REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT A RECEPTION FOR THE CHINESE COMMUNITY IN IRELAND
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT McALEESE AT A RECEPTION FOR THE CHINESE COMMUNITY IN IRELAND TUESDAY, 27th FEBRUARY, 2007
Good Day
Jintian Hao
Good evening
Wanshang Hao
I am delighted to join you here today and. I greatly appreciate Ambassador Zhang’s hospitality. I hope that I am not too late to wish you a Happy Chinese New Year and to hope that every member of Ireland’s Chinese community will experience happiness and success during the Year of the Pig.
The links between Ireland and China have blossomed markedly over the past decade. There have been regular high level political visits both ways, including a wonderful State Visit I was privileged to make. There have been hugely successful trade delegations and strengthening trade links as well as cultural festivals and that most important source of friendship and mutual respect – exchanges of people.
This is an important opportunity for me to record my admiration and gratitude for the contribution to Irish life, made by Ireland’s Chinese community. We have, with your help, been transformed into a vibrant and dynamic multi-cultural and multi-ethnic society, a place, I hope, of true welcome and of genuine curiosity about other cultures.
When Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan visited Ireland last September he officially opened the first Confucius Institute in Ireland. And with this wonderful resource will come even deeper, stronger and wider educational, cultural and commercial links between Ireland and China. The city of Cork has the honour of being twinned with the truly magnificent city of Shanghai and I know Ireland is greatly looking forward to participating in the Shanghai Expo in 2010. Through these things, the network of shared memories, shared friendships and shared endeavours grows and grows. And of course Ireland and China are both nations which are growing dramatically, each regarded as Tiger economies, each looking at the world through fresh eyes, exploring for opportunities which will help consolidate their citizens improved quality of life.
The Chinese community in Ireland is thriving. Some come for good, some come for a while and return home, like the 3,000-plus Chinese students in higher education institutes in Ireland. They are impressive students and fine ambassadors for China in Ireland and hopefully for Ireland when they return to China.
The festivities of the Chinese New Year have become a very important part of the cultural calendar in Dublin and not just for the very dynamic Chinese community but for their friends and neighbours who appreciate the chance to get to know the customs and the heritage of such a rich culture at close hand. There is no doubt that Ireland has benefited and will continue to benefit enormously from your presence among us as colleagues, neighbours, friends, citizens.
It has been a real privilege to meet you, and through you to send greetings and good wishes to the wider Chinese community throughout Ireland.
Go raibh maith agaibh go léir.
Thank you.
Xie Xie