Harney to attend ball in Chinese capital

Beijing: People in Beijing are not dying their canals green or wearing all that much shamrock, but the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, …

Beijing: People in Beijing are not dying their canals green or wearing all that much shamrock, but the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, will find plenty of Saint Patrick's Day cheer when she celebrates this year's Irish Ball with the Chinese capital's small and energetic expatriate Irish community.

Ms Harney arrives in Beijing today after an eight-day tour of Hong Kong and Shanghai promoting Irish science and technology.

The Irish community in this city of 14 million is small, estimated at around 150 people. But organisers of Saturday's Saint Patrick's Day Ball, which has become a staple in the social calendar for expatriates from many countries, are keen to put on a good show with the country's profile in China higher than usual because of the EU presidency.

Ireland's bilateral relations with China, the world's most populous country, have been boosted by a series of high-profile visits by Irish leaders, including President Mary McAleese's visit last year.

READ MORE

"It's a big deal this year because of the EU presidency so we're keen to make sure we put on a good show," said Mr Diarmuid O'Brien, of Irish Network China, which organises the ball.

Last night, Ms Harney attended a reception hosted by the Irish Consul General in Shanghai.