Jin Zhijian, an experienced diplomat who has served all over the world, began his new Christchurch-based role only last month.
The two-day visit to Dunedin, beginning today, would be his first time in the city, Mr Cull said.
''Being able to have someone of Mr Jin's calibre in the South Island is a sign of how much the Chinese value their relationship with us and the importance of our links with Shanghai,'' Mr Cull said.
Mr Jin's trip would include visits to Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, the Chinese Garden, Olveston, Larnach Castle and the University of Otago.
Dunedin-Shanghai Association chairman Malcolm Wong said it would also include a visit to the graves of Chinese gold-miners in the Southern Cemetery, where Mr Jin would ''pay his respects to the ancestors''.
Before coming to New Zealand, Mr Jin was deputy director-general of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs' protocol department in Beijing.
He has also served in a variety of diplomatic posts, from Iceland to Denmark and Chicago.
Mr Jin and his wife will be accompanied on their Dunedin visit by Fan Jianghong, consul for economic and commercial affairs, and consul for policy and information Luo Songtao.
