Pentagon greets Chinese General Fan (4)

The Pentagon rolled out red carpet for a senior Chinese military leader on sunny Thursday morning.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter greeted the Chinese Central Military Commission Vice-Chairman Fan Changlong and his delegation as Fan's motorcade arrived 10am at the Pentagon gate facing the Potomac River.

The two shook hands and then walked up the stairs and stood facing the enhanced honor cordon and saluted when the national anthems of China and the United States were played by the military band. The two then walked into the Pentagon building for a meeting closed to the press. It was expected that the two will discuss a wide range of issues regarding the two militaries, including the situations in the South China Sea.

Fan is the most senior Chinese military leader coming to Washington since President Xi Jinping assumed top leadership in late 2012. In the Central Military Commission, Fan ranks immediately after Xi, who is also chairman of the commission.