Ireland PM Micheál Martin to visit China and meet Xi in first trip in 14 years

Ireland leader to meet Xi in first visit in 14 years

Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheál Martin will visit China starting Sunday and meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the first trip by an Irish leader to China in 14 years, China’s Foreign Ministry announced Saturday.

The Chinese ministry said Martin’s visit is expected to last five days. It said the prime minister will meet with Premier Li Qiang, who had invited him, and Zhao Leji, chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. Beyond Beijing, Martin will travel to Shanghai, the ministry said.

Cooperation pledge amid wider China-EU tensions

Through the visit, China’s Foreign Ministry said, Beijing is ready to work with Ireland to expand cooperation and foster China-EU relations.

The announcement comes as China has been strengthening ties with individual European Union member states, even while tensions remain between Beijing and the EU bloc over tariffs and human rights issues. The report noted that in late 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron and Spanish King Felipe VI each met Xi during separate trips to China.

Dairy tariffs and other trade probes referenced

The report also pointed to China’s tariffs and trade actions. It said that in December, China imposed up to 42.7% of provisional tariffs on dairy products, including milk and cheese, imported from the EU.

It added that China had initiated other probes into European brandy and pork imports as countermeasures for EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

Separate hosting of South Korean president begins Sunday

Beginning Sunday, the ministry said, China will separately host South Korean President Lee Jae Myung for four days. During Lee’s stay, he is expected to meet Xi, their second meeting in just two months, the ministry said.

The report said Lee’s trip is taking place amid rising Sino-Japan tensions. It cited Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s November comments that Japan’s military could get involved if China were to take action against Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its sovereign territory.

Military drills around Taiwan and “One China” remarks

The report said that last week China conducted large-scale military drills around Taiwan for two days to warn against what it called separatist and “external interference” forces.

Ahead of his trip, Lee said South Korea consistently respects the “One China” policy when it comes to Taiwan during an interview with China’s state broadcaster CCTV, according to the report.