Visit by Chinese vice-president ‘a coup’

Ireland will get a jump-start on the rest of Europe in developing trading and political relations with China as a result of the visit this weekend of Chinese vice-president Xi Jinping.

His visit, commencing on Saturday, is of great significance in terms of future political and trade relations, says Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney.

Widely anticipated to be China’s next president-elect, Mr Xi personally chose Ireland as the sole EU stop on his return from a visit to meet US President Barack Obama.