The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Eamon Gilmore, is travelling to China today to begin a four day political and economic mission. 

Mr Gilmore's visit marks the first time a sitting Tánaiste has visited the People's Republic.

The Tánaiste is due to hold talks with China's Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, and the Chairman of China's Communist Party.

Eamon Gilmore is now the seventh Irish minister to visit China in the past year, highlighting the importance the Government attaches to improving trade links with the East Asian giant.

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Speaking ahead of his departure, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said: "This is a significant visit coming at a critical time in Ireland's economic recovery.

"In the period since the Strategic Partnership Agreement was reached there has been impressive progress made in Irish-Chinese relations. Irish trade with China is now worth over €8 billion a year, with a strong trade surplus in Ireland's favour," he said