WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama is dispatching his national security advisor, Tom Donilon to China and Japan to discuss key bilateral, regional and global issues with the leaders of the two countries, in particular the situation in the Middle East and regional security in Asia.

"On July 22, 2012, National Security Advisor Thomas E Donilon will travel to Beijing, China for meetings with senior Chinese officials, including State Councilor Dai Bingguo," National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor, said in a statement.

"Donilon will discuss the current and future state of US-China relations and cooperation on regional and global challenges of mutual concern including nonproliferation, regional security in Asia and the Middle East, and global economic growth," he said.

"Donilon will then travel to Tokyo for consultations with senior Japanese officials on US-Japan security cooperation and other bilateral issues, as well as a range of regional and global challenges," Vietor said.