First Ministers On China Trade Mission

Northern Ireland's First and deputy First Minister are in China this week, as part of a mission to develop trade, investment, cultural and university links between the two countries.

The China market is worth over £110m in terms of exports by Northern Ireland companies, according to the Executive.

Peter D Robinson and Martin McGuinness arrived in Beijing on Monday and met Madam Li Xiaolin, President of Chinese Peoples Association for Friendship and Foreign Countries, in Beijing.

The First Minister said: "Just over a year ago we had the pleasure of hosting Vice President Madam Liu and her colleagues to Belfast. During the visit we opened the Confucius Institute at the University of Ulster and signed a number of partnership agreements with Queen’s University Belfast.

"Following the visit of Madam Liu our relationship with China has grown stronger. This week we will talk to key Chinese government departments to explore how we can further develop existing links.

"This year we are hosting the World Police and Fire Games and 200 competitors from China are already registered to participate. We hope many more will visit and bring their families for what will be a very enjoyable experience."

The deputy First Minister added: "We are encouraged with the growing relationship we have with China and we hope through our series of meetings in Beijing we will be able to identify more mutually beneficial areas of work. I hope we will see more exchanges between our young people and partnerships between our universities in the future.

"This is a significant year for the north of Ireland with my home city of Derry~Londonderry hosting the year-long City of Culture Programme. There will be a feast of cultural events, ranging from traditional Irish and Scots-Irish music and dance to theatre and the Turner Art Exhibition. We hope to see many of our friends from China visiting us over the coming months and years, to study, do business and to enjoy the experience."

(IT/MH)