Chinese Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Ireland today for a two-day visit, during which he will hold talks with the Taoiseach and Government ministers.

His meetings will focus on strengthening trade and tourism links between the two countries and comes in the wake of the lifting of a ban on Irish beef by the Chinese authorities earlier this year.

Since lifting the ban China has become the largest non-EU importer of Irish food.

The Chinese leader will be accompanied by various government ministers as well as his wife Professor Cheng.

Mr Li will arrive in Shannon on Sunday afternoon, and will visit a farm in the Galway/Mayo area as part of his stay.

From there, the Chinese party will move to Ashford Castle, where a bilateral meeting will take place.

In a statement ahead of the visit, the Government said the two day trip was the latest step in the deepening of contacts and relations between Ireland and China at the highest level.

It follows on from the Taoiseach’s visit to China in 2012.

“It will also provide an opportunity to showcase Ireland to a wide Chinese audience as a location for investment, tourism and high quality food production,” the Government said.

Premier Li is an economist and is the head of government and regarded as being one of the key stewards of the future growth of one of the world’s largest economies.