On 22 September, the Chinese Embassy in Ireland hosted a reception marking the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The Communist Party of Ireland was honoured to accept the invitation of His Excellency Mr. Zhao Xiyuan, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Ireland, and his wife, Madame Li Yi, to join the celebrations.
More than 400 guests attended, reflecting the breadth and warmth of the relationship between Ireland and China. Among those present were the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces; government officials; TDs and Senators; Lord Mayors and Cathaoirligh; representatives of Irish civil society; and diplomatic envoys to Ireland.
HE Ambassador Zhao delivered the opening remarks, vividly outlining the significant contributions of the Communist Party of China in advancing Chinese modernisation, promoting ethnic unity and progress, and strengthening global governance. He emphasised China’s commitment to working with Ireland to foster the healthy and stable development of China–Ireland relations, and to joining hands in building a community with a shared future for humanity.
Guests enjoyed an exhibition themed on China’s ethnic unity, a Chinese buffet and wine reception and viewed videos showcasing the country’s charm, along with unique cultural performances from Ireland and China.
The CPI’s engagement with the People Republic of China extends well beyond the annual National Day celebrations. In early October, the Party will co-sponsor and send a delegate to the Friends of Socialist China conference in London. Organised by Friends of Socialist China with support from a range of progressive organisations—including the Morning Star, the Communist Party of Britain, the Workers Party of Britain, the Communist Party of Ireland, the Young Communist League of Britain, the International Manifesto Group, CODEPINK, No Cold War Britain, and many others—the conference will feature panels on resisting the new cold war and the threat of hot war, AI and the new quality productive forces, and the launch of a book on China’s foreign policy and the making of a multipolar world.
Confirmed speakers include Mick Wallace, Vijay Prashad, George Galloway, Jenny Clegg, Kate Hudson, Alex Gordon, Zhang Weiwei, John Ross, Radhika Desai, Roger McKenzie, Gearóid Ó Machail, and many more, alongside embassy speakers from China, Cuba, and Laos.
Later in October, the CPI will host a high-level delegation from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) at our Party offices. The delegation is led by Mr. Zhao Rui, Vice President of CASS and President of the World Association for China Studies (WACS). Mr. Zhao has long been dedicated to forging ties with friends of China and those who know China well. We believe the meeting with our Party’s International Committee will provide a valuable opportunity to exchange views on China–Ireland relations and other topics of mutual interest.
For the Communist Party of Ireland, these engagements reflect our longstanding commitment to international solidarity and to the development of cordial relations between Irish and Chinese communists. The CPI has consistently supported the right of every nation to determine its own path of development, free from external interference, and stands in solidarity with the Chinese people in their remarkable progress in building socialism and modernisation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China.
We extend our warmest congratulations to the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people on the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and look forward to continuing to build friendship and understanding between our two nations.
