U.S. made a $6.5-billion arms sale to Taiwan.

Chen, the former head of China's manned space program, was appointed Chief of General Staff in September 2007. Most recently, he went on a three-day tour to Nepal, returning last Saturday.

Chen said he will push communication and cooperation in relevant fields in a planned way in the U.S. talks, without elaborating on which fields or the planned way.

In other news, China issued a white paper on national defense today outlining its security environment, national defense policy, expenditures and arms control. Through these white papers – there have been seven since 1998 – China hopes to enhance military transparency and boost the world's trust in its commitment to peaceful development.