Issue 2 2015 - ISSN Print 2009-7417 (Digital Copy online ISSN 2009-7425)
THE IRELAND CHINA JOURNAL – CONNECTING THE CONNECTED IN CHINA AND IRELAND
THE IRELAND CHINA JOURNAL CONNECTING THE CONNECTED IN CHINA AND IRELAND
ISSUE 2 2015 - ISSN PRINT 2009 -7417 (DIGITAL COPY ONLINE ISSN 2009 -7425)
President Michael D. Higgins meets Chinese President Xi Jinping on State Visit.
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THE IRELAND CHINA JOURNAL CONNECTING THE CONNECTED IN CHINA AND IRELAND
WELCOME I
Publisher Abbeyville Communications and Media Limited The Ireland China Journal Suite 127 Grange Hill, Baldoyle Ind Park, Baldoyle, Dublin 13, Ireland Tel: +353 (0) 1 806 3000 Fax: +353 (0) 1 806 3001 Int: +353 1 8063000 Email: dermot@theirelandchinajournal.com Web: www.theirelandchinajournal.com
ie.linkedin.com/pub/the-ireland-china-journal Managing Director Michael O’Driscoll michael@theirelandchinajournal.com Managing Editor Dermot Hogan dermot@theirelandchinajournal.com Journalist Lynne Nolan Photographer Paul Byrne paul@theirelandchinajournal.com - 085 826 6339
would like to welcome you to the 1st issue of the Ireland China Journal for 2015. The inaugural issue in 2014 was a roaring success on its launch and achieved some great media coverage both in Ireland and China. I would like to thank Ken Duggan (Chairman) and Susan Barrett (Vice Chair.) The Ireland China Business Association for all their guidance and support and all contributors to The Ireland China Journal including Gary Fallon and Philip Singleton from Enterprise Ireland, HE Ambassador Paul Kavanagh and his team in China and HE Ambassador Jianguo Xu and the staff at the Chinese Embassy in Dublin. Sincere thanks also to all our advertisers for their continued support and I hope we can continue this relationship into the future. As mentioned previously, we have been overwhelmed by the marvelous response to the Journal. Our intention is not to simply maintain the standard set so far, but to raise it. We always welcome comments and criticism and positively encourage this; without your feedback, we cannot improve. With this in mind, please do let us know how and where we might be able to improve content in the Journal; what type of content you would like to see added (or even removed); and what events both in Ireland and China might be covered in future editions. We return again later in the year with our second issue of 2015. In the meantime, enjoy the information! Dermot Hogan Editor
Member Firm Legal Advisor Peppe Santoro www.venturelaw.ie Graphic Design Rob Lewis www.minx.ie Web Design Eric Hewson www.his.ie Distribution www.lettershop.ie The Ireland China Business Association Chairman Ken Duggan Vice Chair Susan Barrett Office Manager Jennifer Condon Ireland China Business Association 28 Merrion Square Dublin 2 Tel: +353 1 6424178 Email: info@irelandchina.org Web: www.irelandchina.org
Disclaimer: All rights reserved. The opinions and views expressed in this publication are not neccessarily those of Abbeyville Communications And Media Limited, The Ireland China Journal or the Ireland China Business Association. Readers are requested to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication, which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the readers particular circumstances. While every effort is taken to ensure accuracy of the information contained in this Publication the Publisher Abbeyville Communications And Media Limited or the Ireland China Business Association are not liable for any errors and/or omissions contained in this publication.
Copyright: All content and images used in this publication in print and electronic/digital format are owned or licensed by Abbeyville Communications and Media Limited or its affiliates for use in The Ireland China Journal only. Unauthorized use is prohibited.
The Ireland China Journal | 1
CONTENTS
4 6 8
Address from Ken Duggan Chairman of the Ireland China Business Association. Introduction from Susan Barrett Vice Chair of The Ireland China Business Association. Presidential State Visit President Michael D. Higgins made his State Visit to China in December ‘14, the first by a President of Ireland in 11 years. The Ireland China Journal looks back at the highlights.
