The prime minister put some star power behind his high-level trip to China.

An immensely popular Canadian entertainer has been named a goodwill ambassador to the country.

Mark Rowswell, known as Dashan, is a TV host who shot to stardom thanks in part to his mastery of Chinese comedy.

Rowswell has long been a public Canadian face in China and was an official representative of Canadian delegations at the 2008 Olympics and the World Expo.

He was named as a goodwill ambassador as Prime Minister Stephen Harper begins a four-day visit.

Harper's focus on the tour is strengthening personal and economic ties to the country.