A trip to China by the U.S. State Department’s coordinator of North Korea sanctions, Robert Einhorn, has been postponed.

State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters Monday that Einhorn’s trip was put on hold at the request of Beijing. He said Washington will reschedule the trip this week.

Asked if China’s request for a delay in Einhorn’s visit could be related to recent gestures of appeasement by North Korea, a senior State Department official said that it is doubtful.

Einhorn is expected to call for China’s active cooperation in imposing sanctions on North Korea and Iran when he visits Beijing.