US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will depart Washington on Thursday, starting her visits to Japan, China and South Korea, a State Department spokesman said on Tuesday. 

"She will visit Tokyo on May 21st, Shanghai on May 21st and 22nd, Beijing May 23rd though May 26th, and will conclude her travel in Seoul, also on May 26th," said department spokesman Philip Crowley.

Clinton is expected to attend a new round of dialogue on strategic and economic issues during her visit to China.