Li Hongzhong, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with Maria Byrne, Leas-Chathaoirleach (deputy chairperson) of Seanad, the upper house of the Irish parliament, in Dublin, Ireland, May 15, 2025. Li paid a visit to Ireland from Wednesday to Saturday with a Chinese delegation. (The Houses of the Oireachtas/Handout via Xinhua)

DUBLIN, May 17 (Xinhua) -- China's National People's Congress (NPC) stands ready to continue friendly exchanges with the Irish parliament, jointly create a legal environment conducive to promoting bilateral cooperation, and advance the development of China-Ireland relations, Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, has said.

Li, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the statement during a visit to Ireland from Wednesday to Saturday with a Chinese delegation.

During his stay in the Irish capital Dublin, Li held separate talks with Verona Murphy, Ceann Comhairle (speaker) of Dail, the lower house of the Irish parliament, and Maria Byrne, Leas-Chathaoirleach (deputy chairperson) of Seanad, the upper house. He also held discussions with teachers and students from the Confucius Institute at University College Dublin.

Li said that the mutually beneficial strategic partnership between China and Ireland continues to develop in a healthy and sustainable manner under the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Irish President Michael D. Higgins.

Noting that the world is undergoing significant and accelerating changes, Li called on both sides to strengthen political mutual trust, maintain open cooperation, and deepen exchanges in such areas as trade, science and technology, education, culture, and local affairs to achieve shared development and prosperity.

The Irish side said the government highly values developing relations with China, adheres to the one-China policy, supports open and free trade, and is willing to strengthen exchanges between the legislative bodies, contributing to mutual benefits and win-win cooperation between Ireland and China. ■

Li Hongzhong, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with Verona Murphy, Ceann Comhairle (speaker) of Dail, the lower house of the Irish parliament, in Dublin, Ireland, May 15, 2025.

Li paid a visit to Ireland from Wednesday to Saturday with a Chinese delegation. (The Houses of the Oireachtas/Handout via Xinhua)

Li Hongzhong, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, holds discussions with teachers and students from the Confucius Institute at University College Dublin in Dublin, Ireland, May 15, 2025.

Li paid a visit to Ireland from Wednesday to Saturday with a Chinese delegation. (Xinhua/Li Ying)

Li Hongzhong, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with Verona Murphy, Ceann Comhairle (speaker) of Dail, the lower house of the Irish parliament, in Dublin, Ireland, May 15, 2025.

Li paid a visit to Ireland from Wednesday to Saturday with a Chinese delegation. (The Houses of the Oireachtas/Handout via Xinhua)