Higgins made this statement when receiving the credentials of Xu Jianguo, the new Chinese Ambassador to Ireland.
Higgins said that over the 35 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Ireland and China, bilateral relations have flourished, practical cooperation has continued to increase, and the peoples of both countries have benefited significantly. Ireland is willing to work with China to further solidify the traditional friendship, strengthen coordination and cooperation on the European Union and international stages, and promote the continuous blossoming and fruition of the mutually beneficial strategic partnership between Ireland and China.
Xu Jianguo stated that through joint efforts, the relationship between Ireland and China has become a model of equal treatment and friendly cooperation among countries with different sizes, systems, and stages of development. China's development cannot be separated from the world, and the world's development cannot be separated from China. China is willing to enhance political mutual trust with Ireland, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote cultural exchanges in the spirit of mutual respect and win-win cooperation, elevating the China-Ireland relationship to a new level.
Xu Jianguo arrived in Ireland to take up his post on March 20 of this year. Previously, he served as the Chinese Ambassador to Georgia, Nigeria, and New Zealand.