Ireland must be clear-eyed about China's strategic objectives, and about what these might mean for the EU and Ireland, the Tánaiste has said.
"China's worldview is different from ours. Our interests and values differ. This reality will inevitably shape how we engage with one another," Micheál Martin said in a keynote address to the Royal Irish Academy.
The Tánaiste said while Ireland valued its relationship with China, every country has an obligation to uphold the UN Charter.
"We want to work constructively together; addressing climate change, advancing sustainable development, ensuring the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, building a fair and open global trading and investment system.
"But we are not naive. And we do not intend to be silent when we see evidence of core principles being undermined," he said.
The Tánaiste also spoke about 'de-risking’ which he described as "developing our economic and systemic resilience, to in turn protect our values and interests".
But he added this does not mean turning "our backs on an economic, diplomatic and cultural relationship with China".
He focused too on the private sector, academia and other domestic partners urging them to reflect on how they can continue to build valuable relationships in China, in areas where it makes sense to do so.
"They need also, though, to assess their level of exposure and identify areas where may be necessary to de-risk," he said.
He said China had not acknowledged that Russia started the war in Ukraine - and that it is Russia that can, and must, end it.
