China is to host a major Irish festival in 2003 as part of a cultural exchange agreed between the Minister for Arts, Ms de Valera, and her Chinese counterpart, Mr Sun Jiazheng, in Beijing yesterday.
Under the agreement, Ireland will also host a Chinese festival in 2003. Both ministers are to establish implementation groups so planning can get under way as soon as possible.
Speaking after 2-1/2 hours of talks with Mr Sun during her official visit to China, Ms de Valera said she was delighted. "A cultural link was formally agreed between the two countries in 1985, but while the mechanism has been there we are only now putting it to work," she said.
Ms de Valera and Mr Sun also gave the go-ahead for exchange visits between the directors of art and cultural institutions in both countries to organise exhibition visits.
"Cultural tourism in China is on the increase, and it is also a huge area of growth potential in Ireland," the Minister told The Irish Times. "The planned exhibitions will be an opportunity to showcase Ireland in China. The two countries have a lot in common as we both have ancient cultures."
Ms de Valera visited the Chinese History Museum and last night attended a performance of Beijing Opera at the Liyuan Theatre. Today she will visit the Great Wall and will be a guest at a reception hosted in the Irish Embassy by the Irish Ambassador to China, Mr Declan Connolly.
The Minister's luggage, which went missing in Paris en route to China on Monday, turned up safely yesterday.