A senior U.S. diplomat is in Beijing for talks with Chinese officials just hours before the U.S. Senate is expected to vote on legislation punishing China for its currency policies.

Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell arrived in the Chinese capital Tuesday and immediately went into talks with Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai.

Cui said Monday he would use the talks to impress upon Campbell his government's opposition to the Senate bill, which would authorize special tariffs against countries that manipulate their currencies.

He said the bill would serve only to spark a trade war that would damage both sides.

Cui also said he would bring up Washington's recent announcement of a new arms package for Taiwan, which fell short of Taipei's request for new F-16 fighters but still includes advanced weapons totaling $5.85 billion.

Cui said he would express China's stern opposition to the sale.