BEIJING - Senior generals of China and the United States met in Beijing on Monday to discuss bilateral military relations and issues of common concern.

"Your visit is an important event in the bilateral military exchange program. We place great importance in it," Fang Fenghui, chief of the general staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, told Martin Dempsey, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the start of the talks.

Dempsey recalled his phone discussions with Fang last month, reaffirming his commitment to work together to improve bilateral military ties.

He arrived in Beijing on Sunday for a five-day visit, the first since he took office as the highest-ranking U.S. military officer in 2011.