> Political Relations

Ireland established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China in June 1979. There are resident Embassies in both capitals. Ireland opened a Consulate General in Shanghai in 2000, and has an Honorary Consulate in Hong Kong.

Ireland’s political relationship with China is deepening and strengthening through a steady exchange of high-level political visits to both countries.

From 9-16 October 2003, President Mary McAleese, and a large business delegation undertook her first State Visit to China. During the visit President McAleese met with President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao, and stressed the importance of strengthening economic and cultural ties.

Remarks by President McAleese at Enterprise Ireland Business Breakfast in Beijing

Address by President McAleese at Peking University

High level visits between Ireland and China continued throughout 2004. The Irish Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) visited China in March. Visits to Ireland were made by Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and senior Chinese Ministers in the framework of Ireland’s Presidency of the European Union. Vice Premier Huang Ju also visited Ireland in 2004.

Speech by the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern on the occasion of Premier Wen’s visit to Ireland, May 2004

In January 2005, the Taoiseach (Prime Minister of Ireland) Bertie Ahern travelled to China at the invitation of Premier Wen. He was accompanied by four senior Irish Government Ministers. The Taoiseach headed a trade and education delegation of 220 people from Irish companies. This was the largest trade delegation ever to leave Ireland, underscoring the growing importance of cultural, scientific, software and educational links between Ireland and China.

The Taoiseach had political talks in Beijing with President Hu, Premier Wen and the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC Wu Bangguo

Speech by the Taoiseach at Tsinghua University

Speech by the Taoiseach at Fudan University

Visit to Ireland by Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan in September 2006 - meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Micheal Marti