Breen TD, Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, 16 Pat tells Lynne Nolan how the recently-launched British Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS) will benefit Chinese visitors to Ireland.
of Ireland: Chinese investment in Ireland, 18 Bank with some notable success stories. In recent years, Bank of Ireland has attracted almost all the Chinese companies investing in Ireland.
The world leader in aircraft leasing, 24 IDA: Ireland is open for more business for China, IDA Ireland’s Head of Growth Markets & IT Eileen Sharpe tells Lynne Nolan.
28
Minister for Education and Skills Jan O’Sullivan is confident we can deliver tangible results from Chinese-Irish relationships.
Ireland encourage FDI in The Food 64 Enterprise Industry. Andrew O’Callaghan, Deputy FDI Leader 66 PwC for PwC and Joe Tynan, a partner in PwC’s tax practice, discuss how the professional services firm helps Chinese companies looking to do business in Ireland.
Sino-Irish Business Seminar gathered 70 The speakers of a very high calibre to deliver insights into doing business in China’s agri-
the Trinity College Dublin and the Trinity food sector. 32 Inside Centre for Asian Studies. Wilson Architecture an international firm and L Goodbody: Award winning Law firm 72 with expertise in the pharmaceutical and life 38 Aprovide an Innovative approach, successful sciences market, managing director Frank engagement with China.
42
. Donal Buckley, Director of Business Development and Innovation Services at Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) tells Lynne Nolan the huge potential for Irish Seafood companies in China.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the 46 Ireland’s Marine Simon Coveney wrapped up his trade mission to China by recapping the opinions of those he met.
Group: With a major investment 54 Kerry programme underway to establish state-ofthe-art manufacturing facilities in Nantong,
Kerry Group is helping local Chinese companies to develop innovative food offerings.
Bia: Business Booming at Bord Bía’s 58 Bord Marketplace.
O’Mahony tells Lynne Nolan of their success in China.
Airlines flying double daily from Dublin 76 Turkish to Istanbul with excellent connection to Asia. Shangri-La Pudong Hotel and Grand 78 Featured Tower in East Shanghai- World Class. 80 Chinese New Year 2015 Celebrations in Dublin. 84 Book Review. 86 Useful Contacts. 88 Dates for your Diary.
www.theirelandchinajournal.com 2 | The Ireland China Journal
Ken Duggan
Message from Chairman I am delighted to welcome the second edition of the Ireland China Journal. The response to the first edition was overwhelming and 10,000 copies were distributed in Ireland and China. It is heartening to see such a growth in the interest in Sino Irish business and Bi Lateral relations. A lot has happened in a very short time. The highlight of 2014 for the ICBA was An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD’S attendance at our second annual dinner in November. He addressed our members and distinguished guests with an excellent speech and then happily mingled with the guests for a lengthy period. Minister Simon Coveney Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine also attended and answered many queries fielded by members and guests. Key members of the Chinese Embassy represented His Excellency, Ambassador Xu who was in China at the time. Our dinner was kindly sponsored by ICBC Leasing Ireland marking the first occasion a Chinese company 4 | The Ireland China Journal
Ken Duggan
had sponsored our event. The general manager of ICBC Leasing , Mr Xu gave a wonderful thought provoking speech. The ICBA value and greatly appreciate the support of ICBC. Our New Year’s Sino Irish Business Seminar was held in association with the Dublin Chinese New Year Festival and sponsored by Arthur Cox Solicitors. The focus was on the Agri/Food sector. His Excellency, Ambassador Xu and Minister Tom Hayes T.D., Department
Ken Duggan
of Agriculture, Food and the Marine opened the seminar to a packed audience in the Westbury Hotel. I am delighted to see that the Ministerial visits to China are continuing, the highlight being the Presidential visit of Michael D. Higgins last December which raised Ireland’s profile on the international stage. I look forward to a return visit of President Xi Jinping to Ireland in the near future. The good news continues with the lifting of the ban on Irish beef exports to China opening up huge opportunities for the Irish industry and also the removal of the milk quota on the 1st of April this year. It is clear from the feedback from members that Networking events are very popular and we will continue with that programme when we will very shortly announce details of more events during the year. We look forward to a 2015 and to developing many new relationships in the ICBA.
