BEIJING, July 29 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson arrived here on Sunday afternoon, kicking off a four-day visit to China.

    Paulson will fly to Xining, capital of northwest China's Qinghai Province after a brief stopover in Beijing. He will arrive in Xining in the evening.

    Qinghai is home to Qinghai Lake, the largest salt water lake in China. Visiting local environmental protection programs would top Paulson's agenda in the province.

    As special representative of the U.S. President, Paulson would visit China from July 29 to Aug. 1 to exchange views on the process of the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao announced on Thursday.

    Chinese President Hu Jintao would meet with Paulson and Vice Premier Wu Yi would hold talks with him as Hu's special representative, Liu said.

    This is Paulson's second visit to China this year, following his brief tour in March.