On June 3, Ambassador Zhao Xiyuan met with Mr. Joe Hackett, Secretary General of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, having deep exchanges on China-Ireland relations and China-EU relations.

Ambassador Zhao said that China-Ireland relations have been enjoying sound momentum. Bilateral economic and trade cooperation as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges have been continuously deepened, and the Strategic Partnership of Mutual Benefit between the two countries has continued to deepen and solidify. It is hoped that Ireland could contribute new impetus to the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations during its EU presidency in the second half of this year.

Mr. Hackett said that the visit of Taoiseach Micheál Martin to China earlier this year yielded significant and fruitful results, advanced and deepened bilateral relations between China and Ireland. Ireland is willing to maintain communication with China on issues of mutual concern and play a constructive role in promoting dialogue and cooperation between Europe and China.