Ken Duggan Chairman ICBA, Susan Barrett Vice Chair ICBA, Caroline Devlin Partner and Head of Asis-Pacific Group Arthur Cox and Dr. Brendan Halligan, Chairman of the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA)
The Ireland China Journal | 5
Susan Barrett
Minister of State of Dept of Agri, Food and Marine Tom Hayes, Susan Barrett Vice Chair ICBA and HE Jianquo Xu Chinese Ambassador to Ireland.
Message from Vice Chair Business development and the development of cultural links go hand in hand in Chinese society. Last year we celebrated the Year of the Horse and marked this special year by holding our Annual Barbeque at Leopardstown Racecourse on the closing night of their summer festival. His Excellency, Ambassador Xu was guest of honour. The event was deemed an outstanding success with both our Chinese and Irish members, families and friends enjoying the excellent racing, the party atmosphere, the food and the fun! I look forward to more of the same fun and networking at this year’s barbeque which we propose to hold again at Leopardstown in August. 6 | The Ireland China Journal
Enterprise Ireland organised an Irish Pavilion at the China Horse Fair in October for the first time to assist Irish companies in the promotion of Ireland’s world class equine industry. His Excellency, Ambassador Paul Kavanagh addressed the opening forum and Mr. Terence ORourke Chairman Enterprise Ireland also visited the exhibition. I participated in the exhibition where excellent connections were made and further opportunities for the sector identified. I was also delighted to join the Education Mission headed up by Minister Jan O’Sullivan, Dept of Education and Skills in Shanghai at
Susan Barrett
the end of October. The advantages of Education in Ireland were highlighted to further developing Sino Irish academic links and many new connections made. On the home front we welcomed an ever increasing number of Chinese Business delegations to Ireland in 2014. Seminars and social events were held to promote the development of new business relationships, connections and friendships with these delegates. Brown Thomas hosted an excellent member’s networking breakfast in their new restaurant in February. Mark Limby, GM of Brown Thomas updated the audience with the services BT have made available in recognition of the importance of the Chinese tourist to the store. The event was an outstanding success with Martina Riches Deputy GM and Eoghan Sadlier, Tourism Manager in attendance to assist with any queries. Moving into the Year of the Sheep, I am delighted that we are working again this year with the Dublin Chinese New Year Festival headed up by new Chairman, Mr Ray Yeates. This year the focus of our annual Chinese New Year Seminar was the ever growing Agri Food sector. The packed audience at the Westbury Hotel’s Grafton Suite were treated to some powerful insights by industry leaders into how to conduct business successfully in China. There are many new and exciting opportunities arising from the strong Sino Irish relationships already developed in particular from the very perceptible trend of strongly upward volumes in outward Chinese investment, which trend is forecast to grow very strongly over the next few years. Many Chinese companies now welcome the opportunity to buy stakes in Irish companies and also to engage in technology/ expertise/ systems transfers with Irish companies in China. I look forward to further development of the new relationships made in 2014 having signed new MOU’S in Beijing and Shenyang and to hosting more Chinese Delegations over the course of the year. Building on the success of the seminars held in Kilkenny, Cavan and Dundalk we will organise many more seminars countrywide throughout 2015 to widen the reach of the ICBA and to welcome new members.
Susan Barrett with Ken Duggan Chairman ICBC
I welcome an exciting and prosperous Year of the Sheep and to continuing to assist our existing members and to further enhancing the profile of the ICBA.
