The Prime Minister has confirmed she will bring up the touchy subject of human rights when she is in China to sign a free trade agreement.
The timing of the occasion has not been revealed until now because of diplomatic sensitivities but Helen Clark disclosed the details on TVNZ's Agenda programme.
She said the deal will not prevent her raising human rights issues.
Worth $280 million a year, it is New Zealand's biggest bilateral trade agreement since the Closer Economic Relations deal with Australia 25 years ago.
Clark is leaving for Europe on Monday to attend a special royal service for Sir Edmund Hillary. It will be held at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, and attended by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, as well as Sir Edmund's family and the public.
Clark says the service will include the 'laying up' of Sir Ed's Knight of the Garter banner. Afterwards, the Hillary family will have a private audience with the Queen.
The Prime Minister then travels to Romania to attend Nato 's meeting on Afghanistan where they will discuss future international support for the country.
Finally, on April 7 Clark will arrive in Beijing for the signing of the Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and China.
She says the package will give New Zealand exporters better access to the world's fastest growing economy.
Around 150 representatives will travel to China for the signing.
