China is willing to strengthen dialogue with Ireland, enhance mutual trust, and properly handle differences, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during a meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin in Dublin.
Mr Wang said that China is willing to work with Ireland to be constructive forces in multipolarisation, and contribute to world peace, stability and development, according to a readout released by the foreign ministry.
Mr Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris met Mr Wang at Government Buildings, with bilateral relations between Ireland and China the focus of discussions.
Ahead of the meeting, Mr Mr Martin said it "offers another opportunity to discuss strengthening relations between Ireland and China as well as global issues".
"China is now Ireland's largest trading partner in the Asia Pacific region," he added.
"At a time of growing global uncertainty, we need to work with all partners to effectively address our shared challenges.
"This includes securing a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine based on the principles of the UN Charter and working to sustain ceasefires in the Middle East and towards durable peace based on a two-state solution."
China hosted the Taoiseach in Beijing and Shanghai in November 2023, then Premier Li Qang visited Ireland the following January.
Just concluded a nearly 2 hour meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Iveagh House. It was an opportunity to discuss the bilateral relations between our two countries, the importance of our trading relationship and also many pressing global issues and human rights. 🇮🇪🇨🇳 pic.twitter.com/kngtIIQ7X4
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) February 17, 2025
Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne said it is crucial that the issue of human rights abuses is raised at these meetings.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he said: "It is important that we maintain and strengthen our diplomatic, economic and cultural links with China.
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"While we continue to raise Ireland's interests, it's also important that we express what has always been the foreign policy values of Ireland and that's a strong emphasis on human rights and the rule of law."
Mr Byrne said it was important for Ireland's representatives to be honest in their discussions.
"If you want to have positive relations you've got to be honest. In the same way that Ireland will raise geopolitical concerns when our representatives travel to the United States, the same issues have to be raised when it comes to China," he said.
Additional reporting Mícheál Lehane
