Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan is in Beijing on a two-day official visit from today, at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

During his visit, Dr Balakrishnan will call on China's Vice-President Li Yuanchao and State Councillor Yang Jiechi. He will meet Mr Wang, who will host a meal for him.

Dr Balakrishnan will also meet some Singaporean business representatives based in China over breakfast.

This is his second visit to the Chinese capital this year.

He was in Beijing in February for the 13th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation meeting.

The joint council is a high-level platform for discussing ways to deepen and broaden Singapore- China cooperation.

Accompanying Dr Balakrishnan on this trip are Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information, and Health Chee Hong Tat and Minister of State for Manpower, and Foreign Affairs Sam Tan, as well as senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.