Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji and his Irish counterpart Bertie Ahern in their talks on September 14 agreed that the first visit ever made by an Irish prime minister to China since the forging of their diplomatic ties in 1979 will surely push Sino-Irish friendship and cooperation further ahead.
Both sides held a wide-ranging exchange of views regarding Sino-Irish relations, as well as other international and regional issues of common concern.
Over the past 19 years the two countries have made positive progress in exchanges and cooperation in the fields of politics, economics, culture and education, public hygiene and legislation, Zhu said.
When it comes to Sino-Irish economic and trade ties, Zhu underlined that China holds a positive attitude toward further developing the relations.
Zhu extended a welcome to the Irish entrepreneurs accompanying Prime Minister Ahern on his visit, saying that exchanges between Chinese and Irish entrepreneurs will promote mutual understanding and tap new approaches and new fields for cooperation.
Ahern noted that four Irish cabinet ministers have visited China since the new Irish government assumed office, which he said had laid a sound basis for his current visit.
He will strive to enhance Ireland-China ties and continue efforts to expand exchanges and cooperation between the two governments and two peoples, he said.
The Prime Minister said that he would continue to encourage Irish business people to strengthen economic and trade contacts with China and be far-sighted in a bid to make bilateral economic and trade ties score even greater progress.
During the talks, Ahern briefed Zhu on the peace process in Northern Ireland.
Zhu said China is glad to see a peace deal has been reached among the Irish and British governments and the relevant parties in Northern Ireland. China will positively support this peace process, Zhu said.
After the talks, the two premiers attended an agreement-signing ceremony between the two governments on civil air transport.
Photo: Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji hosts a welcome ceremony in honor of Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.