Obama's top security advisor to visit China, Japan

WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama's top security advisor Thomas Donilon will visit China and Japan to strengthen security cooperation and promote ties with the two nations, the White House announced Friday.

During the China trip, Donilon "will discuss the current and future state of US-China relations and cooperation on regional and global challenges of mutual concern, including nonproliferation, regional security in Asia and the Middle East, and global economic growth," the White House said in a statement.

Earlier, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that Donilon will visit China from July 23 to July 25, and both sides will exchange views on bilateral relations and major issues of common concern.

The White House also said that during his subsequent visit to Tokyo, Donilon will hold consultations with senior Japanese officials on US-Japan security cooperation and other bilateral issues, as well as a range of regional and global challenges.