No meetings were scheduled with the Chinese after his flight from Washington. Rumsfeld met with officials and military personnel at the U.S. Embassy Tuesday afternoon in preparation for a full schedule of events Wednesday.

Analysts identify multiple key issues shaping the long-term development of Sino-U.S. military ties: The nature of military cooperation between China and Russia; the effect of deteriorating Sino-Japanese relations on the U.S. Japan Mutual Defense Treaty; minimizing the possibility of Taiwan becoming a flashpoint, mollifying Chinese concerns about the U.S. intentions in Central Asia; and addressing America's concerns about the rise of China's military accompanying its growing economic power.

Rumsfeld's Wednesday starts with an address to cadres at the Central Party School. Next the secretary meets with his Chinese counterpart, Gen. Cao Gangchuan, head of the Ministry of Defense.

Cao is also a member of the Communist Party's Central Committee Politburo as well as one of three vice chairman of the party's Central Military Commission. The two defense chiefs are scheduled to meet with members of the media traveling with Rumsfeld as well as a group of Chinese journalists.

Later, Rumsfeld will meet with a senior Chinese leader, either President Hu Jintao or Premier Wen Jiabao. China has not yet publicly released details on this part of the Rumsfeld itinerary. Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan would only say Rumsfeld was meeting with state officials.

Kong also rebutted a statement made by Rumsfeld on the eve of his departure expressing concern about the lack of transparency within China's military by saying his country had issued a white paper on defense and that the People's Liberation Army was transparent.

Mutual understanding of the strengths and weaknesses, plus the opportunities and threats posed by the PLA, is crucial for the security and prosperity not only of the two nations and the Asia-Pacific region, but the world at large.

Sino-U.S. military relations started off badly during the early days of the Bush administration following the collision of an American EP-3 surveillance plane with a Chinese interceptor in April 2001. Political relations improved after China joined the fight against terrorism following the Sept. 11 attacks, however military links have remained sporadic and distant between the two sides.

Two events in September signaled the administration was looking to bolster military ties with the Chinese.

On Sept. 8, Adm. William J. Fallon told reporters in Beijing fostering enhanced links would avert mistakes in times of crisis and would also lead to greater transparency and fewer misunderstandings as China invests more financial resources from its growing economic strength in its military capabilities.

Sources close to the visit told United Press International Fallon's trip was a disappointment as the Chinese turned down his request to see several specific military installations. The admiral's visit was followed by a port call to the city of Qingdao on Sept. 13 by the USS. Curtis Wilbur, an Arleigh-Burke class AEGIS guided missile destroyer.

Rumsfeld wraps up his trip to China Thursday by making a speech to the Academy of Military Science. From there he leaves Beijing bound for Osan Air Base in South Korea.

Rumsfeld first visited China in November 1974 as White House chief of staff during the Ford Administration, accompanied by Henry Kissinger who served as secretary of state and national security adviser.

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