Taoiseach Micheál Martin is hoping to strengthen cultural and economic links with China during a four-day visit.
This week’s visit to Beijing and Shanghai includes meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and Chairman of the National People’s Congress Zhao Leji.
Politically, the meetings will discuss Ireland’s bilateral relationship with China, including its important economic and trading relationship, EU-China relations and shared global challenges.
It's a fair bet that Venezuela will get a mention in this regard.
This will be the first visit by a taoiseach to China since 2012. China is Ireland’s largest trading partner in Asia and its fifth largest trading partner in the world.
Also during the visit the Taoiseach will engage with Irish and Chinese business leaders and investors across a broad range of sectors, including financial services, further and higher education, and food and beverages, as well as meeting with representatives of twelve Irish colleges and their Chinese higher education partners.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Mr. Martin said: “I very much look forward to visiting China and deepening the political, cultural, and economic connections between our two countries.
“My meetings and engagements in Beijing and Shanghai provide an opportunity to deepen Ireland’s relations with China and to discuss a range of opportunities and challenges.
“I look forward to engaging with President Xi, Premier Li and Chairman Zhao of the National People’s Congress. In addition to discussing the broad relationship between Ireland and China, we will exchange views on pressing global challenges including peace and security and the trading environment.
“I will stress the importance of a strong EU-China relationship, as well as robust and effective multilateral institutions.
“I also look forward to meeting Chinese and Irish business people to explore the opportunities that exist for both Irish and Chinese investors and exporters.
“In Beijing there will be a particular focus on further and higher education – an important area with a lot of potential for both partners, and where cooperation will yield longer-term dividends in terms of research and innovation, and people-to-people links.”
