The Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, will today address the the Seventh Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) as he continues his trade visit in China.
Among others who will speak at the event will be China’s President Hu, the President of Finland (host of ASEM 6) and President Nicolas Sarkozy of France for the EU presidency.
The formal summit programme opens today, with Premier Wen Jiabao welcoming heads of government at the Great Hall of the People, Tiananmen Square, Beijing.
At the gathering, ASEM leaders will discuss political, economic, social and cultural issues, including those related to sustainable development. ASEM - established in 1996 - brings together 40 countries from Europe and ASIA.
Minister for Education Batt O'Keeffe, who is part of the trade delegation, today announced that the Irish and Chinese governments had agreed to set up a new framework for greater co-operation in the higher education sector.
Speaking in Beijing today after meeting Zhang Xinsheng, China's deputy education minister, Mr O'Keeffe described the agreement as "a major step forward in building Ireland's relationship with our education partners in China".
"The total impact on the Irish economy from international students in third level and the English language sector is estimated at between €830 million and €1 billion annually," he said.
He noted that over 3,500 Chinese students are now studying in Ireland - the largest cohort after the US - and international student numbers in Ireland are about 27,000.
'We want to double our international student cohort in Ireland over the next three years."
He continued: "Developing education links with partners in Asia is an investment in our future economy. This mission has placed the Irish education sector at the heart of the Chinese market and raised our profile considerably among key decision-makers in Government."
Yesterday, the Taoiseach told a business breakfast in Beijing that Ireland remained open for business and that the country retained vibrant financial and enterprise sectors and an environment highly favourable to investment,
Mr Cowen also held talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at Beijing's Great Hall of the People.
The controversy over the medical card measures in the Budget meant his arrival had to be postponed from Monday to Wednesday of this week.