U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns will travel to Japan and China next week for talks with senior officials of the two countries, State Department announced on Friday.

Burns will arrive in Tokyo next Wednesday after he delivers a policy speech on U.S.-China relations at Texas A&M University next Monday, the department said in a statement.

In Tokyo, he will meet with senior Japanese political figures and officials from various ministries to discuss a broad range of bilateral, regional and global issues, said the statement.

"The visit is another demonstration of how our alliance with Japan remains the cornerstone of U.S. engagement in the Asia- Pacific," said the statement.

Burns will travel to Beijing on Thursday, where he will meet with a range of senior officials, according to the statement.

"His visit reflects sustained, high-level U.S. engagement with China and our commitment to building a positive, cooperative, and comprehensive relationship," said the statement.