Taoiseach Micheál Martin has arrived in Beijing, Chinese state media said, kicking off a five-day visit aimed at boosting trade between the two countries.
Mr Martin is due to meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in the Chinese capital, followed by a trip to economic powerhouse Shanghai.
His arrival, reported by state broadcaster CCTV, marks the first visit to China by a Taoiseach since 2012.
Among the top objectives will be to shore up ties between the European Union and China, as Dublin prepares to assume the rotating presidency of the bloc in July.
"In addition to discussing the broad relationship between Ireland and China, we will exchange views on pressing global challenges including peace and security and the trading environment," Mr Martin said in a statement ahead of his arrival.
"I will stress the importance of a strong EU-China relationship, as well as robust and effective multilateral institutions," he said.
China's foreign ministry said yesterday it was "ready to work with Ireland to enhance political mutual trust (and) expand mutually beneficial co-operation".
China is Ireland's largest trading partner in Asia and its fifth largest globally.
Key Irish exports to China include medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, computer services and agricultural products.
