Micheál Martin first taoiseach in 14 years to meet China's leader 

Taoiseach arrived in Beijing on Sunday ahead of his meeting with Xi Jinping on Monday

President Xi Jinping will meet Micheál Martin today, Monday, after Ireland's Taoiseach arrived in Bejing on Sunday. Picture: AP

Micheál Martin will become the first taoiseach for 14 years to meet a Chinese president when he sits down with Xi Jinping in Beijing today, Monday, seeking to strengthen economic and political ties between the two nations.

Mr Martin arrived in the capital of China on Sunday ahead of his meeting with Mr Xi on Monday.