Tánaiste to visit China this week following accusations of 'misleading' comments

Micheál Martin said the Government and private sector need to be 'realistic' and 'clear-eyed' about China's strategic objectives and their implications for Ireland

Party leader Micheal Martin addresses the Fianna Fail annual conference at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre in Dublin. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Tánaiste Micheál Martin is to hold a number of political engagements during a four-day visit to China just months after he was accused of making “misleading” and “groundless accusations” against the country.

It is understood a number of the Tánaiste’s meetings and engagements in Beijing on Monday risk being rearranged or cancelled due to a flight delay in Dublin. 

Mr Martin was due to meet with Vice President Han Zheng on Monday, as well as Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi, to discuss Ireland’s bilateral relationship with China and the EU-China relationship, as well as exchanging views on foreign policy issues and global challenges.

Speaking before his flight, Mr Martin said: "I very much look forward to renewing the political, cultural, and economic connections between China and Ireland, and to communicating the Government’s priorities for the relationship.

“My meetings and engagements in Beijing provide an opportunity to outline Ireland’s policy objectives and to discuss a range of global challenges, including climate change, the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, the situation in Ukraine and the crisis in the Middle East.” 

Earlier this year, the Fianna Fáil leader said the Government and private sector need to be "realistic" and "clear-eyed" about China's strategic objectives and their implications for Ireland. 

He also said the private sector and academia need to assess their relationship with China and areas where they may need to “de-risk”.

In response, the Chinese embassy in Ireland said Mr Martin’s remarks could risk a “brighter future” for the relationship between the two countries. 

The embassy said that the Tánaiste “made misleading comments on China’s stance on current international hot issues” and made “groundless accusations” against China on issues related to Taiwan, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong, interfering in China's internal affairs. 

In a recent interview with the Irish Examiner, the Chinese ambassador to Ireland, He Xiangdong was also critical of Mr Martin’s comments saying he was confused to hear Mr Martin speaking about “de-risking” with China, adding he was trying to figure out what the risks are.

Mr Martin’s comments may result in some difficult conversations while in China this week and it’s expected he will raise human rights issues and the issue of derisking may emerge. 

The Tánaiste will also engage with the Irish community and business leaders and will address students at the Beijing Foreign Studies University, which hosts an Irish Studies Centre. 

In Shanghai, Mr Martin will formally open the new Ireland House offices which host Ireland’s Consulate General and State Agencies. 

His programme will also include an address at the China Europe International Business School on Ireland’s EU journey and EU-China relations and meetings with Irish businesses and the Irish community residents in Shanghai.

China is Ireland’s largest trading partner in Asia Pacific. Last year alone, this amounted to €27.9bn in goods. Ireland exported €9.5bn in services to China in 2021.