NEW DELHI, Dec 22: India's Chief of Army Staff Gen N. C. Vij arrived in Shnghai on Wednesday, starting a week-long visit, the first in over a decade by the senior-most Indian defence official to China, Press Trust of India said.

During his stay in Shanghai, the Communist giants largest city and commercial hub, Gen Vij will have exchange of views with senior military leaders of the Shanghai Military Garrison. The Shanghai Military Garrison will also host a banquet in his honour.

He will also visit the eastern port city of Qingdao and the south-western city of Xian and visit local garrisons before proceeding to Beijing for high-level talks with the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA).

In Beijing, Gen Vij will hold official-level talks with the PLA leadership and call on a senior Chinese government leader, PTI quoted official sources as saying. China has said it attached high importance to the visit.