The Naval Service vessel the LE Niamh arrived in Hong Kong yesterday for the second leg of the biggest Irish overseas trade promotion.
The ship - which was greeted by the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith - arrived in China's Special Administrative Region on time for a hectic round of St Patrick's weekend events.
The vessel is on a tour of the Far East as part of an Asia Strategy promotion of Ireland in the region.
A large crowd of people turned out to see the ship come into port yesterday morning, with huge local interest in the visit.
Mr Michael Garvey, the newly appointed Asia-Pacific chief for Enterprise Ireland, the body steering the Asia Strategy, said 70 Irish companies working in the region will be involved in promotions on board the LE Niamh during her Asia voyage.
Some 2,000 Asia business representatives have been targeted during the three-month mission.
The LE Niamh left for Asia from Cobh on February 10th with a crew of 44 and six cadets. It is under the command of Liet-Cmdr Gerry O'Flynn.
A Special St Patrick's Day Mass will be held on board the ship on Sunday and there will be a ceremony for the blessing of the shamrock.
Enterprise Ireland is hosting various functions on board in the next week, with a major reception that will be attended by Irish and Asian business interests on Monday night.
Mr Smith yesterday had a meeting with Hong Kong chief executive Mr Tung Chee Wah, and last night attended a dinner on board the naval vessel attended by Enterprise Ireland executives, the Irish Ambassador to China, Mr Declan Connolly, and local dignitaries.
The LE Niamh made her first Asia stop-over in Singapore last weekend, where various trade receptions were held on board. The boat leaves next week for Shanghai, and will continue to South Korea, Japan and Malaysia.
Irish navy commander Mark Mellett who is in Hong Kong said the ship represented a piece of Ireland in Asia and showed the unique role the navy can play in helping promote Ireland.