Taoiseach Micheál Martin has met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing at the start of a four-day official visit to China.
During his audience with Mr Xi in the capital's Great Hall this morning, the Taoiseach referenced the strong trade relationship between Ireland and China, and called for more open trade between the countries.
He also acknowledged what he called China's indispensable role in the world, highlighting the country's work at the UN.
Meanwhile, President Xi said there should be increased co-operation between the countries in areas such as AI and the digital economy.
The two also discussed Ireland's bilateral relationship with China, including economic ties, as well as broader EU-China relations.
Later, the Taoiseach toured Beijing's Forbidden City.
Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was the home of Chinese emperors for more than 500 years up until the 1920s.
The visit comes amid increased trade tension between the EU and China, which has led to higher tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles entering the single market as well as a new tariff on EU dairy products being sold in China.
It is also happening at a time of heightened global trade tensions spurred by a raft of tariffs placed on trading partners by US President Donald Trump.
While in Beijing, the Taoiseach is also meeting Irish and Chinese business leaders, and representatives of 12 Irish colleges in the city.
On Wednesday, Mr Martin will travel to China’s commercial hub in Shanghai, where he will meet the city’s mayor and business groups in sectors such as tourism and food & beverages.
He is scheduled to return to Ireland on Thursday evening.
This is the first visit to China by a sitting Taoiseach since 2012. However, Mr Martin visited the country in 2023 in his capacity as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs.
The Taoiseach said during his meetings with officials that he will raise "pressing global challenges including peace and security and the trading environment."
"I will stress the importance of a strong EU-China relationship, as well as robust and effective multilateral institutions," he added.
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China is Ireland’s fifth-largest trading partner, with total trade between the countries reaching €36 billion in 2023.
The main drivers of trade from the Irish side are in the medical-equipment, pharmaceutical, computer-services, and agri-food sectors.
However, financial services is becoming an increasingly important sector.
