Mattis during his visit to China from June 26 to 28 will meet several senior officials to exchange strategic perspectives and discuss areas of mutual concern, the Pentagon said on Sunday.
Mattis recently criticised China’s militarisation in the South China Sea in recent months
in his speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, highlighting China’s deployment of anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missiles, electronic jammers, and more recently, the landing of bomber aircraft at Woody Island.
Many nations fear that Beijing will use the construction on the islands to extend its military reach and potentially try to restrict navigation in the South China Sea.
China is expected to raise with Mattis its long-held opposition to increasing US contacts with Taiwan. China claims the self-ruled island as its territory.
The visit also comes amid an escalating trade war between the two nations following a series of tit-for-tat tariffs.
Mattis has visited Asia seven times in his 17 months since becoming defence secretary, but not China.
Mattis visit assumes significance as the US wants China’s support in nuclear talks with North Korea. As North Korea’s closest ally and major trading partner, China exercises considerable influence over the reclusive nation.
