President begins Chinese visit

President Mary McAleese will touch down in China today for a five-day official visit to support business links between the countries.

The President will begin her tour by holding talks with Vice President Xi Jinping at Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing before being guest of honour at his lunch.

Children of migrant workers will meet Ms McAleese tomorrow as she spends the morning at Bai Nian Vocational School in Beijing.

Her programme of events on Tuesday include a giving an address to Chinese and Irish business leaders at a breakfast hosted by Enterprise Ireland and meeting students and staff of Renmin University of China where she will talk on the theme “Ireland-China relations, the next phase”.

That evening, President McAleese will attend a reception for Beijing’s Irish community and other friends of Ireland.

On Wednesday she will travel to Shanghai, which is currently hosting Expo 2010, where she will attend an evening reception for its Irish community.

Ireland’s National Day at Expo 2010 will be celebrated on Thursday, with the President visiting the Ireland and China pavilions at the site.

Throughout the day she will attend a flag-raising ceremony, be the guest of honour at lunch hosted by the Mayor of Shanghai and enjoy an Irish Chamber Orchestra concert.

On the final day of her trip, Friday, the President’s programme will focus on support for Irish business development in China.

Prof McAleese will again a talk at an Enterprise Ireland business breakfast before attending a Tourism Ireland book launch and an IDA-hosted lunch for Chinese business leaders.

The President’s visit will conclude that afternoon with an address at a Bord Bia seminar before departure for Dublin.