The Chinese president has accepted an invitation to visit Ireland. President Michael D Higgins extended the invite to Xi Jinping at the start of a meeting at the Great Hall of the People this morning.

He was greeted by the Chinese premier at the ceremony which was attended by both first lady's Sabina Higgins and Peng Liyuan.

Mr Higgins was then invited to inspect the guards at the Great Hall of the People, where both the Irish and Chinese national anthems were played.

Mr Xi previously travelled here in 2012, before he took over the Chinese presidency.

Newstalk.com's Shona Murray is in China. Earlier, she said President Higgins highlighted the connections between the two countries.

President Higgins is attending an official, bi-lateral meeting with Mr Xi this afternoon.

After the meeting - which is due to last around 45 minutes - both presidents will sign several agreements, including a science cooperation agreement as well as a trade association agreement.

Both President Higgins and Xi Jinping will also witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between NUIG and Tsinghua University.

The agenda for the meeting is unconfirmed, but is said to involve further areas of trade cooperation between the two countries, as well as a discussion on international issues such as human rights.

Yesterday, the president took in a visit of the Great Wall of China.