Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji arrived on Sunday in the Republic of Ireland on a visit expected to focus on strengthening trade between the two nations.

Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern greeted the Chinese delegation at Dublin Airport. The agenda of the four-day official visit includes high-level discussions on trade, issues of UN Security Council and human rights, a senior Irish official said.

``This visit affords us a great opportunity as we have been deepening our relationship with China in recent years,'' Foreign Minister Brian Cowen said.

China is Ireland's sixth largest non-European Union importer, according to the Central Statistics Office.

Ireland imported 346 million pounds (US$401 million) of Chinese goods in the first six months of 2001, up by 45 percent from the same period last year. Irish exports to China during the same period was 92 million pounds (US$107 million), up 50 percent.

Both nations have attracted investment from technology companies in recent years and enjoyed strong economic growth.

But the current global economic slowdown has hit Ireland. Two US-based computer equipment makers announced plant closures last month -- one plans to transfer production to Taiwan and Chinese mainland.

Cowen said the two governments would also discuss ``matters of common concern'' related to Ireland's position on the UN Security Council.

Ireland began a two-year term on the Security Council in January and will become council chair in October. China is a permanent member.

The foreign minister also said human rights issue would be raised on Monday during meetings between Zhu and Ahern.

``We believe strongly that it is by a policy of engagement rather than by confrontation with the Chinese on these issues which would bring about the necessary progress which we would like to see,'' Cowen said.

``We have a mature relationship with the Chinese and a comprehensive agenda. There are issues on which we share certain ideas, there are others on which we have different points of view.''

Ahern became the first Irish leader to visit China in 1998. Zhu is the most senior Chinese official to visit Ireland.

Zhu is on a 13-day tour that includes visits to Belgium, Russia and Kazakstan and meetings with European Union officials.

(chinadaily.com.cn 09/03/2001)