Queen Máxima has been felled by a kidney infection on the second day of the state visit to China and has been forced to pull out of several events.

The queen’s illness means king Willem-Alexander made a solo visit to a traditional neighbourhood in Beijing and the Dutch pavilion at the Beijing Design Week exhibition on Monday.

Máxima will not attend an official reception hosted by president Xi Jinping on Monday evening but may still attend the state banquet later, news agency ANP says.

Máxima has also pulled out of a visit to the Yan’an plateau on Tuesday. The state visit lasts until Thursday.

The king and queen are accompanied by a 150-strong Dutch trade mission – the second largest Dutch trade mission ever organised. Several ministers and employers’ leader Hans de Boer are among the delegates.

Foreign minister Bert Koenders, who is leading the delegation, has assured critics that human rights will be raised with the Chinese authorities during the visit, but has not said if the king will discuss the issue.

According to broadcaster Nos, the king is due to make a speech at Monday night’s state banquet and the contents will be studied closely for any comments about human rights.