US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in Shanghai for talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other senior officials.

Blinken arrived shortly before 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, local time. He is scheduled to meet Wang and others in the capital Beijing before departing on Friday.

The US and Chinese officials are expected to discuss Taiwan, the South China Sea, and Ukraine, among other issues.

Blinken plans to urge China to refrain from activities that heighten tension as Taiwan inaugurates Lai Ching-te as its new president next month.

A senior Chinese Foreign Ministry official issued a warning through the state-run Xinhua news agency on Tuesday, saying the Taiwan issue is the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations.

The official demanded that the US stop providing arms to Taiwan, stop interfering in China's domestic affairs, and support a peaceful unification.

Regarding Ukraine, the US is expected to express concern over China's alleged support of Russia's defense industry. China is likely to refute US claims.

Blinken met President Xi Jinping when he visited China in June of last year. Observers say another meeting could take place on this trip.