Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin undertook a significant five-day official visit to China from January 4 to 8, 2026, marking the first time an Irish Taoiseach has visited the country in 14 years. The visit, which included stops in Beijing and Shanghai, was at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and involved high-level meetings with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and Chairman of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji. Martin's discussions encompassed the strengthening of Ireland's bilateral relationship with China, focusing on economic and trading ties, broader EU-China relations, and shared global challenges. The timing of the visit is particularly notable as Beijing actively seeks to bolster its connections with individual European Union member states, navigating a period of strained relations with the EU bloc over issues like tariffs and human rights. Ireland's impending assumption of the rotating presidency of the EU Council in July 2026 further amplified the strategic importance of these dialogues. Key trade issues, such as the reopening of the Chinese market for Irish beef products and China's recently imposed tariffs on EU dairy products, were prominent on the agenda. Martin also emphasized the importance of a strong EU-China relationship and robust multilateral institutions to promote peace, security, and a fair trading environment. The visit aimed to enhance political mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation across various sectors including financial services, education, and agri-food, and inject new momentum into China-EU relations.