Cowen snub has not caused rift with China, says minister

BRIAN COWEN’s decision to snub a trade mission to Shanghai in order to manage the medical cards crisis at home has not caused a rift with China, a cabinet minister has insisted.

Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe spent yesterday apologising for the Taoiseach’s absence as he deputised for him at a string of events in the rising superpower’s financial capital.

Despite the minister’s denials, a number of Irish and Chinese participants at the events said privately they felt embarrassed and slighted by Mr Cowen’s move to abandon the Shanghai part of the visit.