US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected in China on Wednesday, where the escape of a Chinese activist threatens to overshadow key talks.
Mrs Clinton will lead the US team at an annual meeting with China that aims to cement relations and discuss issues ranging from security to economic ties.
She has not commented on the escape of activist Chen Guangcheng, believed to be at the US embassy in Beijing.
But she did say on Monday that she would discuss human rights.
Mr Chen was placed under house arrest in Shandong province in 2010 after spending more than four years in jail for disrupting traffic and damaging property.
The activist, who has been blind since childhood, has long been a high-profile figure and international rights groups have frequently expressed alarm at the treatment of him and his family.
Activists believe that Mr Chen is now under US protection after fleeing house arrest late last month. US and Chinese officials are thought to be in talks on his fate but there has been no official confirmation.
Strategic talks
Mrs Clinton and US President Barack Obama have refused to comment on Mr Chen's case.
Mr Obama told a news conference that he was "aware of press reports" on the issue, but would not make a statement on it.
For her part, Mrs Clinton said that she would discuss rights issues with Chinese officials.
"A constructive relationship includes talking very frankly about those areas where we do not agree, including human rights," Mrs Clinton said before leaving for China.
"That is the spirit that is guiding me as I take off for Beijing tonight. And I can certainly guarantee that we will be discussing every matter, including human rights, that is pending between us."
In previous public speeches, Mrs Clinton had given attention to Chen's case.
US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner will also be present during the US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue with senior Chinese officials on Thursday and Friday.
Both countries will want to discuss Iran, Syria, North Korea and trade, but as of now, all anyone is interested in are the whereabouts and the fate of Mr Chen, according to the BBC's Adam Brookes in Washington.
Earlier, state department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland confirmed that senior US official Kurt Campbell travelled to Beijing, but declined to say whether he was in discussions about the activist.
Mr Campbell, who arrived on an unscheduled visit, is believed to be in highly delicate negotiations with the Chinese authorities.
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