Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I proposes to take Questions Nos. 9 to 15, inclusive, together.

I welcomed Premier Li Qiang to Ireland on 17 January for a working visit which marked 45 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and China. In addition to our bilateral meeting, there was a working lunch that included several Chinese ministers, the Governor of the Central Bank of China, the Tánaiste and the Ministers, Deputies Ryan, Foley, McConalogue and Coveney.

I had a productive meeting with Premier Li and his delegation. We agreed there is more we can do economically, including boosting trade. Importantly, the Premier confirmed that the pause on beef exports to China had been lifted. This was very welcome news for farmers and food producers around the country. It is testament to the very hard work that they do in ensuring that Irish food is of the highest quality.

Premier Li confirmed China’s decision to extend a visa exemption to Irish passport holders wishing to travel to China for 15 days or less. This is very good news for tourists, business people and those visiting friends or relatives, who no longer need to apply for a visa to go to China provided they are only there for 15 days or less.

We discussed global issues, including the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. I was very clear that our relationship must be based on values and mutual interests. I expressed our strong commitment to a rules-based international order, based on the UN Charter and respect for fundamental rights.

As we do in all our engagements with the Chinese Government, I raised human rights with Premier Li, including our concerns around the human rights situation in Xinjiang and in Hong Kong, and in the other special autonomous regions. I also mentioned the specific case of Jimmy Lai. I welcomed the resumption of the EU-China human rights dialogue to discuss these and other issues, including Tibet and the situation regarding human rights defenders.

Overall, it was a very good and useful meeting, underlining the need for us to engage with China as a very important actor in the world if we are to deal effectively with the global challenges we all face.

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