Beijing, March 28 (IANS) Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said Wednesday his country intends to intensify its cooperation with China. The two countries have agreed to forge a strategic partnership between them, Xinhua reported.
“We want to intensify our cooperation with China and I foresee great mutual benefit from increased cooperation,” said Kenny, who is undertaking a five-day official visit to China.
Kenny arrived in China Sunday at the invitation of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.
In recent years, Irish trade with China has grown prosperously. The number of Irish companies with a permanent trading or business presence in China has increased 300 percent in five years, Kenny said at the Tsinghua University.
The Irish prime minister said China’s reform and opening up, and the consequent modernisation and urbanisation, were not only transforming China itself, but also having profound effects on the whole world.
The ambitious goals of China’s current Five Year Plan, such as re-balancing the Chinese economy and further developing its service economy, are all areas where Ireland has much to offer, he said.
