BEIJING, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- King of Norway Harald V will pay a state visit to China from Oct. 11 to 20 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Born on Feb. 21, 1937, Harald V entered the Norwegian Military Academy for study in 1955 before studying history, economics and social science at Oxford University from 1960 to 1962.

After becoming crown prince in 1957, he was honored with the rank of General in the Army and Air Force and of Admiral in the Navy in 1977.

He acceded to the throne of Norway on Jan. 21, 1991.

Harald V married Sonja Haraldsen in 1968 and has two children -- Princess Martha Louise and Crown Prince Haakon.