Biden arrives in Beijing

US Vice President Joe Biden has arrived in China on the first leg of his Asian tour, with the aim of promoting bilateral ties.

Biden arrived in Beijing Airport on Wednesday evening and was greeted by Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and other officials.

During Biden's 6-day visit until next Monday, Biden is to meet Vice President Xi Jinping, who's likely to succeed President Hu Jintao. The 2 are also scheduled to visit Sichuan Province, which was hit by a major earthquake in 2008.

Biden is expected to explain to Xi efforts by the US to reduce its fiscal deficit.

China, a major holder of US Treasury bonds, has shown growing concern over the fiscal situation in the United States since the recent downgrade of its credit by a major US rating agency.

Also expected to be high on the agenda are disputes over territory in the South China Sea and North Korea's nuclear arms program.

Other major topics are likely to include human rights issues in China, and planned US sales of F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan despite China's possible objection.

After China, Biden is scheduled to visit Mongolia and Japan through August 24th.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011 22:22 +0900 (JST)