Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries -

On June 24th, 2019, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Embassy of Ireland in China jointly held a reception in Beijing to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Ireland. Mr Zhang Chunxian, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Mr Eoin O’Leary, Irish Ambassador to China, Mr Wang Chao, Vice Foreign Minister, Mr Song Jingwu, Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, representatives from the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education and other organizations, Irish diplomats in China, and representatives from all walks of life attended the reception. Vice President Song Jingwu and Ambassador Eoin O’Leary delivered speeches.

Vice President Song Jingwu said in his speech that in past 40 years, the two sides have always trusted, respected and helped each other, and China-Ireland relations have become a model of friendship between countries regardless of their differences in social systems, historical backgrounds and geographic sizes. We would like to join hands and work together with Ireland, to deepen our friendship and cooperation, develop our Strategic Partnership for Mutually Beneficial Cooperation, and make concerted efforts to build a world of lasting peace, stability, security and common prosperity.

Ambassador Eoin O’Leary reviewed the development of Ireland-China relations in the past 40 years and said that friendship between the two countries will continue to deepen and the exchanges between the two countries will be closer.

At the reception, Vice Chairman Zhang Chunxian and Ambassador Eoin O’Leary jointly unveiled the commemorative envelop for the 40th anniversary. Vice Minister Wang Chao and Ambassador Eoin O’Leary exchanged celebratory gifts. Artists from China and Ireland presented guests with harps, Konghou and Irish traditional folk music performances.

Photographed by Ren Xin