The president of the Chambers of Commerce of Ireland (CCI) today signed an historic co-operation agreement between the Irish and Chinese chamber movements.
The agreement was signed by Mr Mark Staunton in the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, in the presence of Chinese Premier Mr Wen Jiabao and the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, who was on the first day of the largest-ever Irish trade mission abroad.
Under the agreement, the CCI and their Chinese counterparts commit to providing mutual support and assistance in promoting trade and investment between Ireland and China.
Mr Staunton said: "China is the seventh largest economy in the world and the third largest importer at $500 billion every year."
He said: "Its continued development as a wealthy consumer society offers great opportunities as a new market for Irish produced goods and services."
"It is vitally important that we build links for the mutual benefit of Ireland and China," he added.