The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern received Chinese Vice Premier Huang Ju today for a three-day official visit to Ireland.
They discussed economic and political issues including the development of trade between the two countries.
A government spokesperson said: "The Taoiseach raised the issue of the protection of human rights in China with Vice Premier Huang.
"We will continue to engage constructively with China to address these concerns, both bilaterally and through the framework of the EU-China seminars."
Mr Ju paid a courtesy call on President Mary McAleese and also met jointly with Tanaiste, Mary Harney, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern.
Tomorrow he is due to meet the heads of Irish universities and Education Minister, Mary Hanafin.
He will attend a business lunch hosted by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Enterprise Ireland, during which trade issues will be discussed.
The Taoiseach will visit to China next January at the invitation of Premier Wen Jiabao. It will be his first visit to the country since 1998.
He is understood to be looking forward to seeing the development and progress in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai which have taken place in the intervening period.