America-China: US State Department officials reached China amid tense relations, many issues will be discussed
A senior US State Department official arrived in Beijing on Sunday with meetings planned for the coming week as Washington seeks to boost communication with China at a time of strained ties between the two countries.
Staff Editor 
A senior US State Department official arrived in Beijing on Sunday with meetings planned for the coming week as Washington seeks to boost communication with China at a time of strained ties between the two countries.
The State Department said in a statement on Saturday that Daniel Krittenbrink, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, would discuss "key issues in the bilateral relationship" during his visit to China.
He will be accompanied by Sarah Beran, Senior Director for China and Taiwan Affairs of the White House National Security Council, the statement said. Relations between the world's two biggest economies have been strained over issues ranging from Taiwan and China's human rights records to military activity in the South China Sea.
In addition to his visit until June 10, Krittenbrink will also visit New Zealand to participate in the US-New Zealand Strategic Dialogue. A State Department spokeswoman said Krittenbrink would begin his official meetings on Monday.
