From modh choinníollach to Mandarin Chinese — Gaelscoil pupils are about to wrap their tongues around the world’s most spoken language.

Irish students will attend marital arts and origami classes as part of one of the country’s largest ever student exchange trips to China.

There has been huge demand for Chinese lessons since Ireland began increasing the number of trade missions to the Far East.

CORK’S business leaders will sign a new agreement with one of China’s biggest and most influential business groups this week, which could lead to a surge in trade between the two countries.