Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived at Dublin Airport on Tuesday night ahead of a short visit to Ireland that includes meetings with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and President Michael D. Higgins on Wednesday.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang arrived in Ireland on board a Boeing 747-8, the largest commercial aircraft to ever land at Dublin Airport, according to the airport's social media accounts.
"A very special moment as Air China flight CCA001 arrives at Dublin Airport - the largest passenger aircraft to land here in our 84-year history," Dublin Airport said in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The Chinese Premier was greeted at Dublin Airport by Minister for the Environment and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan.
"I was honored to greet the Chinese Premier Li Qiang on his arrival to Ireland in Dublin airport this evening," Ryan said in a statement on X.
He is set to meet Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Farmleigh House on Wednesday afternoon.
The pair are expected to discuss global issues, bilateral issues, and EU-China relations during Wednesday's meeting.
Li is the second-highest-ranking official in China's political system and previously served as Communist Party leader of Shanghai, the biggest city in the country. He is a close ally of President Xi Jinping.
Meanwhile, President Michael D. Higgins will host Li at Áras an Uachtaráin on Wednesday morning.
An Garda Síochána has announced that the Phoenix Park will remain closed to traffic until 7 p.m. on Wednesday as a result of Li's visit, while there will also be rolling road closures at Dublin Airport.
It’s here! A very special moment as Air China flight CCA001 arrives at Dublin Airport - the largest passenger aircraft to land here in our 84 year history. We’re delighted to facilitate the arrival of Premier Li Qiang to Ireland. ✈️ pic.twitter.com/d500hBAR3n
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) January 16, 2024
Li, who addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday, is set to depart Ireland on Wednesday afternoon, following his meeting with Varadkar.
His visit marks the first time that a Chinese Premier has visited Ireland since Li's predecessor Li Keqiang visited in 2015.
President Xi Jinping, who is serving his third term as president, also visited Ireland in 2012, a year before becoming president.
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