Beijing: Chinese President Xi Jinping and Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin convened on Monday to explore avenues for enhancing economic ties and bolstering China-European Union relations. Martin's visit marks the first official visit by an Irish prime minister to China in 14 years, having arrived in Beijing on Sunday for a five-day trip.
According to Anadolu Agency - English, Martin's itinerary includes discussions with senior Chinese officials and business leaders in Shanghai, with the visit set to culminate on Thursday. During the meeting, President Xi emphasized the historical significance of mutual respect, equality, and benefit in China-Ireland relations, urging both nations to uphold these principles and work towards greater strategic communication and political trust.
President Xi highlighted the shared commitment of China and Ireland to multilateralism and international fairness. He underscored the importance of collaboration in global affairs, advocating for a more equitable global governance system under the authority of the United Nations. Furthermore, Xi expressed a desire for China and the EU to maintain a long-term perspective, focusing on partnership and cooperation while addressing differences objectively.
Prime Minister Martin called for increased openness in trade between Ireland and China, emphasizing the mutual benefits of open markets and cooperative global engagement. With China being Ireland's largest economic partner in Asia and fifth-largest globally, the trade relationship is valued at approximately $42 billion annually.
Xi reiterated China's interest in expanding cooperation with Ireland across various sectors, including artificial intelligence, the digital economy, healthcare, and education. He also stressed the importance of deepening strategic communication and political trust, particularly in the arena of multilateral cooperation on international issues.
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and the UN's authority while discussing the potential for strengthened ties between China and the EU. The Chinese side acknowledged Ireland's forthcoming role as the rotating EU Council presidency and expressed hope for Dublin's constructive contributions to China-EU relations.
Martin's visit occurs amid ongoing tensions between the EU and China over tariffs, with recent Chinese duties on certain EU dairy products and electric vehicles intensifying trade pressures.