Micheál Martin is expected to travel to China to hold talks with President Xi Jinping, according to an announcement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
The Taoiseach’s visit to the country next week will mark the first trip by an Irish leader in 14 years, reports Breaking News.
Beijing has been deepening relationships with individual European Union member states despite ongoing strains with the EU bloc over tariffs and concerns around human rights.
Toward the end of 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron and Spain’s King Felipe VI each held separate meetings with President Xi during visits to China, reports Breaking News.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is scheduled to travel to China in late January, after previously meeting the Chinese leader at the G20 summit in Brazil in 2024.
Over the course of his five-day visit, Mr Martin will also hold meetings with Chinese premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, chair of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, according to a ministry statement, and will travel to Shanghai, reports Breaking News.
China’s foreign ministry said it is prepared to collaborate with Ireland to broaden cooperation and support stronger China-EU relations.
Mr Martin previously met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Dublin in February 2025, where discussions focused on EU-China relations, trade, human rights, and
Micheál Martin is expected to visit China for talks with President Xi Jinping, according to an announcement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
The Taoiseach’s planned journey next week will mark the first time an Irish head of government has travelled to China in 14 years, reports Breaking News.
China has been working to deepen relationships with individual European Union states despite ongoing disputes with the EU bloc over tariffs and human rights concerns.
Towards the end of 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron and Spain’s King Felipe VI both held separate meetings with President Xi during visits to China, reports Breaking News.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is scheduled to travel to China in late January, after previously meeting China’s leader at the G20 summit in Brazil in 2024.
Over the course of his five-day visit, Mr Martin is also set to meet Chinese premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, chair of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, and will spend time in Shanghai, the ministry confirmed in a statement, reports Breaking News.
China’s foreign ministry said it is prepared to collaborate with Ireland to broaden cooperation and promote stronger China-EU relations.
Mr Martin previously met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Dublin in February 2025, where discussions covered EU-China ties, trade, human rights, and the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, reports Breaking News.
In December, China introduced provisional tariffs of up to 42.7 per cent on EU dairy imports, including milk and cheese.
Beijing also launched investigations into European brandy and pork imports as retaliation for EU tariffs placed on Chinese electric vehicles, reports Breaking News.
The Taoiseach’s visit takes place amid increasing tensions between China and Japan.
From Sunday, China will also host South Korean President Lee Jae Myung for a four-day visit, during which he is due to meet President Xi, reports Breaking News.
In November, Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi stated that Japan’s military could become involved if China were to take action against Taiwan, which Beijing regards as its sovereign territory.
Last week, China carried out large-scale military exercises around the island over two days, warning against what it described as separatist and “external interference” forces, reports Breaking News.
Ahead of his visit, Mr Lee said in an interview with China’s state broadcaster CCTV that South Korea consistently upholds the One China policy in relation to Taiwan.
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