BEIJING, Dec. 10 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has held talks with his Irish counterpart Michael D. Higgins in Beijing. The meeting is part of President Higgins's ten-day visit to China.

The two leaders hailed the importance of their countries' relations, and pledged to strengthen trade and economic links, and promote cooperation.

This is Michael D. Higgins first state visit to China. The main purpose of his visit is to promote Chinese investment in Ireland, and he is accompanied by a delegation of leading Irish state companies. They include IDA Ireland, the country's foreign investment agency.

Xi greeted Higgins with a welcoming ceremony and hailed the importance of high-level visits and the deepening mutual trust between China and Ireland.

"I hope the two sides can continue to maintain friendly cooperation. The two countries will take 2014, the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, as a new starting point to build on efforts to cement a strategic partnership for mutually beneficial cooperation," Xi said.

Xi said China has been Ireland's largest trading partner in Asia for seven consecutive years, while Ireland has run a trade surplus for five years. Ireland is an important link to the European market and China hopes it will play a greater role in the European Union in promoting China-EU relations.

Higgins recalled Xi Jinping's visit to Ireland in 2012. And he said the two sides had reached agreements in various fields.

He expected that during this visit, along with Minister for Finance and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, he will explore more opportunities for boosting bilateral business ties.

"We have many MOUs in areas of economy, science and technology and exchanges in culture. And in all of these areas, my hope is that my visit will build a great assistance to deepening what is already a very great friendship," Higgins said.

The two leaders also witnessed the signing of agreements in various sectors, including science and technology, people-to people exchanges, culture and education. ‍

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1979, China and Ireland have had sound bilateral relations. Both sides have been making efforts to strengthen trade and economic links with each other, enhance cooperation in areas such as aviation, transportation and financial services.

The two countries are willing to further deepen their friendship and promote China-Europe relations to a higher level.