(ROUGH CUT - NO REPORTER NARRATION) New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has arrived in China for a one-day visit, where she's expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

She and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang took part in a welcome ceremony inside Beijing's Great Hall of the People on Monday (April 1) before sitting down for bilateral talks.

Ardern said on Monday she hoped to have a dialog with Beijing about New Zealand's intelligence agency's decision to reject a bid by Chinese telecom giant Huawei to build a 5G mobile network.

Later, the two witnessed a signing ceremony on a series of cooperation documents aimed at strengthening ties on combating tax evasion, agricultural cooperation, and treasury cooperation.

Ties with China have been tense under Ardern's government which has openly raised concerns about Beijing's growing influence in the South Pacific.

China postponed a major tourism campaign in New Zealand days before its launch in February.