"This trip is an opportunity for Admiral Fargo to personally meet with defense leaders of the People's Republic of China," the US Pacific Command said in a statement, which described the visit as "routine".

"These trips allow Admiral Fargo to meet with senior defense officials in the region and to discuss security issues of mutual interest," it said.

His visit coincides with China's largest war games of the year, which pro-Beijing newspapers in Hong Kong say are underway in the Taiwan Straits.

Nuclear-powered submarines, warships, the latest model missile destroyers and a guided missile brigade are reportedly involved, along with Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jets purchased from Russia.

Focusing on air superiority, the drills are designed to send a message to Taiwan independence forces, state-run media has said.

Meanwhile, Taiwanese air force jets this week staged rare landings on closed off freeways as part of a major exercise to demonstrate the island's readiness in the event of an attack by China.

The US navy is also planning its own exercises, announcing in June that three aircraft carrier battle groups were already in the Pacific and four others were being deployed for war games called "Summer Pulse 2004."

According to US naval websites, the deployment is a part of the Fleet Response Plan, which is aimed at increasing force preparedness and establishing the ability to immediately provide significant combat power in a crisis anywhere in the world.

China is getting increasingly edgy over the US military strategy, which prompted a visit this month by National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice in an attempt to calm Beijing down, analysts say.

Fargo, who is in charge of all US military air, ground and naval forces in the Pacific and Indian ocean areas, is in China until Sunday.

His swing through the region also includes stops in Mongolia, Guam and Japan.

WAR.WIRE