We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
THE SECOND DAY of an official visit by China’s Vice President Xi Jinping will focus on agriculture and tourism – with visits to a dairy farm and the Cliffs of Moher.
Xi, who has a background in agriculture, will visit Lynch’s farm in Sixmilebridge in Co Clare this morning in order to see some of the advanced technologies being used there, RTÉ reports.
In the afternoon, the delegation will visit the Cliffs of Moher to assess the appeal of Irish scenery to Chinese tourists. Xi will then travel to Croke Park to see an exhibition of hurling and Gaelic football.
This evening, the Vice President will meet the Taoiseach for dinner at Dublin Castle before finishing off the night with a Riverdance show.
Xi will tomorrow sign an international trade contract aimed at enhancing relations between Ireland and China, the Sunday Business Post reports.
Ireland is the only country in Europe being visited by the Chinese delegation.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
This visit can only benefit Ireland, positive news for once
Invite Michael Martin over and he can entertain them with chinese impressions whilst between visits.
This trip could be more lucrative than the queen and obamas visit put together
too right – we got this for keeping it together as a society. This was an agreed gesture by the EU. This is important.
the entire western financial system is under severe stress – one way or another we are after taking a massive bullet for the portion in our banking system. this is intended to show that there is a payoff for swallowing the stuff we’ve had to swallow.
the american hedge funds are beginning to buy our debt again, on a large scale. We could get out of this yet. This need not be a lost generation.
Cool, love news like this. First the US creating more jobs and investment here, now hopefully China too. Moaners want to say anything?
What do you call a “positive” person having a moan about moaners? That’s right – a moaner!!!
Has anyone of the ministers ask him the question about human rights yet…dont think it will ever happen…they talk the talk..thats all about it…
I agree on the human rights issues, but will they really bother listening to little old Ireland?
I totally agree with you,they dare not ask.Taking a moral stand and being the bearer of robust principles,is quite frankly, one of those rare qualities seldom ever found in a politician.
I went to a lovely Chinese martial arts show in the convention center on thursday and this guy was there I think along with the mayor of Dublin and minister for tourism.
But I kept seeing the clip of the little girl being run over by a lorry and left to die while people walked by. Now I know not all china must be like that but the value of life seems worthless esp if female.
Well said Lisa. Me too.
theres pills you can take for that lisa
The value of life everywhere is low.
The computer/iPhone your typing on was more than likely partially build or the materials squired through modern slavery. Same said with many of the products and clothing we buy. We are all part of the problems.
Id suggest getting off the high horses and we leave this visit without accusations of human rights abuses and concentrate on the good that it can bring to our broken country.
Presumably u r referring to the death of Yue Yue, a 2 year old, who was run over by two drivers last year in Foshan, China. Both drivers have been charged with hit and run, a very serious offense. I don’t see how this has anything to do with Xi Jinping’s visit.
Lisa didn’t say it had Paul. She just said she can’t help remembering it. It was pretty unforgettable the amount of passer-bys.
Aydo. No I won’t. My broken country doesn’t need a bandage already soaked in blood. Thanks for the advice, but I’ll decline this time.
Different guy lisa
Reada: It’s called the bystander effect where people do not offer help in an emergency situation where other people are present.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bystander_effect
Same thing happened in New York city in April 2010.
“In April 2010 Hugo Alfredo Tale-Yax was stabbed to death in New York City after coming to the aid of a woman who was being attacked by a robber. Yax was on the sidewalk for more than an hour before firefighters arrived. Almost twenty-five people walked by while he lay dying on a sidewalk in Queens, several stared at Yax; one of them took pictures, however none of them helped or called emergency services.”
What the closed curcuit camera doesn’t show in the tragic video of Yue Yue in Foshan, China, is that there were also people in the street side shops, mere meters away from her, who also didn’t come to her assistance.
I am not condoning it. I am merely pointing out that the bystander effect crosses cultural boundaries.
Rest In Peace, Yue Yue.
