Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly is visiting Beijing on an unannounced trip for high-level talks with her counterpart there.

According to a statement from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she will visit China from July 18 to 20, at the invitation of the Chinese Foreign Minister.

The two ministers are expected to discuss "Canadian-Chinese relations as well as complex global and regional security issues," according to a statement from Global Affairs Canada.

Joly said in the statement: "As the world faces increasingly complex and interconnected global issues, Canada is committed to engaging pragmatically with a wide range of countries to advance our national interests and uphold our values."

She added, "As outlined in Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, we must maintain open lines of communication and use diplomacy to challenge where we must, while seeking cooperation in the areas that matter most to Canadians. I look forward to a productive meeting."

The visit comes amid tensions between Ottawa and Beijing.