New Zealand Defense Minister Jonathan Coleman will discuss moves to build links between the armed forces of New Zealand and China when he holds talks on Monday with People's Liberation Army (PLA) General Fan Changlong.

"As the top uniformed officer in the People's Liberation Army and the most senior Chinese officer to visit New Zealand since 2010, General Fan's visit reflects the excellent state of our bilateral relationship," Coleman said in a statement Friday.

The meeting with Fan, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, who is in New Zealand from July 19 to 22 as part of a wider regional visit, would be a good opportunity to promote bilateral defense engagement and discuss current regional security issues, Coleman said.

"The NZDF (New Zealand Defense Force) is keen to continue to build its engagement with the PLA. New Zealand and China are currently participating in RIMPAC (Exercise Rim of the Pacific) in Hawaii, the world's largest maritime exercise involving 22 countries," he added.

"In February, the Navy hosted its largest exercise in decades, with 14 nations, including China, taking part in a mine counter- measures exercise. Last August, the NZDF hosted Australian, U.S. and Chinese military personnel for the first time for Exercise Phoenix Spirit, a disaster relief activity."

Fan will also meet with Prime Minister John Key and senior defense officials.