One of the main recommendations of the Government's Asia Strategy Group was formally implemented yesterday when the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, opened the first Irish consulate in Shanghai.
The strategy group, set up by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, after his visit to China two years ago, recommended a new focus on Asia for trade and investment, with particular concentration on China.
Ms Harney, who was given a tour beforehand of Shanghai's futuristic new financial centre in the Pudong district, said: "As the commercial and financial capital of China it is right that Ireland should have a presence here." Consul general Mr Geoffrey Keating and his wife Jane arrived in Shanghai earlier this year to set up the mission. The consulate has two Irish and five Chinese staff, including vice-consul Ms Dearbhla Doyle and commercial attache Ms Susan Li, who was born in Pudong.
A new Irish Embassy has been established in Singapore and a consulate in Sydney. Staffing levels have been raised in Beijing. Ms Harney acknowledged, however, that Ireland was still underrepresented in China in comparison with other similar-sized EU and world economies, but said it was correcting the situation from a very low base. The Tanaiste witnessed the signing of an agreement between Prof Wang Rong Hua, deputy director-general of Shanghai education commission, and Mr John Lynch of the International Education Board of Ireland for the placement of secondary school teachers from Shanghai in Irish colleges for summer courses.
Later she unveiled a plaque to launch a partnership between International House Ireland, based at Griffith College in Dublin, and the first International House in China, at Shanghai's Chiway Institute of Studies. International House specialises in intensive English-language programmes and according to its representative, Ms Marna Halion, has 115 schools around the world.
Ms Harney travels to Hong Kong today.