President Michael D Higgins has visited the Great Wall of China during his week long state visit. He will take in three cities during his trip, and meet Irish people living there.

President Higgins began his day with a visit to the Great Wall, and is due to host one of several IDA and Enterprise Ireland trade dinners in Beijing.

The visit is heavily aimed at promoting trade links with China.

President Higgins and his wife Sabina share a moment at the Great Wall of China | Image: Fennell Photography 

It also hopes to give recognition for the growing mutual relationship between the second largest economy in the world - and Ireland as an important link to the European single market.

President Higgins (centre) vistis the Ullens Centre for Contemporary Art in Beijing | Image: Fennell Photography 

A special concert at the Forbidden City is taking place this evening in honour of President Higgins and Sabina Higgins, as well as the delegation that includes Ministers Michael Noonan and Charlie Flanagan.

Tomorrow, Mr Higgins will meet with the Chinese President Xi Jinping for an official bi-lateral meeting.

President Higgins and his wife Sabina visit children at a school in Beijing | Image: Fennell Photography 

President Higgins will visit the cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou, and he will also address an event hosted by Tourism Ireland for members of the Chinese media and tourism industry.

He will then go on to visit the former residence of Sun Yat Sen, the first president and founding father of the Republic of China. Irish writer George Bernard Shaw visited the residence in 1933.

President Higgins and his wife Sabina tour the Great Wall of China | Image: Fennell Photography 

The president will travel by bullet train from Shanghai to Hangzhou. He will then visit one of China's leading international companies, Alibaba, where he will have a meeting with its founder and executive chairman, Jack Ma.