Taoiseach Micheál Martin met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing at the start of a four-day official visit to China, focusing on trade and international cooperation.
Ireland-China Trade and Cooperation
During an audience with President Xi in the Great Hall of the People, Martin highlighted the strong trade relationship between Ireland and China and advocated for increased open trade. He also acknowledged China’s role in global affairs, particularly its work within the United Nations.
President Xi responded by calling for greater cooperation between the two countries in areas such as artificial intelligence and the digital economy. Discussions also covered the existing bilateral relationship, economic ties, and broader EU-China relations.
The Taoiseach also toured Beijing’s Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that served as the Chinese imperial palace for over 500 years.
Trade Tensions and Global Challenges
The visit occurs against a backdrop of rising trade tensions between the European Union and China, including new tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and EU dairy products. Global trade is also impacted by tariffs imposed by the United States.
Martin is scheduled to meet with Irish and Chinese business leaders and representatives from 12 Irish colleges while in Beijing. On Wednesday, he will travel to Shanghai to meet the city’s mayor and business groups in the tourism, food, and beverage sectors.
This is the first visit to China by a sitting Taoiseach since 2012. However, Martin previously visited China in 2023 as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs.
During his meetings, Martin plans to address “pressing global challenges including peace and security and the trading environment.” He emphasized the importance of a strong EU-China relationship and effective multilateral institutions.
China is Ireland’s fifth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching €36 billion in 2023. Key Irish exports include medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, computer services, and agri-food products, with financial services becoming increasingly significant.
The Taoiseach is expected to return to Ireland on Thursday evening.
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