The Ireland China Journal | 7
President Michael D. Higgins
A Fruitful State Visit President Michael D. Higgins made his State Visit to China in December, the first by a President of Ireland in 11 years. The Ireland China Journal looks back at the highlights. Photos courtesy of Shane O’Neill / Fennell Photography
President Michael D. Higgins’s week-long State Visit to China in December followed the historic visit by the now President Xi Jinping to Ireland and Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s visit to China three years ago. Aimed at deepening the political, cultural, business, scientific and educational relationships between the two countries, the President was accompanied on the three-city visit to Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou, by his wife Sabina Higgins; the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, T.D.; and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charles Flanagan, T.D. The invitation for the President to make this visit as Head of State was extended by President Xi Jinping; the last State visit to China was by President McAleese in 2003. 8 | The Ireland China Journal
During the visit the President had separate meetings with the President of China, Xi Jinping; the Prime Minister, Li Keqiang and the Chairman of the National People’s Congress, Zhang Dejiang. From meetings with the country’s top leaders to praise for the 91 Irish companies with an established permanent presence in China, agriculture and food were among the major themes in the President’s speeches. He attended events organised by leading agencies in conjunction with the visit, including Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, IDA, Tourism Ireland, Culture Ireland, the Science Foundation of Ireland, the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland and representatives from Ireland’s university sector.
President Michael D. Higgins
After the rendering of full Military Honours at Áras an Uachtaráin, to commence the State visit, on December 6, the President departed for Beijing. On arrival, the President was met by the Irish Ambassador to China, Paul Kavanagh. On December 8 the President visited the Great Wall and later the Ullens Centre for Contemporary Arts in the 798 Art District. The President opened and spoke at an exhibition organised by the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland, who are currently organising ‘Irish Design 2015’. Later that evening the President attended a concert by Irish artists, including Sharon Shannon and the poet Paula Meehan, at the Concert Hall in the Forbidden City. “It was inspiring to witness the natural synergies between our music and dance traditions and the enthusiastic reaction of the audience,” he said. The following morning, President Higgins delivered a speech at a Business Breakfast hosted by the IDA and Enterprise Ireland in Beijing, in which he pointed out that export growth has been an important driver of Ireland’s economic recovery. “Indeed Irish export levels are now at an all-time high; they are in fact significantly higher than their pre-crisis peak in 2007.
This reflects Ireland’s connectedness to its many partners in the global economy, and it also points to the great potential there is for expanding and deepening our international connections.” He saluted the representatives of the 91 Irish companies who now have an established permanent presence in China, who attended the event, adding that on average, one new Irish company establishes a permanent foothold each month in China. “No examination of the commercial relationship between Ireland and China would be complete without reference to our island’s oldest and most important indigenous industry: agriculture and food,” he said. He later attended a Science and Technology joint event organised by the Science Foundation of Ireland and the Chinese Academy of Science. During his speech, President Higgins said the call by President Xi Jinping for China’s economy of the future to be based on “innovation, innovation, innovation” resonates with Ireland’s own National Strategy. “In this we are reflecting our shared belief in the possibilities that the innate inventiveness and creativity of the Chinese and Irish peoples can offer.” The Ireland China Journal | 9
President Michael D. Higgins
Last year Professor Jun Xia, from Wuhan University, received the International Hydrology Prize-Volker Medal at the Dooge-Nash International Hydrology Conference in Dublin. “This prize is named after Irish scientists Professor Jim Dooge and Professor Eamon Nash who established the key role of hydrology in many critical, global issues relating to environment, ethics, food, energy and the developing world. It is a reminder of the long connection between our two nations in the field of science and innovation, and of how that relationship continues today,” President Higgins said. Bell’s Theorem, Boyle’s Law, the development of fibre optics in communication, the splitting of the atom, the Beaufort Scale, and many other landmarks in the expansion of scientific knowledge owe their success to the innovation and originality of talented Irish scientists, he said. 10 | The Ireland China Journal
