Zhang, who will be the most senior Chinese official to visit Slovenia to date, has been invited by Prime Minister Miro Cerar.

According to the press release, the visit will focus on possibilities of further enhancing bilateral relations in all fields of common interest and discuss topical international issues.

Zhang is the first-ranked Vice Premier of the People's Republic of China, which has four vice premiers. The third-ranked Vice Premier Wang Yang visited Slovenia in 2014 with a business delegation.

China recognised Slovenia's independence on 27 April 1992, which also marked the start of diplomatic relations between the countries.

Slovenia and China are boosting their economic ties, as bilateral trade in goods increased from EUR 906m in 2015 to more than EUR 1bn last year.