The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs Mary Robinson, is to discuss human rights issues with President Jiang Zemin of China on her sixth official visit to Beijing next week.
Mrs Robinson will visit China to renew a human rights co-operation agreement, including human rights training for police, from November 8th to 10th.
The former Irish President will also meet the Vice-Premier, Mr Qian Qichen, during her stay.
Mrs Robinson is expected to sign an agreement continuing co-operation under which experts from her office will provide China with technical assistance in human rights in 2002.
The programme covers training of law enforcement officials, human rights education in schools, and attempts to reform the re-education through labour system.
"The programme of technical co-operation with China is very important. Mrs Robinson considers it a top priority in the work she is conducting as High Commissioner," her spokesman said yesterday.
Mrs Robinson will also participate in a workshop on human rights education with authorities and experts.
The trip comes as China has signalled its willingness to invite the UN special investigator on torture, the British law professor, Sir Nigel Rodley, to the country.