OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harper has announced plans for his third visit to China, set to begin next week.

The prime minister will lead a Canadian business delegation to the industrial city of Hangzhou next Friday and Saturday, before heading to the capital of Beijing for two more days of meetings.

Harper will make a whirlwind return to Canada to attend Remembrance Day ceremonies at the National War Memorial following last week's fatal shooting of a soldier and subsequent attack on Parliament Hill.

In a photo-op in his office today, Harper thanked the Chinese ambassador to Canada, Luo Zhaohui, for accommodating his need to return to Ottawa for Nov. 11.

Zhaohui offered his country's condolences, and said the visit would provide a good opportunity for Harper to meet President Xi Jinping, who took office in late 2012.

The visit will be Harper's third to China since 2009, and first since the changing of the guard in China's communist leadership.