U.S. Secretary of State arrives for China visit

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in Beijing Tuesday evening for a two-day visit to China at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.

During her stay in Beijing, Clinton will meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao, Vice President Xi Jinping and State Councilor Dai Bingguo.

Maritime disputes between China and some of its neighbors, the Syrian crisis, the Iranian nuclear issue, and trade-related issues between China and the U.S. are likely to be on Clinton's agenda during her Beijing trip, said Jin Canrong, a research fellow on U.S. studies in China's Renmin University.

Jin said the secretary will also explain to China that her country's Asia-Pacific strategy was not aimed at China.

"Communicating with the Chinese side will help ease the tensions in the bilateral relations between the two nations," Jin said, adding that Obama's "rude" policy in Asia had also invited criticism in the U.S..

He said the U.S. strategy of returning to Asia-Pacific caused trouble for China as some neighboring countries made use of the strategy and took advantage of China's peaceful foreign policy.

With regard to the upcoming U.S. presidential election, Jin said the result will not greatly affect the China-U.S. relations, but the process would have some impact, as U.S. politicians are used to attacking China to get more votes.

This is Clinton's second China trip this year. In May, she attended the fourth round of the China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue as special representative of President Barack Obama.

The visit is part of Clinton's six-nation tour starting on August. 30, which also takes her to Cook Islands, Indonesia, East Timor, Brunei and Russia.