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| China and Ireland talk up trade on visit by Xi Jinping | China and Ireland talk up trade on visit by Xi Jinping |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| The man tipped to become China's future leader, Vice-President Xi Jinping, is making a three-day visit to the Irish Republic with the focus on trade. | The man tipped to become China's future leader, Vice-President Xi Jinping, is making a three-day visit to the Irish Republic with the focus on trade. |
| On his only stop in an EU state after visiting the US, Mr Xi arrived with a delegation of 150 business leaders and government officials. | On his only stop in an EU state after visiting the US, Mr Xi arrived with a delegation of 150 business leaders and government officials. |
| New pacts to promote trade, investment and education were signed. | New pacts to promote trade, investment and education were signed. |
| While China dwarfs the Republic, both are big exporters and Ireland is keen to promote its tourist industry. | While China dwarfs the Republic, both are big exporters and Ireland is keen to promote its tourist industry. |
| Mr Xi arrived on Saturday after a five-day visit to the US, and is due to leave again on Monday, heading for Turkey. | Mr Xi arrived on Saturday after a five-day visit to the US, and is due to leave again on Monday, heading for Turkey. |
| Campaigners have called on Irish leaders to raise China's human rights record during talks with the vice-president. | Campaigners have called on Irish leaders to raise China's human rights record during talks with the vice-president. |
| 'Much to offer' | 'Much to offer' |
| Mr Xi and the Taoiseach (Irish prime minister), Enda Kenny, witnessed the signing of agreements at Dublin Castle between government departments, state agencies, universities and companies. | Mr Xi and the Taoiseach (Irish prime minister), Enda Kenny, witnessed the signing of agreements at Dublin Castle between government departments, state agencies, universities and companies. |
| "Ireland and China have much to offer each other in food and agriculture, in high technology research and in investment," said Mr Kenny. | "Ireland and China have much to offer each other in food and agriculture, in high technology research and in investment," said Mr Kenny. |
| Bilateral trade between the two countries was worth about 4.2bn euros (£3.5bn; $5.5bn) in 2010. | Bilateral trade between the two countries was worth about 4.2bn euros (£3.5bn; $5.5bn) in 2010. |
| Although China accounts for just 2.5% of Irish merchandise exports and 1.9% of services, it is being targeted as a key growth area, Reuters news agency notes. | Although China accounts for just 2.5% of Irish merchandise exports and 1.9% of services, it is being targeted as a key growth area, Reuters news agency notes. |
| After flying into Shannon Airport in the west of the Republic on Saturday evening, Mr Xi visited the offices of Shannon Development business park and attended a traditional banquet at Bunratty Castle. | After flying into Shannon Airport in the west of the Republic on Saturday evening, Mr Xi visited the offices of Shannon Development business park and attended a traditional banquet at Bunratty Castle. |
| On Sunday, he was given a 40-minute tour of a family-run dairy farm at Sixmilebridge, Co Clare, before visiting the Cliffs of Moher. | On Sunday, he was given a 40-minute tour of a family-run dairy farm at Sixmilebridge, Co Clare, before visiting the Cliffs of Moher. |
| He then travelled to Dublin for a demonstration at Croke Park of Irish field sports - hurling and Gaelic football. | |
| The Chinese vice-president swung a hurling stick and kicked a football for the cameras. | The Chinese vice-president swung a hurling stick and kicked a football for the cameras. |
| "He showed some admirable skills for his first time kicking on what is... a very holy turf for us," said Alan Milton, a spokesman at the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). | "He showed some admirable skills for his first time kicking on what is... a very holy turf for us," said Alan Milton, a spokesman at the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). |
| Mr Xi was also due to see a special performance of the hit show Riverdance. | Mr Xi was also due to see a special performance of the hit show Riverdance. |
| 'Exemplary' relations | 'Exemplary' relations |
| Dr Vincent Cunnane, Shannon Development's chief executive, said the trip would enhance good relations between Irish and Chinese businesses. | Dr Vincent Cunnane, Shannon Development's chief executive, said the trip would enhance good relations between Irish and Chinese businesses. |
| "China has a population of over 1.3 billion which represents 20% of the world's population," he said. | "China has a population of over 1.3 billion which represents 20% of the world's population," he said. |
| "The fact that the Chinese vice-president is spending almost three days in Ireland is a major boost for the country." | "The fact that the Chinese vice-president is spending almost three days in Ireland is a major boost for the country." |
| Mr Xi's visit is being closely followed by Chinese state media. | Mr Xi's visit is being closely followed by Chinese state media. |
| China's Ambassador to Ireland, Luo Linquan, described the two countries' ties as "an exemplar of how friendly co-existence can be maintained between two countries of different sizes and systems". | China's Ambassador to Ireland, Luo Linquan, described the two countries' ties as "an exemplar of how friendly co-existence can be maintained between two countries of different sizes and systems". |
| Answering written questions from the Irish Times, Mr Xi himself said Chinese people admired Irish people's "enterprising spirit and enormous contribution to development around the world". | Answering written questions from the Irish Times, Mr Xi himself said Chinese people admired Irish people's "enterprising spirit and enormous contribution to development around the world". |
| But Noeleen Hartigan, programmes director of Amnesty International Ireland, said it was crucial the Irish government made clear the concerns of many Irish people about human rights abuses in China. | But Noeleen Hartigan, programmes director of Amnesty International Ireland, said it was crucial the Irish government made clear the concerns of many Irish people about human rights abuses in China. |
| "Even in the midst of a recession we cannot let trade opportunities blind us to our responsibility to support courageous Chinese human rights activists risking their freedom and their lives every single day," she said. | "Even in the midst of a recession we cannot let trade opportunities blind us to our responsibility to support courageous Chinese human rights activists risking their freedom and their lives every single day," she said. |