TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has said Ireland and China should work towards “open trade” as he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on a diplomatic visit to Beijing, the first by a Taoiseach to the country in more than a decade.

He is due to meet with Chinese politicians to discuss relations between China and Ireland – and the EU – and trade. 

During talks with the country’s president in Beijing, Martin said: “We believe in open trade, in open relationships and in particular in terms of our trading relationship, we believe it’s fundamental that we try and work towards open trade.”

He said that countries “all to one degree or another depend on each other, and I think if we can maintain that spirit into the future, our relationship will continue to grow and will continue to strengthen”.

Xi called for “long-term, stable development” of ties between China and Ireland and said that China hopes to strengthen strategic communication with Ireland and deepen political mutual trust.

After their meeting, the Taoiseach described it as a “warm and constructive meeting”.

“We share a strong commitment to enhancing the Ireland-China relationship into the future,” he said in a post on social media. 

A distinct privilege to visit the Forbidden City in Beijing. It offers a unique window into centuries of Chinese history and culture. pic.twitter.com/xWvfSM8HbH

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) January 5, 2026

Before leaving Beijing, Martin is also due to meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Chairman of the National People’s Congress Zhao Leji.

The next stop on his visit will be to Shanghai, where he is expected to meet with Mayor Gong Zheng.

During the trip, he is also due to meet with Irish and Chinese business leaders and investors, including in financial services, further and higher education, food and beverages, and tourism.

Ahead of the visit, the Taoiseach said that he wanted to deepen the “political, cultural, and economic connections” between Ireland and China. 

He said that in addition to discussing relations between the two countries, he would also speak with Chinese politicians about “pressing global challenges”, including peace and security and the trading environment.

He said he would emphasise the importance of a strong EU-China relationship.

The visit comes ahead of Ireland holding the rotating presidency of the EU for six months later this year.

China is Ireland’s largest trading partner in Asia and fifth largest globally.

Total trade in goods and services between Ireland and China (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) was €36 billion in 2023.

China is Ireland’s sixth largest goods export market and eight largest services export market.

Additional reporting by AFP