Skip to content

Chinese premier touches down in Dublin

PA Li Qiang waves from the door of his plane after it arrives at Dublin AirportPA
Mr Li arrived at Dublin Airport on Tuesday evening

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has arrived in Dublin as he begins an official visit to the Republic of Ireland.

He flew in on a Boeing 747-8 at about 19:00 on Tuesday, marking a historic moment for the Dublin Airport.

"A very special moment as Air China flight CCA001 arrives at Dublin Airport - the largest passenger aircraft to land here in our 84 year history," the airport shared on X, formerly Twitter.

He was welcomed by Environment Minister Eamon Ryan.

PA Boeing 747-8 at Dublin airportPA
Dublin Airport said the plane was the largest ever passenger aircraft to land at the airport

Mr Li is the second-highest ranking official in China's political system.

A close ally of President Xi Jinping, he was appointed to parliament last year, having previously served as Communist Party leader of the country's biggest city, Shanghai.

It is the first time since 2015 that such a high-ranking Chinese official has visited Ireland.

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

Mr Li is scheduled to meet President Michael D Higgins at his residence, Áras an Uachtaráin, in Phoenix Park in Dublin on Wednesday morning.

Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar is then expected to host Mr Li during a working lunch at Farmleigh House in the city.

The two leaders are set to discuss global issues, bilateral issues and EU-China relations before Mr Li departs in the afternoon.

Gardaí (Irish police) have advised of rolling road closures on Tuesday evening and Wednesday afternoon.

Phoenix Park will be closed to traffic until 19:00 on Wednesday.