In September, the Minister welcomed a delegation of Chinese agricultural ministers to Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland's agricultural industry is today embarking on a major agri-food trade mission to China.
The Agriculture Minister Michelle McIlveen will undertake a series of high profile meetings and visits to build on and further strengthen the existing trade and knowledge sharing links between Northern Ireland and China.
Speaking as she departed for her week-long visit, Miss McIlveen said: “There is no doubt that China is an increasingly important export market for Northern Ireland food producers.
Miss McIlveen will be visiting the Shaanxi Province
“There are also many cultural and historic links between our two countries that are continuing to grow. My visit will help cement these mutually beneficial ties and further propel the overall image of Northern Ireland in what is the most populous country in the world.
“I recently had the pleasure of welcoming a delegation from China’s Jiangxi Province to Stormont, and have had valuable meetings with Chinese Consul General Madam Wang Shuying in Belfast.
“In return, I will be giving a keynote opening speech to the opening ceremony of the highly prestigious China Yangling Agricultural Hi-Tech Fair and visit local companies participating in the major Food Hotel China exhibition in Shanghai.
“I want to maximise this opportunity to convey Northern Ireland’s commitment to the production of high quality, safe and wholesome food from our unique local environment, while exploring new and existing areas for exchanging knowledge, ideas and experience in the field of research and technology.”
While in Shaanxi Province, the Minister will lead a senior UK delegation in a formal meeting with the Governor Mr Hu Heping, and she will also meet the UK Consul General, John Edwards, in Shanghai.