A resounding success - Relations with China

As President Michael D Higgins returns home today after his week-long State visit to China, it has to be acknowledged that it was a resounding success. 

The fact that the invitation came from President Xi Jinping has put Ireland squarely on the Chinese map of the world. It is no exaggeration to say that other nations would be jealous of the political edge gained by the Irish mission in terms of opening doors to China’s vast market of 1.3bn people.

With the Chinese leader already accepting an invitation from President Higgins to pay a State visit to Ireland, there can be no doubt relations between the countries have been further improved. As President Higgins put it, his visit will “accelerate action in certain areas”, especially by increasing food and other exports to China, strengthening business and educational links, a process which began during his visit, and by bringing droves of wealthy Chinese tourists here.