Cork County Mayor reflects on valuable trade mission to China
Cllr Frank O'Flynn, Cork County Mayor, pictured in Jiangsu with Irish and Chinese delegates.
You can’t get more rural than the Mayor of County Cork, living on the outskirts of the small the village of Glanworth (population of less than 1,000).
So, when he visited China on a ‘diplomatic mission’ to encourage more economic links between his county and the second biggest economy in the world he was ‘blown away’ by the size of the city of Nanjing which has a population of nearly 10m.
Last December, Cork County Mayor Frank O’Flynn visited the region and arriving at Beijing Daxing International Airport; he marvelled “at modern architecture that transported him to a different world.”
He said the airport’s sprawling design and efficient layout showcased China’s rapid development and innovation.
“My busy schedule kicked off on a Monday with a meeting with the Ambassador and her Economics Counsellor and others delegations. Their insights into China’s economic landscape set the tone for the trip. Afterwards, I boarded a high-speed train to Nanjing, a city that beautifully blends ancient history with modern progress. Even the train journey was an experience,” he said.
Upon arriving in Nanjing, O’Flynn’s first engagement was a meeting with the Jiangsu Provincial Foreign Affairs Office.
He said the discussions were “enlightening, offering a deeper understanding of the city’s strategic importance and international collaboration The following day “continued at a hectic pace” with visits to the Nanjing City of Literature Promotion Centre, the Yuhuatai Software Valley, and the Jinling Library.
O’Flynn said each visit highlighted Nanjing’s "dedication to cultural preservation and technological advancement."
“The similarities with striking that balance resonated with me. As Ireland is known as the land of saints and scholars, the City of Literature Promotion Centre was particularly inspiring, emphasising its rich literary heritage and its efforts to promote contemporary writers,” he added.
On the Wednesday he got a guided tour of Nanjing Museum with its extensive collections spanning thousands of years, providing a fascinating overview of its past.
“Later that day, I visited the Nanjing Foreign Language School, where I had the honour of serving on the judging panel for the Nanjing Shamrock Cup competition, which is sponsored by Cork County Council. The event culminated in an award ceremony that celebrated the talents and hard work of the students,” O’Flynn said.
He went on to see the Laomendong Commercial District, “a vibrant commercial area” and then got a tour of the Jiangning Development Zone.
“This area is a hub of economic activity and innovation, reflecting Nanjing’s strategic planning and future aspirations. I met with the local Enterprise Ireland team, the IDA Ireland team, the China manager of Bord Bia, the Deputy Consul General and UCC Erasmus students. Each meeting was insightful, providing a deeper understanding of economic and educational connections between Ireland and China,” O’Flynn added.
He said the UCC Erasmus students in China “shared their excitement about the vibrant academic and cultural environment they were ex-periencing”.
“I couldn’t help but feel this trip had significantly broadened my knowledge. It reinforced the importance of international cooperation and cultural exchange in today’s interconnected world,” O’Flynn added.