Paul. I saw the video. There was no bystanders hanging around waiting to see if anyone else was going to help. I didn’t open it at the time because judging from the reaction of commentators it was harrowing. I saw it by accident on news. It was truly a shocking view.
And don’t mistake me for a star spangled banner waver either. You seem to excusing China’s lack of human rights by coming up with American ones everytime.
Plenty similar cases in the UK also a country which does not compare in size or population to china.
There were probably people in the street side shops on the near side mere meters away from Yue Yue who didn’t come to her assistance. They were off camera. They’re wouldn’t have been captured by the closed circuit camera because they were on the near side of the road. Those who walked by Yue Yue would have seen them however and they would have seemed like bystanders by them. Bystander effect applies.
I am not condoning it. I am merely pointing out that this phenomenon crosses cultural boundaries. As I pointed out to you same thing happened in New York in April 2010 with the death Hugo Alfredo Tale Yax.
Reada everything is soaked in blood. Your fingertips included. If you are living and use products from these countries you are part of the problem.
Simple. I’ve come to terms that my life and the lives of everyone I know and all the posters on this site are built on the backs of others in another country. I don’t lie to myself.
I heard on the radio that 40 Chinese journalists have accompanied Xi Jinping on his visit. It’s nice for them to get a few days out of jail.
look – we need this – badly. this is a massive EU sweetener.
So what if we were a giant university, I worked over there for a British uni and it’s nice work if you can get it. There’s definitely more Ireland Inc. can do to sell to the largest country on earth, we should be competing with the Uk in Ed and Nz for butter there’s 1.3 billion people hungry for new services and products over there.
How much is this visit costing us..
It doesn’t matter jimbo. Sure we’d sell our granny for the hope of a bleedin’ job! Keep rattling your “begging bowl” Gilmore. Your morals aren’t worth a sh!t€ since you got into bed with FG.
Welcome Mr Jinping but deal with your workers rights situation.. http://survey.ituc-csi.org/China.html
Do you know anything else about the Chinese or just the stuff you read on the internets? Your link is extremely vague in its information.
All joking aside. This is really Mr Xi surveying a prospective purchase. Soon you will become subjects of Mr Xi.. or at the very least a massive farm and university for the Chinese. What else do expect the people who we owe money to to do. Sell to highest bidder of course..Otherwise they will never get their money back. So whoever of you thinks this good news better think carefully again.
Another area where the Chinese and Irish can cooperate is wind power! A recent joint Harvard University/Tsinghua University study says that China could supply all its electricity needs from wind power by 2030. China has been making huge strides in wind power in recent years – as have we. We need to get in on that piece of action. 1.35 billion people in China, people! Think about it. Norway is secure and prosperous for now, what with its abundant oil and all. But that won’t last. We could be supplying China and the rest of the world with wind turbines and parts and wind generated renewable power for an eternity.
I’m patiently waiting for the protesters. They must be busy or something. I mean when Bush visited… when Reagan visited… even when poor auld Lizzy visited last year they were out. I hope nothing has happened to them. :)
Michael,
Michael, Thanks for your comment on my comment. Workers rights violations in China is hardly a new story? If you want more specifics – try here: http://www.clb.org.hk/en/node/101252 You will notice that my post began with a welcome for Mr Xi. It is of course desirable that we develop a good relationship with China. However, despite the obvious size and power dispartiies it should be a mature relationship and I for one am glad that human rights was part of the discussion around his visit, and by all accounts during official engagements with the Taoiseach and Tanaiste. It is not only the right thing to do but also in our interestes, as respect for human rights – including an independent trade union movement in China – will lead to a growing domestic demand there and even more opportunities for Irish business in the future.
It’s weird that an event had to be organised in croke park, and another special showing of riverdance later, seems very like what communist countries do for visiting delegates, organised, controlled, well orchestrated staging of events. maybe the government were afraid a mass brawl would break out if he went to one of the club semi-finals.
have your say