Chinese visit - Partnership is a source of pride

By any assessment, the visit of Chinese vice-president Xi Jinping to Ireland represents a remarkable coup for this country.

It would be hard to exaggerate its significance in terms of developing trade, investment, tourism and educational links between this country and China, the world’s fastest growing economy.

Other EU states will view with envy, and more than a little wonderment, the decision by one of the most powerful politicians on the planet and incoming leader of the populous nation to follow his five-day visit to the US, during which he met President Barack Obama, with a three-day stopover in Ireland.