US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta stands at attention next to China's Defense Minister Liang Guanglie at the Bayi Building in Beijing Sept 18, 2012. Panetta is on his second official stop of a three-nation tour to Japan, China and New Zealand.[Photo/Agencies]

BEIJING - Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie held talks Tuesday with visiting US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta.

Liang, also state councilor, held a welcoming ceremony for Panetta before their talks at the headquarters of China's Central Military Commission.

Panetta arrived in Beijing Monday evening, kicking off his first visit to China as Pentagon chief. China is the second leg of his week-long Asia-Pacific visit, which also brings him to Japan and New Zealand.