Taoiseach On Trade Mission To China

Following last months visit to Dublin of China’s leader-in-waiting, taoiseach Enda Kenny has begun a four-day trade mission to the country.

Mr Kenny will attend a series of events focusing on trade and investment.

With Irish exports to China increasing to €3.3bn in 2011 Mr Kenny said Ireland had been working hard to boost its image in China as it seeks investment as well as new markets for Irish goods to help the country emerge from a deep recession.

90 Irish companies are also taking part in the trade mission.

"We have greatly appreciated the positive signals from China in support of Europe's efforts to resolve the sovereign debt crisis," Mr Kenny said.

"There is no doubt that this has helped to stabilise financial markets and in the process made it much easier for us in Ireland to address our own problems," he added.

The Taoiseach will also seek to boost the number of Chinese tourists in Ireland and to increase cultural links between the two nations.

Ireland was the only EU country that Xi Jinping visited on his international tour last month.

Although his stop was focused on trade, the Chinese vice-premier also took time to try out Gaelic football and attend a performance of Riverdance.

(H)