Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 254: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will respond to a query (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4082/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has built strong links with China, and last year celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of diplomatic relations. China is a priority country under the Government's Asia Strategy, which was established in 1999 to develop closer economic and political relations with certain countries in the Asian region. Since the Asia Strategy was launched, there has been a significant increase in high-level political contacts, and an intense focus on economic interests and activities, including through a number of very successful trade delegations. In addition to our Embassy in Beijing, a new Consulate General was opened in Shanghai in 2000. Bilateral merchandise trade increased from €714 million in 1998, to €5.5 billion in 2008; while total trade in services in 2007 was €2.2 billion. Over 300 Irish companies now operate in China in a range of sectors, including education; electronics; engineering equipment; health care; financial services; and food and drink products.

My Department allocates special funding to our Embassies and Consulates under the Asia Strategy with a view to raising awareness of Ireland in the region. Activities funded have included awareness-raising visits and presentations within China by our Ambassador and Consul General, which have opened doors for Irish companies and semi state bodies; promotional programmes in sectors such as science and technology, tourism and education; and the Shanghai Internship Programme, which enables Chinese and Irish officials to learn about the political and administrative systems in each other's countries and develop important contacts for the future.

Our strong, friendly and mutually beneficial relations with China are characterised by a high level of inward and outward visits. The Taoiseach led an important trade mission to China in October 2008, while his predecessor led one in 2005. These were the two largest trade missions ever from Ireland. There have been several other significant official visits to China, including four Ministerial visits in the last two years. I myself plan to visit China later this year, and a high-level representative will also visit Expo 2010 in Shanghai, where Ireland will have a substantial pavilion.

Our relations extend beyond trade and there has been a strengthening of our interactions in the important human, sporting and cultural areas. We now have St. Patrick's Day festivals in Beijing and Shanghai, as well as Chinese New Year celebrations in Dublin.

There has also been a blossoming of contacts, exchanges and relationships in education, tourism, agriculture, and in new areas of cooperation such as financial services and the environment. Today, there are over 3,000 Chinese students in higher education in Ireland, and many more in English language schools. Increasingly, Irish students are choosing to study Chinese language and culture, and even to complete part of their studies in China.

As we come to the end of the second phase of the Asia Strategy, we are examining the most effective way to continue developing our relations with China, which has experienced spectacular economic growth and is now the world's third largest economy. I can assure the Deputy that these relations will continue to be a high priority for my Department and our diplomatic and consular missions in China into the future.