Beijing, March 16th--Guo Yezhou, Vice-minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met here today with Ann Derwin, newly-appointed Irish Ambassador to China.

Guo briefed on the 14th Five-Year Plan and China's NPC and CPPCC Sessions, stressing that China's development will bring opportunities to Ireland and other countries in the world. He said that the CPC is willing to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning with Ireland's major political parties, promote bilateral pragmatic cooperation in all fields and push forward China-Ireland relations.

Speaking highly of China's economic and social achievements and the opportunities brought about by the 14th Five-Year Plan for Ireland-China cooperation, Ann Derwin expressed the willingness to actively promote party-to-party exchanges, deepen economic and trade cooperation, cement people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and strengthen communication and coordination in international affairs to make contributions to Ireland-China relations.

Enditem