Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin in Beijing on Tuesday, stating that China is ready to advance high-quality pragmatic cooperation with Ireland, consolidate political mutual trust, and elevate bilateral relations. Martin expressed Ireland's willingness to strengthen exchanges and welcome more Chinese investments, while playing a constructive role in EU-China dialogue. The meeting occurred during Martin's five-day official visit to China.
On Tuesday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang hosted a welcoming ceremony for Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. During their meeting, Li highlighted the strong economic complementarity between the two nations and urged aligning development strategies to tap potential in various sectors, including services trade such as aircraft leasing, insurance, and healthcare, as well as green energy, the digital economy, and artificial intelligence. He also called for deeper personnel exchanges and cultural ties to bolster public support for relations.
Amid severe challenges to the international economic and trade order, Li stressed enhancing multilateral coordination with Ireland to uphold multilateralism and free trade, guiding the global order toward greater justice. With Ireland set to assume the EU rotating presidency in the second half of the year, he hoped it would actively promote China-EU cooperation.
Martin affirmed Ireland's intent to strengthen exchanges at all levels, welcome more Chinese firms to invest, and oppose unilateralism and protectionism. He added that his country is prepared to contribute constructively to EU-China dialogue and cooperation. That day, Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, also met Martin, who held discussions with representatives from several companies.
In a social media post, Martin noted "significant investment opportunities between Ireland and China" that could aid Ireland's economic growth. Experts view China-Ireland ties as steady with a solid foundation, and the visit as strategically important for both consolidating cooperation and exploring new areas. Jian Junbo, director of the Center for China-Europe Relations at Fudan University, observed that unlike China's surplus with the EU overall, trade with Ireland shows a deficit for China, and expanding it could optimize broader EU trade structures. Cui Hongjian, director of European studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said the visit reflects EU members' growing need to deepen ties with China, as a responsible power offering a distinct approach to international affairs, aiding global stability.
