Coveney: China anxious to address human rights issues

The Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney has said China is Ireland's most exciting market outside the EU, in terms of growth and buying power.

A number of trade deals between the two countries were signed last night, as part of the visit of China's Vice-President Xi Jinping.

There is also growing speculation that Taoiseach Enda Kenny could visit China by the end of March, after Mr Xi issued an invitation last night.

The Agriculture Minister this morning denied that Ireland is "looking the other way" on human rights during this visit.

Mr Coveney said: "We are not looking the other way on human rights. I was at the meeing yesterday between the Taoiseach and the vice-president and the Taoiseach raised the issue of human rights and got a very positive and pro-active response from the vice-president.

"They are aware of this issue and they are anxious to address it.

"There are a series of human rights dialogues going on as we speak between the EU and China, but I don’t think that should prevent us from developing a commercial relationship that can be of benefit to both countries."