September 11 and 12, Ambassador He Xiangdong visited Cork, and met with Lord Mayor Dan Boyle, Cllr. Alan Coleman, deputising for the County Mayor and County Chief Executive Moira Murrell.

Ambassador He appreciated the passion of Cork City and County for actively developing relations with China and hoped that Cork would continue to play a demonstration role in the local government cooperation between the two countries, make full use of the channels of twinningship with Shanghai and Jiangsu, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, culture, education, medical care, and make greater contributions to promoting the development of China-Ireland relations and enhancing the friendship between the two peoples.

Lord Mayor Boyle and Cllr. Coleman welcomed Ambassador He's visit to Cork again, and briefed him the news about exchanges and cooperation , and between Cork County and Jiangsu Province. They expressed willingness to continue to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation with China to better serve the development of Cork through exchanges and mutual learning.

During the visit, Ambassador He also attended the signing of the updated Memorandum of Understanding on Health between Cork Kerry Community Healthcare and Shanghai Health Commission, under the Cork Shanghai Sister City agreement.