ieExplains: Who is Li Qiang and why is he in Ireland?
Premier Picture: Qiang Higgins Li Receives President Maxwells
The President and Taoiseach have held meetings with China's second most-powerful official on Wednesday.
Li Qiang landed at Dublin Airport on Tuesday evening in the largest passenger plane the airport has ever welcomed in its 84-year history.
There are hopes discussions between Leo Varadkar and Mr Li will be positive before his departure.
Here is all you need to know about the premier's visit.
Li Qiang is the premier of the People's Republic of China — its head of government.
The role is the second highest-ranking in the Chinese political system (after the general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, currently held by President Xi Jinping) and Mr Li is in the second of a five-year term, having been elected to the role in March 2023.
It’s here! A very special moment as Air China flight CCA001 arrives at Dublin Airport - the largest passenger aircraft to land here in our 84 year history. We’re delighted to facilitate the arrival of Premier Li Qiang to Ireland. ✈️ pic.twitter.com/d500hBAR3n
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) January 16, 2024
Mr Li is meeting with the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and President Michael D Higgins during his time here.
He arrived at Dublin Airport on Tuesday evening for a two-day visit.
He was greeted by Transport Minister Eamon Ryan upon his arrival.
The trip by Mr Li is the first high-level visit by a Chinese government official since 2015.
He will hold a bilateral meeting with Mr Varadkar where the pair will discuss the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Mr Li’s trip comes after he spoke at the opening ceremony of the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland.
It is believed that in a meeting at Farmleigh house on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Varadkar and Mr Li will discuss global issues, bilateral issues and EU-China relations.
There may also be discussions around the suspension of beef exports from Ireland to China in November.
A case of atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease) was discovered by Irish veterinary officials in a cow — with Chinese protocol requiring exports to be suspended pending submission and assessment of the epidemiological report.
The decision on lifting the suspension falls on Chinese officials.
The Phoenix Park will be closed to all access, traffic and pedestrians, from 7pm on Tuesday to 7pm on Wednesday, after Mr Li departs Ireland.
Arrangements will be in place for access for residents, staff and stakeholders to travel through the park.
In general, the public, in the areas affected, are advised to plan their day, leave extra time for their journeys and to expect some localised delays.
Mr Xi serves as the president alongside his role of the general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party.
In a situation not too dissimilar to our own, the Chinese president can engage in state affairs and receive foreign diplomatic envoys on behalf of China.
However, if Mr Xi wants to get involved in other state actions, he would need to get permission from the National People's Congress (NPC) — the Chinese government.
Mr Li does not need approval from the NPC to make governmental decisions.
While Mr Xi's role as president may seem insignificant in comparison, he also serves as the general secretary of the CCP — controlling every government department, military force, court and parliamentary meeting.