Ireland’s trading relationship with China now exceeds €8 billion per annum, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin, T.D. said today as he paid tribute to Mr Luo Linquan, the departing Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China.

Speaking ahead of a lunch to mark Ambassador Luo’s departure, Minister Howlin highlighted his role in supporting the growth in trade and investment between Ireland and China: 

“Ambassador Luo has made a very significant contribution to enhancing our relations with China, in particular helping to organise the visits of then Vice President Xi Jinping to Ireland in February 2012, the return visit of the Taoiseach to China in March 2012, and the visit of the Tánaiste to China in August 2013. He has also been a great support to the Chinese community in Ireland, particularly to students who are coming here in increasing numbers.

“The Government decision to open a Consulate General in Hong Kong will further strengthen Ireland’s footprint in a key region of global growth and opportunity. We are working hard to build relations with Asia, and to maximise trade and investment with a view to creating jobs at home. I am very much looking forward to progressing this important work during my visit to China over the St Patrick’s Day period.

“Investment and agri-food links between our countries have grown strongly during Ambassador Luo’s tenure, with food and drink exports up by over 90% in the past two years. Bord Bia has indicated that China will soon be Ireland’s second biggest market for food and drink exports.

“The China Ireland Growth Technology Fund announced last month has made $100 million of funding commitments.  This fund will target investment in growing Irish companies with strategic ambitions to access the China market and Chinese technology companies wishing to access the European market via Ireland.”

26 February 2014

Note to Editors

•     More information about the expansion of Ireland’s embassy network is available here.