Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett will meet President Xi Jinping during a week-long visit to China which included visits to Irish companies operating in the country and meeting Chinese students interested in studying in Ireland.
Mr Xi made Ireland the only EU country he visited last year ahead of his appointment as supreme leader of the world’s second largest economy.
“That we have been received by the Chinese leadership, including President Xi Jinping, is testament to the high level of esteem China has for Ireland, a sentiment I know is mutual,” said Mr Barrett.
The visit was hosted by Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the National People’s Congress, and during his visit Mr Barrett met Yu Zhengsheng, the chairman of the China People’s Consultative Committee.
Among the Irish companies that Mr Barrett visited was China HR, Denis O’Brien’s recruitment firm which has recently become one of the biggest in China.
