THE Ceann Comhairle, Mr Sean Tracey, yesterday held discussions in Beijing on Sino Irish relations with Mr Qiao Shi, the chairman of the Chinese National People's Congress.
At the meeting, which took place at the 96th Inter Parliamentary Conference, Mr Qiao noted that bilateral ties between China and Ireland had witnessed "restoration and development".
The week long conference, dedicated to human rights for women and children, and the right of people throughout the world to food, is being attended by eight members of the Oireachtas.
During a committee discussion on human rights at the conference yesterday, Senator Mary Henry urged the Chinese government to return the seven year old Panchen Lama, whom she said was believed to be detained in Beijing, "to his homeland and culture". The Tibetan boy, Gyaltsen Norbu, who the Chinese authorities recognise as the official reincarnation of the 10th Panchen Lama, has not been seen since last December. Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, claims another seven year old, Gedhun Chockyi Nyima, is the legitimate reincarnation.