There is a strong business flavour to this week's visit by President Michael D Higgins to China as he will be attending events aimed at promoting Ireland run by the Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Tourism Ireland, as well as the Science Foundation of Ireland, the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland and representatives from the universities.

He is accompanied on the trip by Minister for Finance Michael Noonan and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Charlie Flanagan.

It is the first State visit to China since one by former president Mary McAleese in 2003.

One highlight will be a visit to online market company Alibaba in Hangzhou, where he will have a meeting with its founder and executive chairman Jack Ma. He will also visit telecommunications equipment company Huawei's research and development centre.