Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin will visit Beijing and Shanghai, meeting President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang to bolster bilateral and EU ties.
BEIJING: Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin will visit China from Sunday to Thursday at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
China’s foreign ministry announced the visit, stating Martin will travel to both Beijing and the economic hub of Shanghai.
During his trip, the Taoiseach is scheduled to meet with Premier Li Qiang and President Xi Jinping.
This marks the first visit to China by an Irish prime minister since 2012.
“In recent years, the China-Ireland strategic partnership for mutually beneficial cooperation has enjoyed robust development,” the ministry’s statement said.
It added that both sides have consistently treated each other with mutual respect and equality.
“Through the upcoming visit, China stands ready to work with Ireland to enhance political mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation.”
The ministry also expressed hope that the visit would promote the “sound and steady advancement of China-EU relations.”
Martin’s itinerary will overlap with the visit of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, who is also due in China from Sunday to meet President Xi.
