Europe (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin is set to visit China as Beijing steps up diplomatic efforts to strengthen relations with the European Union.
As Beijing strengthens ties with individual members of the European Union bloc, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin will make his first visit to China since 2012, according to the Asian nation’s foreign ministry.
According to a statement from the ministry, Martin will meet with Premier Li Qiang and President Xi Jinping in Beijing during his trip, which ends on Thursday, before traveling to Shanghai, a major business center.
“China is willing to take this visit as an opportunity to enhance political mutual trust and expand mutually beneficial cooperation with Ireland,”
it added in Saturday’s statement.
The visit coincides with that of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who is anticipated to speak with Xi about collaboration in cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence.
What economic deals are expected between Ireland and China?
Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s forthcoming visit to China signals strengthened bilateral profitable ties, fastening on Ireland’s crucial import strengths amid EU- China trade pressures.
Agreements to boost Irish medicinal exports( formerly€ 5bn annually to China) and tech collaborations, using Ireland’s part as EU gateway for Chinese enterprises like Huawei. Further openings for Irish beef, dairy, and seafood, erecting on 2016 beef deal worth€ 100m originally.
China seeks deeper green energy, fintech, and digital frugality ties, with implicit two- way investments via fabrics like the China- Ireland Joint Economic Commission. Shanghai business roundtables target balanced trade, as China ranks as Ireland’s 7th largest non-EU mate.
Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s January 4- 8, 2026, visit to China prioritizes heightening bilateral political trust and profitable cooperation amid EU- China pressures.
Meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang aim to foster high- position dialogue on global issues like multilateralism, free trade, and force chain stability. Martin seeks to place Ireland as a formative EU ground to Beijing.
Shanghai business forums target pharma, tech, agri- food exports, and green energy investments, erecting on€ 36 billion bilateral trade where Ireland holds a fat. conversations emphasize AI, advanced tech, and request access for Irish goods.
