Monday, May 29 2006 10:18 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Beijing: Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today (May 29, 2006) kicked off his maiden official visit to China holding meetings with senior Chinese officials, including Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing here.

Mukherjee, who arrived here yesterday (May 28, 2006) for a six-day official visit, went to the Academy of Military Science of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and received a briefing from top experts and then had a discussion on issues of common interest.

He then went to the Chinese Foreign Ministry building and met with Foreign Minister Li and discussed Sino-India bilateral ties and the need to forge closer relations.

On his arrival from Japan, Mukherjee said that he hoped to have a "very useful" meeting with the Chinese leadership to further consolidate India's strategic relationship with Beijing.

"I am expecting a very useful meeting with the leadership of China in the context of our growing relations and strategic partnership for peace and stability," he said.

"I do hope that this visit will also help to achieve that objective," Mukherjee said.

The Defence Minister will have formal talks with his Chinese counterpart, General Cao Gangchuan in the evening.