Micheál Martin arrived in Beijing on Sunday for a 5-day visit to China, the first by an Irish leader to go there in 14 years. [1]
The Department of the Taoiseach said Martin will discuss Ireland's bilateral ties with China, EU-China relations and shared global challenges during the trip. [1]
He will also meet business leaders and investors in financial services, higher education, and food and beverages, as Dublin seeks to deepen commercial links with China. [1]
Martin said he “very much look[s] forward to visiting China and deepening the political, cultural, and economic connections between our two countries.” He also said he will stress “the importance of a strong EU-China relationship, as well as robust and effective multilateral institutions.” [1]
The Chinese side said the visit comes as the China-Ireland strategic partnership for mutually beneficial cooperation has developed robustly in recent years. [1]
Martin is also due to meet Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng in Shanghai. [1]
The trip comes after the Taoiseach's office set out the agenda in a statement on Sunday. [1]
