WASHINGTON

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to China this week, the State Department said Wednesday.

"While in Beijing, Secretary Blinken will meet with senior PRC officials where he will discuss the importance of maintaining open lines of communication to responsibly manage the U.S.-PRC relationship," spokesman Matthew Miller said in a statement.

"He will also raise bilateral issues of concern, global and regional matters, and potential cooperation on shared transnational challenges," said Miller.

The statement came hours after a telephone call late Tuesday between Blinken and Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang.

The request for the call came from Washington, said Beijing.

Blinken's planned visit in February to engage in discussions with his recently appointed counterpart was deferred after a dispute arose concerning a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon that was detected above US airspace.

Blinken will also travel to London.

"In London, the Secretary will attend the Ukraine Recovery Conference to help mobilize international support from the public and private sector to help Ukraine recover from Russia’s brutal and ongoing attacks," said the statement.

"While there, he will also meet with counterparts from the United Kingdom, Ukraine, and other partners and allies," it added.