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Ministerial Meetings

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 April 2014

Thursday, 10 April 2014

Questions (16)

Joe Higgins

Question:

16. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on his visit to China and his meetings with Government officials and business leaders. [16815/14]

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Written answers

As part of the Government's Promote Ireland Programme, I travelled to Shanghai, Hong Kong and Beijing for the St. Patrick's Day period, participating in 25 events over 8 days in 3 cities. Priorities for Ireland are the Tourism, Culture, Agriculture, Education, Financial Services and Science & Technology sectors. Thus, my programme included events designed to encourage business opportunities in these areas.

In Shanghai, I attended and spoke at a number of engagements aimed at promoting Ireland, from a Bord Bia-organised showcase of Irish seafood to a networking dinner to increase the profile of Ireland's capacity in the technology sector, as well as visiting Fudan University School of Computer Science, presenting the "i-Shamrock" Software Award to students.

The main focus of the visit to Hong Kong was on connecting with the estimated 3,000 strong Irish community in the city, in light of the Government's recent decision to open a career Consulate General in 2014. While there, I met the Irish Chamber of Commerce, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, spoke at the GAA Ladies All-Stars Exhibition Game, which took place under lights at Hong Kong Football club and spoke at the St Patrick's Society Ball which drew an attendance of some 450.

In Beijing, I met with both the outgoing and incoming Ambassadors of China to Ireland, Luo Linquan and Xu Jianguo, I spoke at the Embassy's St Patrick's Day reception and several other events including the China Ireland Research event. 

In order to build on the relationship between China Investment Corporation (CIC) the fifth largest investment fund in the world and the NTMA/ NPRF, I met with their most senior management discussing potential for investment in Ireland.

Of course, one of Ireland's unique selling points is our rich cultural heritage. According to Fáilte Ireland every 1,000 additional tourists support 15 jobs in that sector. Culture is an asset and so I participated in a series of cultural events, including attending a sell-out concert by Altan in the large Forbidden City Concert Hall (supported by Culture Ireland and the State Agencies in China). I opened an exhibition of works by Irish artists Fion Gunn, Niamh Cunningham and Sean Campbell at the China Central Mall (also funded by Culture Ireland) and visited a continuing exhibition by Chinese and Irish artists at the 798 Art City in Beijing. In an unprecedented and unique gesture of friendship, Chinese officials agreed to the "Greening" of the Great Wall of China. I presided at that historic event at midnight on 16 March.

Throughout the visit, I undertook media opportunities aimed at actively promoting the story of Ireland's recovery, giving an extensive interview to Caixin, China's foremost business and finance weekly magazine, as well as to the flagship interview platform with Hong Kong based Phoenix TV channel, which reaches some 200 million Chinese viewers.

The South China Morning Post, the largest circulation independent English-language newspaper, carried an opinion piece I wrote on 14 March 2014 and my interview with the same paper ran on 15 March. I have forwarded copies of both. A selection of photos may be found on my Department's website, per.gov.ie, where you will also find my recent blog post on the visit.

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