NORTHERN IRELAND DEPUTY First Minister Martin McGuinness has withdrawn from a planned official visit to China on medical advice.

The Sinn Féin MLA was due to travel to Beijing this week with First Minister Arlene Foster – but pulled out of the trip at short notice.

“The deputy First Minister withdrew from a planned visit to China this week on medical advice and to enable doctors to conduct a medical assessment,” a statement from the Northern Ireland Executive Office said.

“Martin McGuinness is fulfilling his responsibilities as deputy First Minister working with his departmental political advisers.

“There has been no disruption to the work of The Executive Office during this period.”

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has sent his best wishes to McGuinness. In a statement the TD said:

“I’m sure everybody who values his work will send best wishes to Martin, Bernie and their family. I met with Martin as normal at Stormont on Monday.

I have been in regular contact with him since and he is totally committed to fulfilling his duties.

No further details have been given about the nature of the medical issue.

Read: Austin Stack believes he knows the identity of the former IRA commander he met over father’s murder >