President Higgins gave the example of how George Boole, who was born in England but was appointed as the first professor of mathematics at University College Cork, invented a system of algebra which is fundamental to digital logic, binary notation, and computer programming. Boole has a profound connection to the Republic of China, he explained. His great-granddaughter, Joan Hinton, was a physicist who moved to China in 1948, working with Song Qingling and becoming one of the People’s Republic of China’s first foreign citizens of foreign origin. “As a nation which leads in the manufacture of electronics, the audience here in Beijing may also be interested to hear that the first zinc-nickel battery was developed by an Irish chemist, Dr. James J. Drumm, who is also considered the father of seismology,” he said. That afternoon the President and his wife Sabina Higgins were greeted by President XI Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan at the Great Hall of the People. After a ceremonial greeting in the North Hall, President Higgins engaged in official talks with President Xi Jinping. Both Presidents witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between NUIG and Tsinghua University, to collaborate on both education and research activities. Both national Presidents have links to the universities as President Higgins is an alumnus of NUI Galway, while President Xi graduated from Tsinghua University. The agreement follows on from existing close ties between the universities. In research, a significant three-year EU project on cancer biomarkers led by NUI Galway, with Tsinghua University as a partner, has just come to completion. Later that evening the President and Sabina Higgins attended a state dinner in his honour, hosted by the President XI Jinping and Madame Peng. On the morning of December 10, President Higgins paid a visit to the Research and Development Centre at Huawei, one of China’s leading
President Michael D. Higgins
information technology companies. Later that day he had an official meeting with the Prime Minister, Li Keqiang in the Great Hall of the People. Afterwards he attended a separate meeting with the Chairman of the National People’s Congress, Zhang Dejiang. When they met for talks, President Higgins extended an invitation to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to make a return visit to Ireland, which he accepted. It would be the second time President Xi has visited Ireland, following his previous trip to the country in 2012 when he was vice president. During his speech at a Reception for the Irish Community of Beijing at the Embassy of Ireland, Beijing, that evening President Higgins thanked the Ambassador Paul Kavanagh and his wife Rosemary, for “the warmth of the welcome that they have extended to us.” For almost all of the thirty-five years since Ireland and China established diplomatic relations, this Embassy has served as the principal platform from which Ireland’s links with China
We now have the opportunity to visit each other drawing on a knowledge of language, history and culture in the widest sense. have been continually projected and developed – in the political, economic and commercial as well as cultural domains, he said. “Indeed, it is difficult to believe that when this Embassy was founded the Irish community in mainland China numbered just two people. Thirty five years later that Irish community is a large and thriving one and includes the many Irish community, sporting, and social organisations which have been established here in recent years.” President Higgins said that in in Beijing he was reminded of “why Ireland is so fortunate in having a diaspora that represents us so well in countries across the globe. Our Irish community in China have been instrumental in the construction of a warm, close, collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship between our two countries; you, along with your Chinese partners and your Irish colleagues at home have been key to a sixteen hundred fold increase in two-way trade between China and Ireland since 1979.” The Ireland China Journal | 11
President Michael D. Higgins
“You are playing a vital role in the more than 150 partnerships between Irish and Chinese higher institutes of education, and in the 60 bilateral research and development partnerships that exist between our nations. Who would have thought all those years ago that there would be a Feis Ceoil in Shanghai or that Dalian Wolfhounds, Shenzhen Celts and Suzhou Eire Og would be vying with Beijing GAA for glory in the All-China Games?” Ireland, as the sole English-language country within both the European Union and the Euro zone single currency area, is the perfect partner for Chinese corporations “Going Global in Europe”, while the new China-Ireland Technology Growth Fund is both bringing capital and market access to growing Irish companies, and providing technology and collaboration to Chinese counterparts, he said. On December 11 the President departed Beijing for Shanghai, where he was greeted by the Irish Consul General, Austin Gormley. The same day he attended an Irish Food Promotional Lunch hosted by Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland. During his speech at the lunch, President Higgins said he came to 12 | The Ireland China Journal
