WASHINGTON, Jan 4 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has canceled a trip to China this week because of the crisis in Gaza where Israel has launched a ground offensive, the State Department said on Sunday.

Rice had been set to leave for China on Sunday, with stops in other Asian destinations, but she has now decided to stay in Washington and her deputy, John Negroponte, will go in her place.

"Due to events in the Middle East, Secretary Rice will not be able to travel to Beijing, China as she had expected," said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack in a statement.

(Reporting by Sue Pleming, Editing by Sandra Maler)

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