US navy chief visits China's warships

US Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jonathan Greenert on Thursday visited Beihai Fleet of the Chinese navy in the northern port of Dalian.

Accompanied by Admiral Wu Shengli, commander of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), Greenert visited a missile frigate, a missile speedboat, and other ships of the fleet.

Onboard a supply ship, the two navy chiefs held a symposium with sailors and officers of the Beihai Fleet.

The two military officials also sailed out of the port aboard a missile frigate, to watch some exercises.

Wu briefed Greenert the general situation of the Chinese navy, urging a new type of relations between the two navies, strengthening naval exchanges especially between front-line fleets, and jointly safeguarding maritime peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

Greenert said at the symposium that his visit showed the two navies are continuing the agenda for improving cooperation.

"We have differences in some policies, but we have to work through them, that's what two great navies do. They manage the way through, and they set the example," Greenert told Chinese navy staff.

Greenert is the latest high-ranking US official to visit Chinese warships this year. In April, US defense secretary Chuck Hagel visited the Beihai Fleet in Qingdao, boarding China's only aircraft carrier Liaoning.

Greenert kicked off his five-day China tour on Monday. Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan met with Greenert on Tuesday.