Micheál Martin to become first Taoiseach to visit China since 2012
Taoiseach Micheál Martin will meet with a number of high level official during his visit to China including president Xi Jinping and premier Li Qiang.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin will today travel to China for an official visit to Beijing and Cork’s twin city of Shanghai.
This will be the first official by a Taoiseach to China for 14 years
Mr Martin’s schedule will include high-level meetings with Chinese president Xi Jinping, premier Li Qiang and chairman of the National People’s Congress, Zhao Leji.
A spokesperson for the Department of the Taoiseach said that during these meetings Mr Martin will discuss a range of issues including Ireland’s bilateral relationship with China, our important economic and trading relationship, EU-China relations, and shared global challenges.
“At a time of global turbulence, he will emphasise the importance of effective multilateral institutions to promote peace and security, and to ensure a fair trading environment.,” said the spokesperson.
During his four-day visit Mr Martin will also engage with both Irish and Chinese business leaders and investors across a broad range of sectors, including financial services, further education, and food and beverages.
China is Ireland’s largest trading partner in Asia and our fifth largest trading partner globally, with total trade in goods and services between the two countries valued at €36bn in 2023, the last year for which full figures are available.
China is Ireland’s sixth largest goods exports market and our eighth largest services export market, with Irish exports driven by medical equipment, pharmaceuticals and computer services as well as agri-food and, increasingly, financial services.
It is estimated that Irish companies support in the region of 5,000 jobs in China. Conversely, 30 IDA client companies from China employ 5,000 employees across 36 Irish based operations.
Last year, China was ranked sixth among global destinations for Irish agri-food exports with exports of €613 million.
Cork city has been twinned with Shanghai since 2005.
Last November the Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Fergal Dennehy, led a delegation from Cork City Council to Shanghai, marking the 20th anniversary of the twinning partnership.
During the visit Mr Dennehy met with Mayor Gong Zheng, with the latter saying that Shanghai and Cork share close ties as the first pair of friendship cities established between China and Irelan.
Mr Dennehy expressed his willingness to further strengthen cooperation between the two cities over the next two decades, particularly in issues including urban renewal, education, and research, as well as promoting cultural and tourism exchanges.
During his visit to Shanghai, Mr Martin will also meet Mayor Gong Zheng, as well as engaging with a range of business leaders, focusing on a range of issues including trade, investment, and tourism.
Speaking ahead of the visit to China, Mr Martin said he was looking forward to “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,” said Mr Martin.
Mr Martin said he will be stressing 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,” said Mr Martin.
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