Cowen to hold trade talks with Chinese premier

Taoiseach Brian Cowen will today hold talks with Chinese premier Wen Jiabao on growing trade and bilateral relations between Ireland and China.

Mr Cowen, who is in Beijing leading a Irish trade mission, will also attend an Enterprise Ireland business breakfast and promotional events organised by Tourism Ireland and an Bord Bia.

Later, a bilateral agreement will be signed between IDA Ireland and the China Development Bank.

The Taoiseach is due to make a keynote address at the China Foreign Affairs University in Beijing.

Bilateral agreements will also be signed between the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority and the China Bank Regulatory Commission and the China Securities Regulatory Commission.

Tomorrow, Mr Cowen will attend the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit in Beijing.