Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin is set to visit China from Sunday through Thursday, marking the first trip by an Irish Taoiseach to Beijing since 2012. The visit underscores China’s ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral ties with individual European Union members.

Scheduled Meetings and Agenda

During his trip, Prime Minister Martin will meet with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, as well as other senior Chinese officials in Beijing. Following these meetings, Martin is expected to travel to Shanghai, China’s commercial hub, to engage in discussions on trade, investment, and economic cooperation.

China’s foreign ministry stated that the visit will serve as an opportunity to “enhance political mutual trust and expand mutually beneficial cooperation with Ireland.”

The trip coincides with a visit by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who is expected to focus on collaboration in artificial intelligence and advanced technologies during his meetings with Chinese leaders.

Significance for EU-China Relations

Martin’s visit reflects Beijing’s strategy of engaging with individual EU member states to build stronger political and economic ties, even as broader EU-China relations face challenges. By fostering bilateral agreements, China aims to strengthen trade and investment partnerships across Europe, while also increasing dialogue on technology, infrastructure, and green energy initiatives.

For Ireland, the visit presents opportunities to boost trade, attract Chinese investment, and deepen cooperation on high-tech sectors, particularly in AI and renewable energy, aligning with Ireland’s economic growth objectives.

The visit marks a pivotal moment in Ireland-China relations, signaling renewed diplomatic engagement and the potential for expanded economic partnerships.