STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP:TAOISEACH ENDA Kenny met China's top parliamentarian Wu Bangguo in the Great Hall of the People to discuss the terms of a joint strategic partnership for co-operation on a range of issues.
“We appreciate your positive attitude,” said Mr Wu, chairman of the National People’s Congress.
Speaking in front of a painting of Wuyi mountains in Fujian province, Mr Wu said the trade mission, led by the Taoiseach and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton, was “an important event in the history of friendly relations”.
Journalists were asked to leave at this point, but it is understood from those at the meeting the various points in the statement were processed in considerable detail.
This included the terms of memorandums of understanding, including the one between the National Treasury Management Agency and a subsidiary of China’s sovereign wealth fund, and yesterday’s memorandum between the IDA and the world’s biggest bank, ICBC. Such communiqués are very common and significant in China’s political and administrative model.
“I will ensure that there is comprehensive cross-government follow-up in respect of the various elements of this agreement and the many important sectoral memorandums of understanding which were concluded during this week’s visit,” the Taoiseach said.
After signing the statement, Mr Kenny attended a gathering for the delegation in the Irish Embassy in Beijing.
“This is a start of a new journey. I see the strategic partnership as bringing our relationship to a new level entirely.
“We will not slacken off in our duty, and this strategic partnership is a serious duty. The future is exceptionally bright. The doors are as big as the doors on the Great Hall ,” he said.
One of the tasks he would take on would be to try to increase understanding of China when Ireland assumes the EU presidency in January.
