On March 15, 2018, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met in Beijing with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Coveney of Ireland.

Wang Yi expressed that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Ireland nearly 40 years ago, bilateral relations have always maintained stable and sound development with the two peoples holding friendly feelings towards each other. Ireland is an important cooperative partner of China in Europe, and China is willing to continuously follow the spirit of mutual respect and equal treatment, enhance mutual understanding and consolidate political mutual trust, so as to promote practical cooperation and exchanges in various fields. China appreciates Ireland’s positive response to the Belt and Road Initiative, and welcomes Ireland to take part in the first China International Import Expo to be held in Shanghai this November. China is pleased to see the upcoming launch of the first direct flight from Beijing to Dublin and expects both sides to strengthen cooperation in such areas as economy and trade, investment and infrastructure construction, jointly safeguard global trade system with the World Trade Organization as its core as well as oppose protectionism in all its forms.

Simon Coveney congratulated China on the successful convening of the “Two Sessions” and expressed that Ireland is willing to be China’s sincere and good friend in the European Union (EU). It is hoped that both countries will take the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ireland and China in 2019 as an opportunity to further intensify high-level exchanges between the two countries, deepen communication and cooperation in various fields such as economy and trade and people-to-people and cultural engagement as well as strengthen communication and coordination in international affairs, in a bid to elevate Ireland-China relations to higher levels on the basis of mutual respect, mutual benefit and win-win results. Ireland stands ready to become the bridge and gateway for Chinese enterprises to exploit the markets in the EU and welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest and establish business in Ireland. The Irish side will officially issue five-year multi-entry business visas and three-year multi-entry tourist visas to Chinese nationals and actively advance the realization of direct flight to provide convenience for Chinese nationals travelling to and doing business in Ireland. The Belt and Road Initiative is another great opening up of China towards the world. The Irish side is willing to take an active part in it as a strategic partner, and make in-depth discussions on cooperation with China to jointly send the positive signal of supporting economic globalization, trade liberalization, investment facilitation and opposing protectionism. Ireland will actively participate in the first China International Import Expo.

Both sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern including Africa, the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula.