Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2024
115. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the visit of Chinese premier Li Qiang to Ireland, including the itinerary of the visit, the engagements Government held with the premier, the issues raised by Government at those engagements and the human rights issues that were raised by the Government; the issues raised by the Chinese delegation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2965/24]
View answerPremier Li Qiang visited Ireland on 16th and 17th of January, at the request of the Chinese authorities. The visit followed the Premier's engagement at Davos and a bilateral programme in Switzerland.
The Premier paid a courtesy call on President Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin before being welcomed by the Taoiseach at Farmleigh House for a bilateral meeting and a lunch, which was also attended by a number of Cabinet Ministers.
Meetings covered a range of topics including bilateral relations, human rights, EU-China relations, multilateral engagement and regional and international issues, including the situation in Ukraine and the Israel-Palestine conflict. Premier Li expressed interest in growing Ireland-China relations, including in trade, green low-carbon development, and sustainable agriculture. He also availed of his visit to announce the resumption of Irish beef exports to China and to extend a 15 day visa waiver to Irish citizens travelling to China for tourism or business purposes.
In his discussions with Premier Li, the Taoiseach communicated Ireland’s priorities for our relationship with China and recalled the values which underpin our engagement, including the global multilateral system. He welcomed the recent EU-China Summit, and Premier Li's meeting in Davos with President Von Der Leyen and set out the EU, and Ireland's, desire for a balanced, reciprocal trade relationship with China, and a level playing field for Irish and EU businesses. The Taoiseach made clear that derisking is not decoupling.
Both the Taoiseach and President Higgins set out Ireland's long-held concerns around the human rights situation in China. The Taoiseach specifically raised concerns about the treatment of minorities in Tibet and Xinjiang, as well as the National Security Law in Hong Kong and the case of Jimmy Lai. The Taoiseach also raised Russia's war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East. A positive discussion on climate also took place and both the Taoiseach and Premier Li agreed on the need for Ireland and China to work in partnership, at a global level, to face this critical global challenge.
