DIFFERENT APPROACHES on human rights will be taken by Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Eamon Gilmore when they welcome Chinese vice-president Xi Jinping to Ireland this weekend.
Heading a 150-strong delegation, Mr Xi arrives at Shannon from the US on Saturday afternoon, where he will be greeted by Mr Gilmore.
There is no provision for questions from the media to the Chinese leader during the three-day visit, a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman said.
Journalists are therefore unlikely to have a chance to ask him about reports that, as world attention was focused on the Arab Spring, Beijing launched a crackdown on China’s human rights activists.
The Taoiseach clearly has no intention of raising such issues and his spokesman said last night: “The primary focus of this visit is to promote business and trade relationships between China and Ireland.
“The normal vehicle for addressing issues such as human rights is through EU foreign policy and, if the matter is to be raised, it would be in that context.”
However, a spokesman for Mr Gilmore said: “In meetings with Chinese leaders who visit, we raise human rights issues in a frank, friendly and respectful manner, which reflects the maturity of our relationship.”
The Government regularly discussed human rights issues in China, “including individual cases”, on a bilateral basis with the Chinese government, both in Beijing and in Dublin, the department spokesman added.
Mr Gilmore hosts a dinner for Mr Xi on Saturday evening at Bunratty Castle, famous for its medieval banquets. Like former US president George W Bush, the Chinese leader will be staying at Dromoland Castle.
Mr Xi has a special interest in agriculture and, on Sunday morning, he will visit a farm at Sixmilebridge, Co Clare, which will be followed by a visit to the Cliffs of Moher. He then flies to Dublin where he will go straight to Croke Park.
He will be treated to a sporting display by GAA players in what are described as “demonstration games”.
Mr Xi, who is expected to become president of the People’s Republic next year, will hold talks with the Taoiseach at Dublin Castle on Sunday evening, to be followed by a dinner at the same venue hosted by Mr Kenny.
The Chinese delegation will afterwards attend a private performance of Riverdance in the O’Reilly Theatre at Belvedere College on Dublin’s northside.
The next morning Mr Xi will call on President Michael D Higgins, a long-time human rights campaigner, at Áras an Uachtaráin. He is also scheduled to meet Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett and Seanad Cathaoirleach Paddy Burke at Leinster House. The delegation will attend the China-Ireland Trade and Investment Forum at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham before flying on to Turkey.
The delegation will have spent five days in the US before coming here.
