Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he raised concerns about the issue of human rights in China with the Chinese Premier Li Qiang including the country’s treatment of people in the special autonomous regions of Xinjiang, Macau, Tibet and Hong Kong,
He said we need to be frank about these things and China is on the UN Human Rights Council and has international responsibilities.
“Any country, including our own country, should be judged on how it treats minorities.” he said.
He said it was fair to say that China would have a different view of the facts and would dispute a lot of what is said in the media.
But he said it was important to raise the issue and it would stay on the agenda.
Mr Varadkar has said that Ireland wants a “very strong and constructive relationship” with China but added that while both countries would not find agreement on everything, he hoped they would always speak frankly and respectfully.
He met with the Chinese Premier at Farmleigh House in Dublin this afternoon.
Mr Li arrived in Dublin last night where he was greeted by Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan and Ireland’s ambassador in Beijing, Ann Derwin.
The Taoiseach said China’s role was indispensable in finding ways to “overcome the challenges we face – not least on climate change, global insecurity, inequality and conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East and Myanmar”.
Mr Li spoke of the close ties between Ireland and China.
“We are both committed to long-standing friendship and co-operation between our two countries which really is the theme of this relationship and second there’s huge potential in our cooperation,” he said.
This morning, Mr Li received a strong welcome by President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina at Áras an Uachtarain in Phoenix Park.
In a statement Áras an Uachtaráin confirmed that President Higgins also referenced human rights in China in his meeting with Mr Li.
It said he spoke about the forthcoming meetings of the Universal Periodic Review taking place in Geneva which reviews human rights in members of the United Nations.
It said the he referenced the points that are “likely to arise during that process, and gave the background to the Irish position on those matters”.
China’s second-most powerful man told the President that Chinese-Irish relations are a “good example of mutually beneficial co-operation” between two countries.
They also discussed climate change, world poverty, food security and global conflict.
The office of the president said there was agreement between Mr Higgins and Mr Li on the need for science and technology to be shared where they have the greatest benefit for humanity.
Mr Higgins referred to the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ireland and China, and said enabling straightforward dialogue between countries with friendly relations had long-term value.
Mr Li told President Higgins and Mrs Higgins it was a “great pleasure” to make their acquaintance and passed on the greetings of Chinese president Xi Jinping.
The two shook hands and Mr Li asked about Mr Higgins’ visit to his home province of Zhejiang.
Welcoming Mr Li at the state reception room, Mr Higgins said that he remembered his state visit to China and Xi Jinping’s visit to Ireland in 2012 while he was vice-president. Mr Xi became China’s president the following year.
Mr Higgins said his 2014 visit to China gave him the opportunity “to have discussions on many topics and also visiting parts of the People’s Republic of China”.
“I very much welcome you, premier, and all of those travelling with you,” he said.
Mr Li noted that Mr Higgins had previously visited China and said: “You also had an in-depth exchange of views and a frank meeting with President Xi, and reached common understanding on a wide range of issues.
“Over the years our results-oriented co-operation has made steady progress and produced rich fruit. Our relations have set a good example of mutually beneficial co-operation between countries that are different in political systems, cultural divisions and geographic size.”
At Farmleigh House Mr Li was greeted by a Lieutenants Guard of Honour from the 12th Infantry Battalion out of Limerick.
A band from the Irish Defence Forces played as Mr Li inspected the soldiers.
During his visit, it was confirmed that Irish beef exports to China would resume, following a suspension due to the discovery of atypical BSE in a cow last November.
Mr Li’s trip comes after he spoke at the opening ceremony of the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland.
He is the first high-ranking Chinese government official to attend the annual gathering since President Xi in 2017.
The visit comes amid efforts by EU figures and China to develop ties.
Despite the strong Sino-EU trade, with both regions the other’s second biggest trading partner, political tensions remain.
China has angered the EU by taking a neutral stance in what most European countries see as a Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.
Some Western countries have also avoided using, or criticised, technologies linked to the Chinese state over security concerns including TikTok and Hikvision, the latter of which manufactures CCTV cameras used in the Dáil.
There was a heavy garda presence around Phoenix Park, which is closed to the public until 7pm.
Mr Li is due to depart Ireland tomorrow afternoon, when gardaí will operate rolling road closures as he travels to Dublin Airport.
Additional reporting by Sandra Hurley
