Top Chinese diplomat lands in Ireland for two-day visit
By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA
China’s second most powerful man has landed in Dublin as part of a brief diplomatic visit.
Li Qiang, the premier of the People’s Republic of China, arrived on a Boeing 747 Max 8 – the largest commercial aircraft to land at Dublin Airport.
He was presented with red roses by a Chinese official upon landing.
He was also greeted by Transport and Climate Minister Eamon Ryan and Ireland’s ambassador in Beijing Ann Derwin.
There was a heavy Garda presence at the airport for the visit.
Mr Li’s trip comes hours after he spoke at the opening ceremony of the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland.
He is the first high-ranking Chinese government official to attend the annual gathering since president Xi Jinping in 2017.
The visit comes amid efforts by EU figures and China to develop ties.
Despite the strong Sino-EU trade, with both regions the other’s second-biggest trading partner, political tensions remain.
China has angered the EU by taking a neutral stance in what most European countries see as a Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.
Some Western countries have also avoided using or criticised technologies linked to the Chinese state over security concerns: including TikTok and Hikvision, the latter of which manufactures CCTV cameras used in the Dáil.
Mr Li is to meet with President Michael D Higgins on Wednesday morning before a joining Taoiseach Leo Varadkar for a working lunch at Farmleigh House.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Mr Varadkar said China is a “very important political and economic power” in the world.
“So it’s important that we have good relations with China but also some questions we will need to talk about as well,” the Taoiseach said.
Mr Varadkar did not elaborate on the questions or issues he will raise with Mr Li.
The Ireland-Asia think tank Asia Matters has said it is hoping the ban on beef exports to China will be on the table when the two leaders meet.
Beef exports from Ireland to China were suspended when a case of atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease) was discovered by Irish veterinary officials in November.
