Li touches down in Ireland to work with PM on deals

Premier Li Keqiang and his wife Cheng Hong visited Garvey Farm in Shannon with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny and his wife on May 17 local time. [Photo/Xinhua]

Kenny, for his part, noted that Ireland and China have enjoyed a long-running friendly relationship, and bilateral ties have witnessed smooth development particularly since they established a strategic partnership for mutual benefit.

Dublin, he added, pays great attention to China's economic prospect, thinks highly of Beijing's economic reform efforts, and attaches immense importance to developing relations with China.

The Irish side is willing to work with China to maintain high-level contact, beef up cooperation in such areas as trade, agriculture, finance, clean energy and tourism, and expand personnel exchanges, he added.

After their talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of bilateral cooperation deals on travel facilitation measures and agricultural cooperation.

Speaking at a joint press conference, Li said China welcomes high-quality, competitive Irish products into its market and is willing to have Ireland as a partner in three-party cooperation programs.

Premier Li Keqiang and his wife Cheng Hong visited Garvey Farm in Shannon with Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny and his wife on May 17 local time. [Photo/Xinhua]

Upon arrival, Premier Li Keqiang and Cheng Hong visited Irish dairy farm Garvey Farm in Shannon with Kenny and his wife, viewed herds and listened about approaches to crop cultivation, agro-processing and quality control.

The couples talked with owner Cathal Garvey, and Li prepared gifts for the family, including a box of tea produced in Li's native Anhui province."I hope my stop in Ireland will bring even closer ties between the two countries and peoples," Li said after arriving at the Shannon Airport.

Experts said any deals signed during the stop could boost dairy and beef exports to China, where consumers with an increased disposable income seek a more diversified and healthier diet.