On ?1?May 2024, during his visit to Northern Ireland, H.E. Ambassador Zheng Zeguang?met with First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly?of Northern Ireland.

The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on further developing the friendship and cooperation?between China and Northern Ireland.

Ambassador Zheng congratulated the two major political parties in Northern Ireland on successfully forming a new?Northern Ireland Executive, and introduced?China's economic and social development.

Ambassador Zheng?said that China,?committed to modernisation?through a Chinese path, is striving for high-quality development, faster growth of?new quality productive forces, greater?domestic demand, and opening up?at a higher level.

China's?economy grew by 5.2% last year and expanded by 5.3% in the first quarter of this year. Facts show that the fundamentals?of China's economy stay unchanged and will not change in the future. This will continue to provide more opportunities for practical cooperation in various fields between China and Northern Ireland.

Ambassador Zheng noted that local cooperation is an important foundation for?state-to-state relations. China appreciates Northern Ireland's long-standing commitment to exchanges and cooperation with China. Collaboration?between the two sides in fields such as?business, trade, education, culture, and tourism?have yielded fruitful outcomes.

Northern Ireland enjoys?excellent natural conditions and great potentials?for development.?China encourages Chinese businesses, students, and tourists to invest, study, and travel in Northern Ireland?and welcomes?more Northern Ireland investment, quality products and students in?China.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly ?welcomed Ambassador Zheng on his second visit?to Northern Ireland.?They said?that the Northern Ireland government attaches importance to developing its relationship with China.

In recent years, Northern Ireland and China had?close cooperation in business, trade, education, agriculture, and tourism, bringing tangible benefits to both sides. Northern Ireland welcomes more Chinese investments, supports?broader??education collaboration?between universities in Northern Ireland and China,?welcomes Chinese students and tourists to?study and vacation in?Northern Ireland, and hopes to strengthen personnel exchanges and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with China.

They wish?the China-UK/Northern Ireland Education Cooperation Forum to be held on the?day?full success.

The meeting was also attended by Chinese Consul General in Belfast Zhang Meifang, and Counsellor for Political Affairs Kong Xiangwen.