China with “a clear appreciation that farming and sustainable food production is as important an issue on the agenda of China as it is on Ireland’s,” and referred to the vital role played by family farms in ensuring global food security, “producing, according to the FAO’s latest figures, more than 80% of the world’s food in value terms.” President Higgins spoke to an audience of over 120 government officials, key importers, distributors, retailers and professionals from the food and beverage industry in China. The specially prepared lunch would, he said, provide Chinese guests with the opportunity to explore Ireland’s strengths as a food-producing island and facilitate important conversations “which would be informed by perhaps the most important question facing the world today – how we can meet our current resource needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs”. The lunch menu included Irish salmon and specially prepared Kerrygold cheese as well as a range of farmhouse cheeses and handmade chocolates. Ireland’s Food industry was strongly represented at the event by major beef, pork, dairy
President Michael D. Higgins
and seafood sectors, including ABP, Rosderra, Jade, Kerry Plc and Glanbia. Aidan Cotter, CEO of Bord Bia outlined the considerable progress in Ireland’s exports to China. “Irish food and drink exports have more than doubled over the last three years reaching over €400m, it is our second largest market for dairy products, out third largest for pork and our seafood sector is now also well established as a premium supplier particularly in the shellfish sector”. Last year, an inspection team from China’s Certification and Accreditation’s Authority, CNCA, visited Ireland to ensure standards are in full compliance with China’s new food safety laws. President Higgins said he was “pleased to say that our agri-food industry received 100% approval, adding to the existing global recognition of Ireland’s high food production standards. This was, once again, corroborated by an international report published last month, which ranks Ireland and Canada in joint first place for food safety among 16 OECD countries.” Those standards and that commitment to producing safe, clean and sustainable food has, since 2012, found expression in a new and promising way through the so-called “Origin Green” scheme, a national programme designed to strengthen Ireland’s position in the area of sustainable food production. Initiatives such as Origin Green have positive effects well beyond the national boundaries within which they are implemented, President Higgins said. “Indeed, because of the global nature of so many food manufacturing chains, it is crucial to find ways of enabling our partners abroad to establish the traceability and sustainability credentials of their Irish suppliers. Thus, as Ireland’s partnership with Chinese food companies grows, such initiatives are an important part of our commitment to provide good and healthy food, not just to the Irish, but also to your people.” The strategic agri-food partnership
between Ireland and China will greatly benefit from the expertise of Ireland’s world class food technology companies, in areas such as nutrient animal feed, the enhancement crop yields in cold, northern environments, or the advancement of software for the management, preservation and distribution of fresh food, President Higgins believes. Later that day, President Higgins spoke at a Tourism Promotional Event hosted by Tourism Ireland, for members of the Chinese media and tourism industry. During his speech, President Higgins said Ireland and China are “both ancient civilisations stretching back over five thousand years. Both our cultures vest great importance in family and in extending warm hospitality to guests.” The President said Ireland was particularly delighted to be selected in 2014 as the destination which offered the most potential for Chinese tourists at the annual Best Destination Awards here in China. On accepting the award in Shanghai, Tourism Ireland had stated its commitment to increasing the number of Chinese tourists to Ireland to 50,000 per year, over the next five years, from a figure of 17,000 in 2012. That is a great indication of the increasing and deepening connection that is building between our two nations, he said. The British-Irish Visa Scheme will greatly facilitate visits to our shores, and the President hopes it will encourage more Chinese citizens to visit. “What is means is that from now on, Chinese travellers with a short-stay visa from either country can visit both the United Kingdom and Ireland on a single visa, making travel easier and more attractive than ever.” “With more and more students travelling in both directions, with Mandarin being taught not only in universities and in technological institutes but also in second level schools, we now have the opportunity to visit each other drawing on a knowledge of language, history and culture in the widest sense,” the President commented. The Ireland China Journal | 13
