Chinese takeaway mission

THERE was a time when China was associated in Irish minds with foreign marvels such as kung fu, fireworks and tinned lychees.

Now Enda Kenny is there in search of other exotica not readily available at home, namely growth, consumer confidence and cash.

Such importance is being attached to the Taoiseach’s trip, and to the preceding visit to Ireland by China’s president-in-waiting Xi Jinping last month, that it would be understandable to think that this level of contact between the two countries is unprecedented.