A Chinese government invitation to a Northern Ireland council has been kept behind closed doors away from public view.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s recent economy, regeneration and tourism committee is now set to consider the costs of the foreign trip following a Sinn Fein backed proposal.
UK nationals are now allowed to visit the country without a visa from today, the Chinese New Year of the ‘Fire Horse’.
In open session, committee chairperson Killian Feehan said: “It was agreed on the proposal of Councillor Valerie Harte and seconded by Councillor Geraldine Kearns to acknowledge the invitation for an outward visit to China from the Chinese Consulate General in Belfast, to be facilitated by the NI Bureau in China and bring further details on proposed dates, itinerary, and costs to the next ERT meeting.”
China is Northern Ireland’s second-largest import according to the Belfast-based consulate’s website.
The details of the ‘International Relations Friendship Agreement’ were kept away from the media and the public as the committee voted to discuss the matters in confidential session.
However, the Local Democracy Reporting Service understands a number of councillors will be able to attend a one week fact finding tour of China due to take place between April and June this year.
The invite has been sent from Consul General Li Nan who celebrated the 10th anniversary of the the Chinese Consulate in Belfast last year.
A recent policy change by the China’s foreign ministry said visa-free entry to UK citizens would be permitted for tourism, business or visits to family and friends, with the policy set to stay in effect initially until 31 December.
It follows Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s official visit to China last month, where he and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed travel rules would be relaxed.
China extended its visa waiver policy to Irish passport holders late last year.
The recent visit to China by a UK Prime Minister was the first since 2018 and faced criticism from some Westminster opposition figures amid approved plans for a major new Chinese embassy in London over concerns it could be used as a base for spying and pose security risks.
