China’s Xi, Irish PM Hold Talks on Economic Ties
Martin touched down in Beijing Sunday, launching a five-day official state visit—the first by an Irish head of government in over a decade.
"Mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit are valuable experiences gathered from the long-term steady development of China-Ireland relations," Xi stated during their meeting.
The Irish leader's trip, extending until Thursday, includes scheduled meetings in Shanghai with top Chinese policymakers and corporate executives.
"The two sides should jointly pass them down and carry them forward. China is ready to work with Ireland to strengthen strategic communication, deepen political mutual trust and expand practical cooperation, to deliver more benefits to the two peoples and provide more impetus for China-Europe relations," Xi declared, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning.
Given both nations' backing of multilateralism and advocacy for global fairness, "the two sides should strengthen coordination and cooperation in international affairs, jointly uphold the authority of the U.N., and work for a more just and equitable global governance system," Xi remarked, per a Chinese Foreign Ministry website statement.
Xi emphasized that China and the EU "should keep a long-term perspective, stay committed to working together as partners, view and handle differences in an objective and rational way, and pursue mutually beneficial cooperation."
Martin pressed for "increased openness" in bilateral trade relations, emphasizing the critical nature of robust economic links between Dublin and Beijing, an Irish government statement confirmed.
The Irish premier championed open market principles, noting mutual advantages from collaborative participation in international commerce.
Ireland counts China as its premier Asian trading partner, with bilateral commerce totaling approximately $42 billion annually, making Beijing its fifth-largest global trading counterpart.
Xi mirrored those views while signaling Chinese ambitions to expand pragmatic collaboration spanning multiple industries—including artificial intelligence, digital economy sectors, healthcare infrastructure, and education systems. He stressed Beijing's desire to enhance strategic dialogue and political confidence with Ireland, underlining multilateral coordination on worldwide challenges, the Irish statement noted.
Both leaders reinforced their dedication to multilateralism and U.N. authority while exploring broader China-EU relationship development.
Chinese representatives acknowledged Ireland's forthcoming assumption of the rotating EU Council presidency later this year, voicing expectations that Dublin would play a positive role in advancing China-EU ties, the statement indicated.
Martin's visit unfolds against a backdrop of escalating EU-China trade friction, with Beijing's recent tariffs on select European dairy goods and electric vehicles intensifying pressure on commercial relations.
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