Beijing, March 16th—Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee met here today on the morning with Simon Coveney, Deputy Leader of the Fine Gael, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland.

Both sides spoke positively of China-Ireland strategic partnership for mutually beneficial cooperation. Song expressed that in recent years, China and Ireland have conducted close high-level exchanges, enjoyed a strong momentum of economic and trade cooperation, deeply developed people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and maintained frequent communication on international and regional affairs. China is willing to, together with Ireland, jointly promote cooperation in various fields for greater development. The CPC attaches importance to enhancing communication, learning from each other’s ruling experience and playing a political leading role in party-to-party exchanges for China-Ireland relations with the Fine Gael. Song introduced several major events such as the amendment to the Constitution by the National People’s Congress and reform of national institutions.

Coveney congratulated China on the successful convening of the “Two Sessions”, and expressed the willingness to further deepen communication and cooperation in such areas as politics, economy and trade, people-to-people and cultural exchanges between both countries, and enhance communication and coordination in international and regional affairs. Ireland supports the construction of the “Belt and Road”, and encourages enterprises of the two countries to actively participate in cooperation under this framework. The Fine Gael stands ready to enhance communication and cooperation between the two parties, promote mutual understanding and trust, and learn from China’s development mode.

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