The Prime Minister of Ireland visits China for the first time in 14 years

The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced yesterday that Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin will visit China starting today, where he will meet President Xi Jinping, in the first visit by an Irish Prime Minister to the country in 14 years. Beijing seeks to strengthen relations with European Union member states, despite tensions with the bloc over customs duties and human rights issues. In late 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron and Spain’s King Felipe VI met with Jinping on separate trips to China.