Xi delegation kicks the awkward questions to touch

The English pronunciation of the Chinese vice-president’s name is “She” — and the Government’s maxim for this trip is: “Xi, Who Must Be Obeyed.”

Nothing has been left to chance, especially not the chance to allow journalists to ask Mr Xi any awkward questions about human rights. So it was a surprise to note the official schedule said he would see a “demonstration” at Croke Park.

But, of course, this was not a demonstration by Amnesty International for suppressed Christian group Falun Gong, but a demonstration of GAA skills, and Mr Xi even got in on the action with the sliotar. It was nice of Mr Xi to have a go, and one does not wish to be unfair about his first try, but as Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh might have put it: “Mr Xi’s father is from Dengzhou, his mother from Beijing — neither a hurling stronghold.”