Press release
Tánaiste meets with Vice President Han Zheng
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Michéal Martin, began his four-day visit to China in Beijing today (Monday).
The Tánaiste’s first engagement was a meeting with Vice President Han Zheng at the Great Hall of the People. The Tánaiste extended his condolences to the Vice President on the death of former Premier Li Kiqiang.
The parties discussed Ireland-China relations, economic opportunities and exchanged views on critical global challenges, including the war in Ukraine and the Middle East.
The Tánaiste said:
"I am very pleased to be here in Beijing and to have had the opportunity to meet with Vice President Han in the Great Hall of the People. We had a constructive exchange on the strong ties between our two countries and discussed areas where Ireland and China can deepen our cooperation on issues of global significance such as climate change and sustainable development.
"We also discussed the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East. I recalled the centrality of the multilateral system in addressing these situations and the responsibility on both Ireland and China, as stakeholders in the international system, to uphold the rules based international order and protect human rights. This includes calling out violations of the UN Charter, where they occur, and supporting the broader UN framework.”
The Tánaiste’s programme in Beijing continues tomorrow.
Image: Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Michéal Martin, met Vice President Han Zheng at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing today.