Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin will begin a five-day official visit to the Chinese mainland on January 4, 2026, at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang. The visit marks the first high-level diplomatic engagement between the two nations this year, with discussions expected to focus on economic collaboration and multilateral coordination.
Chinese Foreign Ministry officials confirmed the itinerary will include meetings in Beijing and Shanghai, addressing priorities in technology innovation, agricultural trade, and educational exchanges. Ireland's status as a European tech hub and China's advancements in green energy solutions are anticipated to form key discussion points.
This visit follows recent progress in cross-border e-commerce initiatives between both countries, with bilateral trade reaching €45 billion in 2025. Observers note the timing coincides with preparations for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Ireland in 2029.