President Michael D. Higgins
The President also visited the former residence of Sun Yat Sen, the first President and founding father of the Republic of China. George Bernard Shaw visited the residence in 1933. Later that evening, the President met with members of the Irish Community in Shanghai. President Higgins said that like all first-time visitors, he was “very struck by the vibrancy and dramatic scale of Shanghai. This city is truly a window on China for the rest of the world; it is one of the great urban incubators of our contemporary globalisation, to which the citizens of so many countries and from all continents converge to live, work, trade, study, or simply watch in amazement.” The Chinese community is one of the largest migrants’ groups in Ireland, he said, and “one who greatly contributes to enriching contemporary Irish life, and I do not need to remind this particular audience of how China, and this city in particular, is home to a very dynamic Irish community,” he said. He saluted the achievements of organisations such as Le Chéile, the GAA, the Shanghai Ireland Association for the St. Patrick’s Ball, and the Irish Chamber of Commerce.” “All of these groups play an important role in giving life to Irish culture in these Eastern lands, and in providing appropriate support to the individuals, families, and businesses who are willing to establish themselves in Shanghai, whether temporarily or on a long-term basis.” On December 12, the President delivered a keynote address and took questions from students at Shanghai’s Fudan University, one of China’s oldest and most prestigious Universities. He also witnessed the signing of two agreements between the university and Trinity College, Dublin. In his address ‘Meeting Global Challenges with a Revitalised Multilateral System’ at Fudan University, the President discussed the long history of cultural engagement of the Irish with China, which predates the establishment of formal diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, in 1979. 14 | The Ireland China Journal
President Higgins noted it was an Irishman, Augustine Henry, who greatly expanded Europeans’ knowledge of China’s flora by sending back to Europe thousands of dry specimens and seeds in the late 19th century. Augustine Henry’s knowledge of botany and medicinal plants was recognised in China, when one of the buildings of the Fan Memorial Institute of Biology was named in his honour. Irish people had an early account in their own language of one of the first documented interactions between Europe and China, he said, when Marco Polo’s chronicles of his travels to Khubilai Khan’s court at Beijing, in the late 1200s, were translated into the Irish language within a century, about a hundred and fifty years before they were translated into English. With the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries, in 1979, the reciprocal friendship between the Irish and the Chinese has gone from strength to strength he said. “Our relationships have widened and deepened through productive and mutually beneficial cooperation, through academic, cultural and commercial exchanges, and through that multitude of encounters which our mobile and globalised world fosters between Chinese and Irish people.” Ireland’s and China’s collective experiences resonate in other ways too, he said. “Here are two peoples who, at several points in their respective histories, have been required to modernise in response to change. Ireland, for example, was forced to embrace a new language – English – which it went on to mould to its own creative purposes, as is evidenced in the work of W.B. Yeats, Oscar Wilde, James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw, Samuel Beckett, Seamus Heaney and so many others.” “China also modernised many times throughout its history, and the Chinese people know that there is no single model of modernisation, despite the scholarly pretentions of, for example, the Princeton studies of the 1960s. Then, too, within the short
President Michael D. Higgins
period of little more than a generation, China and Ireland have stepped out of several decades of relative economic isolationism to a globalised world of trade. Both of our peoples have swiftly shifted from a predominantly rural way of life to an urban-based economy, driven by industry and increasingly, in more recent times, services.� Later the President had an official meeting and was the guest of honour at a lunch hosted by the Mayor of Shanghai. In the afternoon the President travelled by bullet train from Shanghai to the third city involved in the state visit, Hangzhou. He visited one of China’s leading international companies, Alibaba, where he had a meeting with its founder and Executive Chairman, Jack Ma. On December 13, the President visited the Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou, which dates back to 328AD. Later he took a Bronze Dragon Boat trip on the West Lake. The next morning he visited a Tea Plantation, returning to Shanghai by bullet train. Later, in Shanghai, he visited the city’s Urban Planning Museum.
