China and Britain will lift their strategic dialogue mechanism to a higher level during British Foreign Secretary David Miliband's visit to China, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang in Beijing on Monday.

"To further strengthen communication on the strategic level between China and Britain, the two sides have decided to lift the strategic dialogue mechanism to a higher level," said Qin in response to a question. Qin said Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo and Miliband will hold the strategic dialogue on Tuesday.

China and Britain held their first and second vice foreign minister-level strategic dialogue meetings in 2005 and 2007 respectively.

Miliband pays a visit to China from March 14 to 17 as a guest of his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi. Miliband is also expected to meet with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and hold talks with Yang.