Tag Archives: China

REPRESSION of protests in China made headlines across the world in the last week, but weren’t even mentioned when the Chinese ambassador met with Clare County Council on Monday. The local authority hosted China’s Ambassador to Ireland, He Xiangdong, to mark Clare’s twinning relationship with Yunnan Province in China. Yunnan Province, which has a population of more than 46 million, is in the far southwest of China and borders Vietnam, Laos, and Burma. In a statement issued through Clare County Council, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council Tony O’Brien said he had been honoured to host the ambassador. “A lot of work and time has been invested in nurturing the relationship between Clare and Yunnan Province and it was an honour to welcome the Ambassador to County Clare. “Though separated by thousands of miles, the twinning relationship has already made significant strides towards bridging this gap through a shared spirit of cooperation, mutual understanding, exchange of knowledge and more importantly, friendship.” …

THE world’s top band U2, is among those to come on board to fund a cargo plane of personal protection equipment (PPE) being brought from China to Ireland by Ennis man Dómhnal Slattery. Avolon, the aircraft leasing company owned by Mr Slattery, landed flight MSN 396 with a full consignment PPE at Dublin Airport last week. The A330 aircraft contained 40 ventilators, 1.1m exam gloves, 250,000 surgical masks, 60,000 medical goggles and 20,000 medical face shields. “We are confident the medical supplies as sourced by the HSE, PCH and Avolon are of the highest quality available and contain the CE marking,” said Mr Slattery. The well-known businessman gave a commitment to do even more in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic. It has emerged that Bono, the Edge, Adam and Larry are among the individuals involved with Avolon on this project. U2 have committed €10m to the project and they have purchased the PPE that Avolon will fly from China …

A second Qatar Airways cargo plane carrying vital medical equipment from China landed at Shannon Airport yesterday afternoon. The cargo was the second consignment to arrive in Shannon in under a week. Among the medical equipment on board were ICU ventilators, masks and thermometers for distribution to frontline workers around Ireland in the fight against COVID-19. This follows a delivery of ICU ventilators and hospital beds which arrived in Shannon on a Qatar plane on April 3. Qatar Airways is one of the world’s largest cargo operators and has an extensive network of more than 160 destinations using both freight and passenger flights. The airline resumed flights to China at the end of last month to support the global supply chain, which includes the transportation of urgent medical relief aid, essential to the global fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Commenting on this latest consignment Mary Considine, CEO Shannon Group, which operates Shannon Airport said: “As an essential service our airport …

NORTH Clare milliner Margaret O’Connor has just returned home from China this week with a Global Innovation Design Award, having showcased at Guangzhou International Fashion Week. The Boston, Tubber woman was invited to design a collection of hats to complement a line of clothing by London-based fashion designer Derek Lawlor at the event in China. Margaret made 15 hats accompanying Derek Lawlor’s 30 looks at a catwalk event, as part of the international fashion week. Exhibited as a designer in her own right, Margaret was delighted to then be chosen as the recipient of a Global Innovation Design Award at the closing of the 10-day fashion extravaganza. Guangzhou International Fashion Week showcased more than 150 designers across its programme of events and Margaret said she was delighted to be the only Irish designer among them. She explained how a friend of Derek’s felt his line needed a little something extra and he approached Margaret to create stunning hats to complement …

A delegation comprising officials and members of Clare County Council is in China to officially mark the county/province relationship, as well as establish a formal link between the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark and the Stone Forest Geopark (Shilin Geopark) in Yunnan. Officials and members of Clare County Council and officials and public representative of the Chinese province today (Wednesday) signed an agreement aimed at developing close industrial, tourism, farming, educational and cultural ties between the regions. Yunnan, which has a population of more than 46 million, is located in the far southwest of China and borders Vietnam, Laos and Burma. Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, John Crowe ,who tabled a council motion calling for a twinning arrangement between the two regions to be explored in 2012 following the visit of the Chinese President to Clare, commented, “This is a historic occasion for the people of County Clare and Yunnan Province. Though separated by thousands of miles, this agreement …

China’ Premier Li Keqiang received a warm welcome at Shannon Airport on Sunday at at the start of a two-day visit to Ireland. Premier Li and his wife Professor Cheng Hong were greeted on arrival by Minister for Finance Michael Noonan; Shannon Group chairman Rose Hynes; CEO Neil Pakey, Irish Ambassador to China, Paul Kavanagh,;Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Ireland Jianguo Xu and Deputy Pat Breen. Premier Li, accompanied on the visit by eight Chinese government ministers, travelled on to Headford to meet Taoiseach Enda Kenny on at local farm. Later they had a series of meeting at Ashford Castle. f Minister Noonan said, “It’s a very important visit because Premier Li is on the way to an extensive visit in South America and as part of that they have decided to stop over in Ireland. We are particularly pleased that he has chosen to stop over in Shannon. “We would also like to …

Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang touched down at Shannon Airport this afternoon, where he was met by Finance Minister Michael Noonan and Shannon Group officials. Speaking shortly after welcoming him, Mr Noonan said,”It’s a very important visit. The Chinese Prime Minister is on his way to an extensive visit of South America where he is visiting four countries. We’re very pleased that as part of that trip they decided to stop over in Ireland and I’m particularly pleased that the stop over is in Shannon. Premier Li is the second most powerful man in China, President Xi Jinping when he visited Ireland also came to Shannon and he concentrated on this part of the country. There’s no doubt for historic reasons they have a particular interest in the Shannon Region, in Clare and in the west of Ireland.” There was a significant Garda presence at Shannon as the Chinese Premier arrived and there will also be a major security operation …

CLARE’S links with China stretch back to the early part of the last century, when several people from the west of the county served with the Shanghai police force and in the judiciary. In a week when Clare County Council voted to accept an invitation from the vice-president of Yunnan Province to visit the region in April or May, with a view to building links between the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark and the Stone Forest Geopark (Shilin Geopark), located in the south-west of China, historian Paddy Waldron has told The Clare Champion of the connection between Carrigaholt and Cross to Shanghai, in particular. Pat Keating from Fierd in Cross returned to Ireland from China in 1933 and later donated one thousand pounds for a marble altar in the Catholic church in the village, near his birthplace. He bought Plassey House, known as the White House to University of Limerick students, in 1933. He is thought to have got …