Joan Burton
Ceist:83. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his visit to China. [14023/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 28 March 2018
Ceisteanna (83, 105)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:105. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his recent visit to China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14029/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 105 together.
I visited China from 12-17 March 2018, where I engaged in a wide-ranging St Patrick’s Day programme which incorporated meetings and events with a range of political, business, cultural and Irish community interlocutors.
St. Patrick’s Day offers a unique opportunity to showcase Ireland in China. The main objectives for my visit included further enhancing our bilateral political relations, making solid economic progress on both trade and investment priorities and also connecting with the Irish communities in China celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.
The four-city visit began in Hong Kong, and included a meeting with the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Mrs. Carrie Lam. I engaged in meetings with Enterprise Ireland client companies, the Irish Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong representatives of the Irish Funds network, and participated in the launch of Bord Bia’s ‘East meets West’ Cookery competition. Finally, I attended the St Patrick’s Day reception in Hong Kong, where I was joined by Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung and a range of key community, cultural and business contacts.
From Hong Kong, I travelled on to Shenzhen and Shanghai, where I met with a range of Bord Bia, IDA and Enterprise Ireland client companies, undertook media engagements, and attended both an official and Irish community St Patrick’s Day receptions.
Finally, I visited Beijing, where I had a number of political meetings, including with Foreign Minister Wang Yi. We discussed a wide range of domestic and regional political and economic developments, as well as bilateral and international issues. On 15 March, I was delighted to be present at the launch of the direct flight between Dublin and Beijing, which will be operated by Hainan Airlines from June 2018 and will have a transformative effect on our relations. I participated in a range of events to promote trade and investment between Ireland and China, with a particular focus on the aviation, agri-food, financial services, education and ICT sectors. In addition, I witnessed the Greening of the Great Wall of China and attended the annual St Patrick’s Day Reception which included the attendance of official, media and business contacts, as well as members of the Irish community.
The range and scale of events in China to mark St. Patrick’s Day is very impressive and I was very happy with the level of engagement by Chinese authorities. My visit for Saint Patrick’s Day provided me an important opportunity to pursue Ireland’s interests in a major world power and the second largest global economy.