On May 12, 2004, Irish President Mary McAleese met with visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council at the Presidential Palace and the two sides held cordial and friendly talks.

Mrs. McAleese expressed her welcome for Premier Wen's visit to Europe and Ireland at the historic moment of the enlargement of the European Union (EU). She said that the New Europe is full of vitality and in particular it gives priority to developing relations with China. Ireland and China have witness better and better bilateral relations, vigorous business and trade cooperation and increasingly enhanced exchanges in science, technology, culture and education. The Irish side is very satisfied with these achievements.

Wen conveyed the greetings from President Hu Jintao to President McAleese. He said that the EU has realized its historic enlargement during Ireland's rotating presidency. A strong and stable Europe is not only in the interests of the continents itself, but conducive to world peace and development. China-Ireland friendly relations enjoy an already solid foundation, and the two sides should tap into their potentials to further develop comprehensive friendly, mutual beneficial cooperation. China appreciates Ireland's resolute adherence to the one-China principle and is thankful for Ireland, as a rotating president of the EU, to actively promote development of China-Europe relations.