国内英语新闻:Senior CPC official meets Irish leaders on bilateral ties

DUBLIN, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Visiting senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official Li Changchun on Monday met with Irish President Mary McAleese and Prime Minister Brian Cowen to discuss bilateral relations.

Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, said that bilateral relations have developed steadily since China and Ireland established diplomatic relations. Especially in recent years, the two nations have increased high-level exchanges, enhanced political mutual trust and broadened trade cooperation.

He added that China has become the biggest trading partner of Ireland in Asia for five consecutive years, and the two countries have reached fruitful achievements in science and technology, education and culture and maintained close coordination on international affairs.

Li Changchun (R), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, meets with Irish President Mary McAleese in Dublin, Ireland, Sept. 27, 2010.

Li expressed appreciation for Ireland's adherence to the one- China policy and said China is willing to join hands with Ireland to strength dialogue and communication, deepen pragmatic cooperation in the various fields.

For her part, McAleese said in recent years, closer political exchanges and trade cooperation between Ireland and China have further promoted the development of bilateral ties. She hoped that both sides would continue to maintain such positive momentum and expand cooperation to elevate the ties to a higher level.