Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 5, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

　　BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- China is willing to strengthen strategic communication with Ireland, deepen political mutual trust and expand pragmatic cooperation to benefit the peoples of both countries and add momentum to China-EU relations, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday.

　　Xi made the remarks when meeting with Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin in Beijing. The Irish prime minister is on an official visit to China from Jan. 4 to 8.

　　Both China and Ireland cherish peace, embrace openness and inclusiveness, and strive for self-reliance and progress, Xi said, adding that the Chinese and Irish people won national independence and liberation through struggles and are advancing toward modernization through sustained efforts of successive generations.

　　Since the establishment of the China-Ireland strategic partnership for mutually beneficial cooperation in 2012, bilateral trade volume has quadrupled, with a balanced development in mutual investment, he noted.

　　Xi said the two countries should maintain friendly exchanges at multiple levels and across diverse fields, continuously enhance communication and mutual understanding, accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns, consolidate political mutual trust, and solidify the political foundation of bilateral relations.