The aircraft carrier Liaoning has conducted 10 sea trials since August 2011. [Photo by Li Tang / for China Daily]

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will visit China's Liaoning aircraft carrier on Monday afternoon, according to a press release from the Ministry of National Defense.

At the invitation of State Councilor and Defense Minister Chang Wanquan, Hagel will arrive in Qingdao, Shandong province, at noon on Monday, to begin a four-day trip to China, it said.

zhaoshengnan@chinadaily.com.cn

Actions speak louder than words in military relations

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel begins his first visit to China on Monday since taking office. A Chinese military expert offers her views on bilateral military ties.

The Chinese and US militaries have communicated with each other for 34 years. Although China-US military ties cannot be set apart from overall bilateral relations, they tend to show shortcomings in these ties, fluctuating back and forth from development to stagnation.