Sir, – The kid-glove diplomacy it took to achieve Richard O’Halloran’s release from China is but one of many such cases which point to a country with unimaginable economic power to whom the international community is now completely and utterly beholden in a manner that would make a feudal imperium blush. Witness wrestler and movie star John Cena’s grovelling apology, in Mandarin, for his misdemeanour whereby he named Taiwan as a “country” during a promotional interview, as just one of many such examples.
Time surely for the rest of the world to put its money where its mouth is by extending its manufacturing base to correct this economic imbalance (created by the West in the first place of course) to an extent that a business or a country can at least negotiate with China without the threat of devastating economic or personal consequences. A huge paradigm shift resulting in higher prices no doubt, but consumers buying high-value goods less frequently, such as phones and the like, also chimes with policies to help avert the looming climate crisis. Alas, for many, not least big tech, this all might be too high a price to pay to preserve internationally agreed norms of conduct and check the onward march of such an economic behemoth. – Yours, etc,
JOHN WHITE,
Dublin 7.
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Sir, – It is indeed good news that Richard O’Halloran has finally returned to his family in Ireland. No one should have to endure the situation he found himself in. Maybe it’s time for the State and the European Union to reassess its relationships with countries that engage in hostage diplomacy and fail to abide my established norms. You certainly would have concerns about doing business in China. – Yours, etc,
CONOR HOGARTY,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – Given the widely held view that Richard O’Halloran has been an economic hostage of the Chinese state, I wonder if Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney would like to explain fully to the Irish people precisely what recent cooperation from the Chinese authorities he is acknowledging on our Government website that seemingly led to the release of Mr O’Halloran.
Surely the Irish people should receive a full and thorough account from Mr Coveney of the full extent of the behaviour of the Chinese authorities in relation to this matter from beginning to end before issuing any such a acknowledgment on behalf of the Irish people? – Yours, etc,
KEVIN NOLAN,
Dublin 16.
Sir, – Barry Andrews MEP was "puzzled" that Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney expressed his gratitude to the Chinese authorities on the lifting of restrictions on Richard O'Halloran, thus enabling him to return home from China to Ireland (News, January 29th). Most people would be aware that it is normal in the world of diplomacy to observe basic practices and protocols in the context of delicate negotiations. That there was a successful outcome after three years is largely due no doubt to the Minister, departmental officials and others working tirelessly behind the scenes. – Yours, etc,
PATRICK JUDGE,
Dún Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – It would appear further celebrations in the Department of Foreign Affairs are expected as Ireland’s attendance at the UN Security Council meeting yesterday on Ukraine clearly has brought benefits for Irish fishermen, and one expects also influenced China’s release of Richard O’Halloran. – Yours, etc,
NOEL McDERMOTT,
Dublin 9.