President McAleese leads delegation to China

President Mary McAleese leaves the country today to lead the biggest ever Irish trade delegation to China for the next nine days.

The president will also meet the Chinese President and the Chinese Premier.

The Minister for Education Noel Dempsey is also travelling in the delegation, which will arrive in Hong Kong tomorrow afternoon.

While there they will promote business and trade links and open a new factory in Shenyang province for Glen Dimplex, the Irish electrical goods manufacturer.

In all 82 companies and institutions expect to carry out deals worth and estimated €40m during the visit.