From Reuters, via the Washington Post (link):
The United States, wary of potential “crossed wires” as China steps up its involvement in Washington’s traditional sphere of influence in Latin America, plans to start a dialogue with Beijing on the issue.
Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Shannon, who oversees Latin American affairs, said on Tuesday he would visit Beijing in early April, ahead of Chinese President Hu Jintao’s visit to Washington later in the month.
Shannon said the goal of his trip to China was to get a better idea of “how they feel about the Caribbean and the Americas.”