Beijing joined St. Patrick’s Day celebrations at the Irish Embassy reception with folk music, tap dancing and green clothes on Monday.
St. Patrick's Day is Ireland's National Day, which falls on March 17. On that day, the Great Wall turned green, the iconic color of Ireland, as an annual grand event to celebrate the day for the sixth year.
“This year marks the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Ireland. In this very important year, it’s necessary for us not only to review the past, but also to plan for the future,” Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Qin Gang said, who attended the reception.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Qin Gang (Photos: People's Daily)
China would like to further bilateral relations and make it a model in China-EU relations, Qin said.
Irish Minister of Education and Skills Joe McHugh
Irish Minister of Education and Skills Joe McHugh said that Ireland expects to develop a deeper understanding between the two countries, through the appreciation of both cultures.