President Higgins's visit to China this week successfully combined cordial meetings with the country's top leaders, well-chosen themes linking Ireland and Chinese development and an effective advocacy of closer economic and political relations. That is a significant achievement for a small western country dealing with the world's largest state. It provides a real platform of goodwill for the 91 Irish companies operating there, for enhanced trade in goods and services, for more political cooperation and for the many joint educational and scientific initiatives already under way.
Agriculture, sustainable food production and family farms were major themes in the President’s speeches. They link him to President Xi Jinping, whose visit to Ireland two years ago highlighted how China can learn from Ireland’s experience of making the rapid transition from an agricultural economy to one dominated by urbanism, knowledge and high technology. The two men got on well, reflecting their shared intellectual interests.
Mr Higgins emphasised the social development side of the human rights agenda he has championed, acknowledging China's achievement in lifting hundreds of millions from poverty, while registering our differing constitutional structures. He repeatedly linked such issues to environmental sustainability and his trademark hostility to speculative capital being given priority over social progress. This is a serious agenda capable of further dialogue – with potentially fruitful economic and technological applications.
The other major themes of this visit brought together innovation, scientific research and educational cooperation. They reflect the notable initiatives taken recently by Irish and Chinese universities. Having accomplished such a rapid transition towards an industrialised and urbanised society over the last generation, China must now prioritise its internal economic development, protect its environment and base its politics more centrally on the rule of law. This trip helps ensure Ireland can contribute constructively to that transition.