On February 16th and 17th, China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi (王毅) visited Ireland. Mr. Wang is the second senior Chinese official to visit Ireland in just over a year, following a visit by Premier Li Qiang (李强) in January of 2024.
In this episode of Perspectives with Neilo, we dive deep into China's growing interest in Ireland and how this dynamic intersects with broader EU-China relations. We examine how the rise of protectionist policies under US President Donald Trump coupled with China's desire to reshape the international rules-based world order creates challenges for Ireland who find themselves navigating a complex geopolitical terrain.
We examine the ripple effects of these global power dynamics on frontline democracies like Taiwan and Ukraine and analyze whether Ireland could become a new battleground in this struggle for global influence.
Tune in to this episode of Perspectives with Neilo as we take a closer look at the circumstances surrounding the latest Chinese visit to Ireland and what factors could be prompting this uptick of interest in a turbulent geopolitical landscape.
Date of Recording: February 22nd, 2025.
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| Irish Deputy Prime Minister (Tanaiste) Simon Harris welcomes Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Ireland on February 17th, 2025 |
DIVE DEEPER:
Additional information on the topics discussed in this episode:
- Tanaiste meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Ireland), Press Release (February 17th, 2025)
- China ready to enhance cooperation with Ireland: FM - Xinhua (China State Media) (February 18th, 2025)
- Wang Yi heads to Dublin as Ireland's role in US-China rivalry comes into focus - Finbarr Bermingham, South China Morning Post (February 13th, 2025)
- Could China actually win from Trump's trade war ? - Yvonne Murray, RTE News (February 10th, 2025)
- Chinese foreign minister to visit Ireland next week amid Trump uncertainty over international alignment - Denis Staunton, The Irish Times (February 10th, 2025)
- How has Russian economy dodged Western sanctions? - Arthur Sullivan, DW News (February 22nd, 2025)
- China Saw Record Trade with Russia in 2024: Customs Data - Agence France Presse, Barrons (January 13th, 2025)
- Focus on the New Economy, Not the Old: Why China's Economic Slowdown Understates Gains - Gerard DiPippo - RAND (February 18th, 2025)
- Lu Shaye, China's 'wolf-warrior' diplomat, appointed special representative for Europe - Harold Thibault, Le Monde (February 8th, 2025)
- Chinese Ambassador to Ireland Zhao Xiyuan presents credentials to President Michael D.Higgins - PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs, (February 12th, 2025)
- The maps that show how China's military is squeezing Taiwan - Helen Davidson, The Guardian (January 8th, 2025)
- China targets European firms in anti-subsidy probe into EU dairy - Mei Mei Chu, Reuters (October 14th, 2024)
- Blinken says he challenged China's Xi on Russia war support - Anthony Zurcher, BBC News (April 26th, 2024)
- Suspension of Irish beef exports to China after BSE case disappointing, says Tanaiste - Denis Staunton, Vivienne Clarke, Tim O'Brien, The Irish Times (November 8th, 2023)
- The Face of China: A Globetrotting Diplomat Armed with U.S. Admonitions - Jane Perlez, New York Times (August 21st, 2022)
You might also like:
- Irelands Knowledge Deficit on China - Interview with Alexander Dukalskis, UCD (February 2024)
- Wolf Warrior Peace Brokering - Interview with Jojje Olsson (May 2023)
- Taiwan, Ireland and Wolf Warrior Interference - Interview with Senator Gerry Horkan (January 2025)
