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16h ago

Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin to Visit China in First Taoiseach Trip Since 2012

Beijing casts the visit as a bid to deepen cooperation with Ireland to bolster China–EU ties.

Ireland Prime Minister Micheal Martin arrives at a European Union leaders' summit in Brussels, Belgium, December 18, 2025. REUTERS/Yves Herman
FILE - Micheal Martin, Tanaiste of Ireland and leader of Fianna Fail speaks to the media during a visit to St Seton's Secondary School in Ballyfermot, Dublin, Ireland, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison, File)
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Overview

  • China’s foreign ministry said Martin will travel from Sunday through Thursday on an official visit.
  • He is set to meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing before continuing to Shanghai.
  • The trip follows an invitation from Premier Li, with Beijing citing goals of building political trust and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation.
  • The visit marks the first by an Irish taoiseach since 2012 as China engages EU members despite trade strains, including recent tariffs on EU dairy.
  • The timing overlaps with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s trip for talks with Xi that are expected to cover artificial intelligence and advanced technology.