Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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455. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if “he is satisfied with the status of the Chinese embassy” given recent allegations of illegal policing at Chinese embassy offices at locations across Europe; his views on the content of the recent paper published by the European Union Foreign Service Office regarding EU member states and their engagement with China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55028/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Foreign Affairs raised the presence of a 'Fuzhou Police Overseas Service Station' with the Embassy of China in Ireland in recent weeks. My officials have also consulted with other relevant stakeholders in Government.

Neither the Chinese authorities nor Fuzhou/Fujian Province made a request in advance to the Department of Foreign Affairs to establish the office referred to. The Department noted that actions of all foreign states on Irish territory must be in compliance with international law and domestic law requirements. On this basis, the Department informed the Embassy that the office on Capel Street should close and cease operations. The Chinese Embassy has now stated that the activities of the office have ceased.

The Department of Foreign Affairs will continue to liaise with the Embassy to facilitate the provision of all relevant consular and citizen services to Chinese citizens in Ireland.

I welcomed the opportunity to discuss EU-China relations with my colleagues at the Foreign Affairs Council on 17 October. In our discussions, we reaffirmed the EU's multifaceted approach to China as an effective basis for taking forward the relationship. We recognised that China remains an important partner, particularly on key global issues such as climate change and food security. We also agreed to continue work to enhance the EU's resilience in the face of challenges in the EU's relationship with China. I also welcome the discussion on this matter at the European Council on 21 October.