Xi Jinping, the man expected to be appointed leader of China later this year, has arrived in Shannon to begin a three-day visit to Ireland.
Mr Xi's delegation, which inclues about 150 Chinese businessmen, landed at 4.15pm and he disembarked at 4.30pm to be greeted by Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore.
Mr Gilmore said it was his great pleasure to welcome Mr Xi back to Ireland.
"We look forward to a most successful visit over the next couple of days.
"Shannon airport, on the western shore of our island, is a fitting starting point for your visit, a doorway to east and to west that has generated strong relationships with China over the years," Mr Gilmore said.
Mr Xi struck a bullish note on the prospects for economic recovery in the euro area, saying he thought the difficulties in Europe were “temporary”.
"China does not think one should 'talk down' or 'short' to Europe, because we believe that the difficulties facing Europe are temporary, and the EU and the governments and people across Europe have the ability, the wisdom, and the means, to solve the sovereign debt problem and achieve economic recovery and growth," Mr Xi said in an exclusive interview with The Irish Times at the start of a three-day trip to Ireland.
Mr Xi, who begins his visit this afternoon in Shannon, said China would support Europe, including Ireland, in its efforts to overcome the economic downturn.
“China takes its relationship with Europe as one of the strategic priorities of its diplomacy, and supports the process of European integration and the efforts of EU members, Ireland included, to overcome difficulties and achieve economic recovery,” Mr Xi said.
“We have offered sincere help to our European friends as our ability permits in line with our means, through increased mutual investment and business co-operation.”
Europe is China’s biggest export market. Beijing has been concerned by the situation in Europe and has repeatedly urged EU leaders to get a grip on the situation.
Turning to his own country, where economic growth is slowing to single-digit figures and is expected to expand 8.5 per cent this year, Mr Xi he said he expected a soft landing for the Chinese economy.
There has been speculation that China could slow down fast and hard, but he rejected these concerns.
Mr Xi said he believed his visit would help intensify the mutual benefits of co-operation between China and Ireland. He said the focus of the co-operation would be at a high level and on certain sectors, such as biotechnology, agriculture and communication technology.
He also said there should be more intensive cultural and people-to- people exchanges, especially as Ireland hosts the most Chinese students per capita in the EU.
This evening, Mr Xi will visit Shannon Development and he will later attend a traditional banquet at Bunratty Castle.
Tomorrow, Mr Xi will visit a family farm at Sixmilebridge in Co Clare. Mr Gilmore said this would allow him to see "the strength and excellence of our agricultural sector".
"You will also visit the Cliffs of Moher to enjoy the beauty and heritage of our landscape."
Mr Xi will visit Dublin tomorrow, where he will meet President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Enda Kenny and other political leaders.
He will visit Croke Park and later will attend a performance of Riverdance.
Business links between China and Ireland will be explored at the Trade and Investment Forum in the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham on Monday.
Mr Gilmore told the Chinese leader that Ireland attached "great importance to widening and deepening our bilateral relations". He hoped the visit would be the starting point of an enhanced relationship between the two countries.