TÁNAISTE EAMON GILMORE is beginning a four day visit to China today during which he will meet senior Communist Party officials and promote Ireland as an attractive prospect for investment.
The visit will have a strong trade focus as well as covering political and other bilateral matters, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
“This is a significant visit coming at a critical time,” said Eamon Gilmore, speaking ahead of his departure.
China is the second-largest economy in the world after the United States and the Government has been trying to consolidate its friendship with the economy giant. Irish trade with China is worth more than €8 billion a year.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny emphasised the “special relationship” between the two countries during the visit of the now-president of China Xi Jinping to Ireland last year. The Taoiseach visited China in return in March of 2012 in a bid to promote trade and investment in Ireland.
“China is a priority market for Ireland and strengthening our relations with China… is critical to our exporters and to our economic recovery as a whole,” said Gilmore.
The Tánaiste is expected to raise the issues of exporting Irish beef to the Chinese market and China’s problematic record on human rights.
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