Chinese government confirms Rice visit

BEIJING, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed Friday that U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will visit China next week.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said Rice was invited to China for a two-day visit by Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, China's state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The visit Wednesday and Thursday will mark the 30th anniversary of the beginning of diplomatic ties between the two countries, Xinhua said.

Specific details on the talks were not reported.