Comrades from the National Executive Committee of the CPI were invited by the Chinese Embassy in Ireland to attend a Reception for the new Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, followed by a New Year Gala at The Helix in Dublin City University on Monday 17th February.
The Reception and Gala followed Ambassador Zhao Xiyuan presentation of his credentials to President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin. Following the ceremony, Comrade Zhau inspected the Defence Forces Guard of Honour.
The evening reception for Ambassador Zhao Xiyuan and Madame Li Yi showcased a stunning variety of musicians, dancers, singers and performers who had travelled from the PRC to welcome the arrival of Spring and the Chinese New Year of the Snake in Ireland. It took place on the same day that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was in Dublin to meet his Irish counterpart Simon Harris and Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
Both the Gala and Reception for the new Ambassador come off the back of a frenzied weekend of diplomacy at the Munich Security Conference where Comrade Wang met top diplomats from the United States, the European Union and Germany. The visit to Ireland of senior officials from the Communist Party of China comes at a volatile point in international politics and when there are sinister forces attempting to realign Irish foreign policy and undermine our cherished neutrality.
In over a decade as Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic and in more than 70 trips to Europe – including Russia and the Caucuses, Comrade Wang has never previously been to Ireland. His trip follows Premier Li Qiang’s visit to Dublin in January 2024. At that point, Ireland was the only EU stop for China’s No 2 official on a trip that also took in a speaking slot at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
In terms of trade with the People’s Republic of China, Ireland punches way above its weight. It is one of the only European countries to have a trade surplus with China – almost US$13 billion last year, according to calculations based on Chinese customs statistics.
The delegates from the Communist Party of Ireland extend our solidarity and best wishes to both Ambassador Zhao Xiyuan and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in this increasingly fraught geopolitical era. We also extend our solidarity to our comrades in the Communist Party of China and wish them every success in their efforts to build a peaceful, prosperous and socialist China for the C21st.
