A SENIOR CHINESE OFFICIAL began his two-day state visit to Ireland yesterday, and is due to discuss economic issues and bilateral ties with Brian Cowen today.

Li Changchun, a senior Communist Party official, said upon arrival in Dublin yesterday that a friendly bilateral relationship between the two countries is in the interest of each, according to China’s People’s Daily Online.

Chinese state media site Xinhua reported yesterday that Li hopes to “learn from the host country’s experiences in promoting the economy and explore new fields and new ways to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation for the common good of both nations.”

In its background piece to the Irish visit, Xinhua reports that Ireland shifted from its traditional agricultural economy to a “knowledge-based economy, renowned for its high-tech industries such as computer software and bioengineering”.

On Friday, Li met with Montenegrin officials, according to state-run media site Xinhua, and spoke of developing bilateral ties and cooperation with Montenegro. Last week, Li also met with Estonian officials. He is due to travel to Iran before returning to China.

Last week, Reuters reported that the chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee voiced concern over ties between Iran and China, saying that China’s energy deals with Iran were undermining international sanctions aimed at discouraging Iran’s nuclear development programme.