Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao meets Irish Prime Minister
23/10/2008 16:06
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen in
Beijing this morning, who is to attend the seventh Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) to
be held on Oct. 24 to 25
Wen said the year of 2009 marked the 30th
anniversary of the establishment of the Sino-Irish diplomatic relations, which
gave the two nations an opportunity to enhance mutual understanding and trust
through different-level dialogues.
Wen was deeply impressed by the
development zone and IT industry during his visit to Ireland in 2004, when he
was warmly received by the Irish government and people, he said.
Ireland had
great advantage in IT technology, while China had been adjusting its industrial
structure and upgrading its products. The two nations should continue exploring
new fields and ways of cooperation and strengthening personnel exchange, he
said.
Cowen said the Irish government had taken China as the core nation of
its Asian strategy and the Sino-Irish relations had been further strengthened in
recent years with the frequent exchange visits of government leaders.
Ireland
would like to work with China to tap the potentials for further cooperation and
deepen exchanges and cooperation in trade, science and technology, education,
culture, service industry, finance and agriculture, said the Irish Prime
Minister.
Ireland also hoped that the two sides will make good efforts in
holding activities to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the
Sino-Irish diplomatic relations, he said.
Established as a high-level forum
between governments of Asia and Europe, the ASEM this year is expected to focus
on how to respond to the current global financial crisis, rather than the
earlier planned topics like climate change, sustainable development and energy
security.
The Beijing Summit will be the first gathering for leaders of ASEM
members since the body's enlargement to 45 members in 2006.
Xinhua
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