Strengthening the ties that bind China to Ireland

The charm of Irish culture is becoming more attractive to the Chinese, as relations between the nations continue to grow in value and importance, writes Chinese ambassador Luo Linquan

IN THE 33 years since diplomatic relations were established between Ireland and China, the bilateral ties based on mutual respect and equal treatment have developed smoothly. The relationship has become a model of friendly co-existence for countries that have different territory sizes, social systems, and cultural traditions.

In recent years, China and Ireland have seen closer high-level contacts, wider economic and trade co-operation, fruitful co-operation on areas such as education, technology and culture, and enjoyed more active non-governmental exchanges.

According to Chinese statistics, bilateral trade reached $5.87bn in 2011, up by 8.6% year on year, and has increased by more than 1,000 times since 1979. China has been Ireland’s biggest trading partner in Asia for five consecutive years and Ireland has recorded a surplus in trade with China for three years, with a trade surplus of over $1.5bn in 2011. By the end of 2011, Ireland had invested $641m in 241 projects in China. Although China started late in investing in Ireland, its investment is growing fast with paid-in investment already reaching $148m.

The unique charm of Irish culture is becoming more and more attractive to the Chinese and the profound Chinese culture is raising great interest among the Irish people. Riverdance is very popular in China and St Patrick’s Day has been celebrated in Beijing and Shanghai in recent years. There are nearly 10,000 Chinese students studying in Ireland, and the two Confucius institutes and several Confucius classrooms in Ireland provide good platforms for Irish friends who are fond of Chinese culture.

This year opens a new chapter for China-Ireland relations. Xi Jinping, the vice-president of the People’s Republic of China, paid an official visit to Ireland from Feb 18 to 20 at the invitation of Taoiseach Enda Kenny. The visit was of special significance because it was an important one by a Chinese leader since the new Irish Government was formed last March. Mr Xi also held talks with President Michael D Higgins, Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett and Cathaoirleach Paddy Burke.

Seven agreements or memoranda of understanding covering numerous sectors, including service trade, two-way investments, agriculture, education, technology, and new energy were signed between the governmental departments, chambers of commerce, and corporations of both countries.

Mr Xi also visited and chatted with a local farmer in Co Clare to learn about his farm and life. He even took time out of his busy schedule to watch popular Gaelic football and hurling matches and Riverdance. The visit has elevated China-Ireland traditional friendship and mutual trust and transformed the sound political relations into mutually beneficial pragmatic co-operation, and been a great success.

JUST one month after Mr Xi’s visit, to promote China-Ireland relations to a higher level, at the invitation of the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, the Taoiseach is now paying an official visit to China. It is his first trip to China and the Chinese side attaches great importance to the visit, willing to make joint efforts with the Irish side to ensure the success of the visit and inject a new impetus into the development of the bilateral relations.

The international situation is currently undergoing complex and profound changes. The world economic recovery remains an uphill struggle. We believe it is in the common interest of the two countries and the two peoples to further China-Ireland relations, and it is a choice that represents the trend of China-Europe relations development. Both China and Ireland should have their eyes on long-term development. The two should strengthen mutual respect and trust, promote complementary co-operation and achieve mutual benefits and common developments.

We should firstly maintain close high-level contacts and enhance inter-agency exchanges at various levels, with a view to increasing political mutual trust and cooperation in regional and international affairs. Secondly, seize the opportunities, expand bilateral trade and advance trade in services, with the China-Ireland Economic and Scientific Joint Commission fully playing its role, support small and medium-sized enterprises, enhance two-way investment, and develop co-operation in high technology and emerging industries, fully unlock the potential of bilateral trade, and pursue common development and bring the mutually beneficial cooperation to a higher and broader level. Thirdly, promote people-to-people communications, especially between youths, encourage cooperation between art institutions, and enhance cooperation on culture, education and technology, with a view to enhancing mutual understanding and friendship.

China is a reliable friend that Ireland and other European countries can count on in addressing Europe’s debt crisis and realising recovery. China will continue to support, in a responsible way and as its ability permits, the efforts of the EU, IMF, and ECB to tackle the European debt problem, enhance policy communication and coordination with the EU, promote China-EU business, investment and financial cooperation, and join in supporting Europe and the eurozone. We are confident Europe has the wisdom, capability and ways to overcome difficulties and make progress.

* Luo Linquan is the Chinese ambassador to Ireland