In a surprise move, the U.S. deputy secretary of state will travel to China to discuss North Korea and other areas of “alignment,” a U.S. State Department spokesperson announced Wednesday.

Deputy secretary Wendy Sherman kicked off an eight-day Asia tour this week, with her original itinerary placing her in Japan, South Korea and Mongolia. She will extend her trip to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Tianjin, China from July 25 to 26.