The visit has not yet been confirmed by the UK, but according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry it will take place on Wednesday.

According to spokesperson Wang Wenbin, relations between China and the UK will be the main topic of the visit, but international and regional issues of concern to both countries will also be discussed.

– It is hoped that the British side will work together with China to maintain the spirit of mutual respect, Wang said.

Cleverly was scheduled to visit China in July, but the visit was postponed when his Chinese colleague Qin Gang mysteriously disappeared from public view.

It was later discovered that Qin Gang had been overthrown and Wang Yi had now taken over as foreign minister.

Wang is a former foreign policy leader of the Chinese Communist Party and is said to be China’s top diplomat. He is known to be close to President Xi Jinping.

Relations between China and Britain are tense, partly due to the Chinese government’s heavy-handed rule in the former British crown colony of Hong Kong.

The right wing of Britain’s ruling Conservative party has long demanded tougher action on China, but Cleverly advocates a pragmatic, constructive and concerted Western approach to the country and leadership in Beijing.

On Monday, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo also began a three-day visit to Beijing, where she held talks with Commerce Secretary Wang Wentao, among others.