Chinese Premier Li Qiang held talks with Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin in Beijing on Tuesday, with both sides pledging to strengthen bilateral ties and expand cooperation.

Li said the China-Ireland strategic partnership has made steady progress, and China is willing to enhance political mutual trust, respect each other’s core interests, and deepen high-quality practical cooperation to achieve greater mutual benefit.

Noting strong economic complementarity between the two countries, Li called for closer alignment of development strategies and expanded cooperation in services trade, including aircraft leasing, insurance and healthcare, as well as in green energy, the digital economy and artificial intelligence. China will also facilitate personnel exchanges and people-to-people cooperation.

Amid global economic and trade challenges, Li said China is ready to strengthen multilateral cooperation with Ireland, uphold multilateralism and free trade, and promote a more just international order. He expressed hope that Ireland will actively support China-EU cooperation during its upcoming EU presidency.

Martin said Ireland values its strategic partnership with China and is willing to deepen cooperation in economy, trade, the green economy and people-to-people exchanges. He welcomed Chinese companies to invest in Ireland and pledged to enhance coordination with China to oppose unilateralism and protectionism, and promote global peace and stability.