I. Political Relations

The bilateral relations between China and Ireland have developed smoothly ever since the two countries signed the Communique on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations on 22 June 1979 and exchanged ambassadors in 1980. This can be best reflected by frequent exchanges of high-level visit. Main visits to Ireland by the Chinese side include those by Minister of Health Cui Yueli in May 1983, Minister of Culture Zhu Muzhi in May 1985, Minister of Agriculture He Kang in July 1985, Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Zheng Tuobin in May 1986, State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wu Xueqian in May 1986, Minister of Civil Affairs Doji Cering in October 1994, Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Wu Yi in April 1995, Vice Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs Qian Qichen in October 1995 , Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee Tian Jiyun in March 1996, Vice Premier Li Lanqing in April 2000, Premier Zhu Rongji in September 2001, and Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee Ye Xuanping in October 2002, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in March 2004, Premier Wen Jiaobao in May 2004.

Main visits to China by the Irish side include those by Minister for Foreign Affairs Gerald Collins in October 1982, Minister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism Frank Cluskey in May 1983, Minister for Health and Social Welfare Barry Desmond in September 1983, President Patrick J. Hillery in May 1988, Minister for Tourism and Trade Charlie McCreevy in April 1993, Attorney General Harry Whelehan in March 1994, Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dick Spring in September 1994, Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources Michael Woods in November1997, Minister for Foreign Affairs David Andrews in February 1998, Ahern Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs Dermot Ahern in June 1998, Speaker Seamus Pattison in July 1998,Taoiseach Bertie September 1998, Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment Mary Harney in September 2000, Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands Ms. Sile de Valera in January 2001, and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform Michael McDowell in March 2003, President Mary McAleese in October 2003.
The first meeting between Chinese and Irish heads of governments after the establishment of diplomatic relations took place in November 1996 when Premier Li Peng met with Taoiseach John Bruton at the World Food Summit (Rome, 1996) and the second meeting as such was between Premier Zhu Rongji and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at London's Asia-Europe Summit Meeting in April 1998. During his visit to China in September 1998, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern met with President Jiang Zemin and Premier Zhu Rongji. Premier Zhu Rongji and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern met again during Asia-Europe Summit Meeting at Seoul in October 2000.