BEIJING, March 3 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte arrived here at noon Saturday, starting his three-day visit to China.

    During Negroponte's stay here, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, as well as vice foreign ministers Dai Bingguo and Yang Jiechi will meet or hold talks with Negroponte, respectively.

    The two sides are expected to exchange views on bilateral ties and on important international and regional issues of common concern.

    Negroponte's March 1-6 Asian tour also includes Japan and the Republic of Korea.

    Negroponte was sworn in as U.S. deputy secretary of state last month, following President George W. Bush nominated him in January to take the post, which had been vacant since Robert Zoellick left office last July.

    Prior to this, Negroponte was the first Director of National Intelligence. He also held several high-profile posts in the Bush administration, including those of UN ambassador and ambassador to Iraq in the months leading up to the invasion of Iraq.