WELLINGTON - New Zealand Minister of Education Chris Hipkins is travelling to China at the weekend for a four-day visit that includes meeting his counterpart Education Minister Chen Baosheng in Beijing, a statement said here on Wednesday.

The visit is aimed at reaffirming New Zealand's strategic education partnership with China, including the formal education initiatives between the two countries as well as New Zealand's commitment to being a quality and safe destination for Chinese students, Hipkins said in a statement on Wednesday.

The visit will include tours to Beijing and Guangzhou and visits to several leading tertiary institutions including Peking University, to signal his support for deeper collaboration in teaching and research between Chinese and New Zealand institutions, Hipkins said.

He will witness the signing of a memorandum to enhance education cooperation between New Zealand and China, and meet education agents, alumni and media.

The minister will also meet senior local government officials to confirm New Zealand's interest in expanding education links with Guangdong Province.

"China is the most important source of international students for New Zealand," Hipkins said, adding, "Across our education system, from primary schools through to universities, students from China are highly valued and bring welcome talent to our institutions."

In particular, Hipkins will discuss New Zealand's quality education offerings in the field of entrepreneurship and how these are empowering Chinese graduates of New Zealand institutions to succeed in their chosen fields of endeavor, he said.