Agreement Reached on Strengthening China–Ireland Relations, Expectations for New Momentum in China–EU Cooperation

Beijing — Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that China is willing to strengthen strategic dialogue with Ireland, deepen mutual political trust, and expand practical cooperation, noting that this would benefit the peoples of both countries and inject fresh momentum into China–European Union (EU) relations.

During a meeting with Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Micheál Martin in Beijing on Monday, President Xi emphasized expanding economic and trade cooperation, coordinating development strategies in areas such as artificial intelligence, the digital economy, pharmaceuticals, and health, promoting two-way investment, and advancing shared development.

He also stressed the need to enhance cooperation in education, culture, and tourism to strengthen people-to-people ties, and made it clear that China would welcome more Irish young people to study and participate in exchange programs.

According to President Xi, both China and Ireland support multilateralism and stand for international justice and fairness. He underscored the importance of increasing coordination and cooperation in international affairs, working together to uphold the authority of the United Nations, and promoting a more just and inclusive global governance system.

Speaking on China–EU relations, President Xi said that a long-term perspective should be adopted to maintain the foundation of partnership, properly manage differences in an objective and rational manner, and advance win-win cooperation. In the context of Ireland assuming the rotating presidency of the EU in the second half of this year, he expressed the expectation that Ireland would play a constructive role in promoting the healthy and stable development of China–EU relations.

At the meeting, Prime Minister Micheál Martin stated that Ireland has consistently and firmly supported the One-China policy and is committed to developing a mutually beneficial strategic partnership with China. He noted that Ireland is willing to deepen cooperation with China in areas including trade, investment, science and technology, biomedicine, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and education.