By US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld arrived in Beijing yesterday on an official visit described by international-affairs experts as "an important step" towards increasing bilateral military exchanges.

Rumsfeld's trip his first since he took up his current position is also expected to pave the way for US President George W. Bush's visit to China next month.

The White House announced on Monday that Bush would come to China after attending the November 18-19 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the South Korean city of Busan.

In New York last month, President Hu Jintao and Bush agreed to push for constructive cooperation.

"Rumsfeld's visit signifies the continuation of increasing mutual trust between the leaders of the two countries," said Zhu Feng, professor at the School of International Studies of Peking University.

The relationship between China and the US is playing an increasingly important role in regional and global affairs, said Zhu; and if bilateral military relations lag behind, it will generate a negative influence on bilateral ties, he noted.

Rumsfeld will meet Hu, who is also chairman of the Central Military Commission, as well as Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan.

He will also visit the Central Party School and the Academy of Military Science of the People's Liberation Army, and meet Guo Boxiong, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, and Jing Zhiyuan, Commander of Second Artillery Force.

China hopes that through the visit, Rumsfeld could have a "complete and objective" understanding of China's defensive national defense policy, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan yesterday.

"Leaders will exchange views on bilateral relations, military ties as well as issues of common concern on regional and international affairs," said Kong.

Zhu predicted that they may touch on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue and the Taiwan question.

Kong urged US officials to keep their commitments on the Taiwan question by adhering to the one-China policy and opposing Taiwan independence.

Over the past years, bilateral military exchanges have been strengthened.

Cao visited the US in October 2003, and General Richard Myers, former chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, toured China in 2004.

(China Daily October 19, 2005)