China's Defence Ministry said on Thursday it was coordinating with the United States on a possible visit to China by US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, which would be the first such trip under US President Donald Trump's administration. Since Trump took office, Mattis has made several tours of Asia, including trips to Japan, the Philippines, Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam and Indonesia. "As for the visit of Defense Secretary Mattis to China, defence departments in both countries are currently coordinating on this," Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Ren Guoqiang said when asked about the issue during a monthly news briefing. Japanese media cited the US Pentagon in January as saying Mattis could visit China in the spring. Ren said China would send a working group to the United States early next month to discuss its participation.

Source: dna March 29, 2018 10:58 UTC