On December 15, President Higgins returned to Dublin, after a memorable visit that should prove a significant achievement in building relationships between Ireland and China, as well as a platform of goodwill for the Irish community in China. The Ireland China Journal | 15
Pat Breen
TD Pat Breen Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade with Chinese President Xi Jinping
A Welcome Arrival Pat Breen TD, Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, tells Lynne Nolan how the recently-launched British Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS) will benefit Chinese visitors to Ireland. Over the past few years there has been increasing cooperation between the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of the Department of Justice and Equality in Ireland and counterparts in the UK Home Office in relation to the operation of what is known as the Common Travel Area (CTA) between the two countries, explains Pat Breen TD, Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade. This involves practical cooperation at operational level including sharing of data across a number of immigration related areas. It also led to the introduction of the Irish Short-stay Visa Waiver Programme which allows for short-term visitors to the UK from certain countries to come to Ireland without the need for a second (Irish) Visa. This scheme, which was launched by the Taoiseach and Tánaiste in July 2011, has proved to be very successful with the number of visitors from the countries involved increasing by 68 % from 2010 to 2013, he says. Building on the success of the Visa Waiver Programme, INIS commenced detailed discussions 16 | The Ireland China Journal
with the UK Home Office to extend the scope of the Waiver Programme so that a visitor to either Ireland or the UK will require only one visa (either an Irish or UK one depending on their first country of landing). In the context of the CTA this is an historic development with the aim of making it easier for visitors to come to visit Ireland thus promoting economic activity and increases in tourist numbers. The new scheme is known as the British Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS) and was launched in China in October of this year.
Expected Benefits
According to Mr Breen, the new Scheme is designed to have various benefits, such as extending the scope of the existing Waiver in a number of ways. “For the first time it will be reciprocal with the UK so that an Irish Visa holder can travel from Ireland to the UK, including Northern Ireland, without the need for a separate UK visa. This provides flexibility for travellers planning their itinerary.” It is also planned that the scheme will operate worldwide.
Pat Breen
The scheme is also particularly relevant for marketing of the all-island Tourism product by Tourism Ireland, Mr Breen explains. For example, previously a visa required visitor to Ireland, who wished to travel to, say, Belfast and then return to Dublin, required the following documents: an Irish Visa to travel to Ireland; a UK Visa to visit Northern Ireland; and a second Irish Visa to come back to Dublin. Under the new Scheme, a single Irish Visa is all that will be required. The arrangements are a concrete manifestation of the Good Friday Agreement in operation and the normalisation of relations between the two Governments and on the island of Ireland itself. “From a Tourism Ireland perspective, as well as enabling easier movement for visitors within the island of Ireland, the Scheme also opens up marketing opportunities to develop products that involve both Ireland and the UK – such as organised holiday packages, particularly from the growing markets of China and India,” Mr Breen comments. Joint promotions by Tourism Ireland and their partner body in the UK - Visit Britain – have already taken place, he says. The British Irish Visa Scheme should boost tourism and business travel considerably, Mr Breen believes. A Tourism Ireland survey of Chinese travellers indicates that 81% of Chinese cited ease and speed of visa process as important. In addition, while there are currently no direct flights between China and Ireland, there are many good and frequent airline connections via the UK. It is also expected, Breen adds, that business people, who would have business interests in both Ireland and the UK will find this a very useful innovation. Asked how valuable Chinese visitors are to the Irish economy and the expected response from the Chinese market to this visa, Mr Breen comments that “China is an important emerging travel market with outbound tourist numbers estimated to reach 200 million by 2020 (UNWTO, 4 April 2013). Tourism Ireland estimates that approximately 30,000 - 40,000 Chinese visitors came to the island of Ireland in 2013, representing a significant and continued growth over previous years.”
Making travel easier
The new scheme means that Chinese travellers with a short-stay visa from either country can visit both the United Kingdom and Ireland on a single visa, making it easier and more attractive for visitors. Heretofore, Chinese visitors would have had to apply for Visas for both jurisdictions.
For the first time it will be reciprocal with the UK so that an Irish Visa holder can travel from Ireland to the UK, including Northern Ireland, without the need for a separate UK visa. “Chinese holidaymakers will also benefit from an increase in the number of visa application centres in 12 Chinese cities, making the visa application process more accessible to even more potential visitors from different regions in China.” The previous Visa Waiver Programme – and Tourism Ireland’s promotion of same – impacted very positively on tourism performance from new markets. The 12 month period (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014) showed an increase of 57% in visit numbers from Visa Waiver countries when compared with the 12 month period immediately prior to the introduction of the Visa Waiver Scheme (1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011).
Boosting the wider economy
Tourism is one of Ireland’s most important economic sectors and has a significant role in Ireland’s economic renewal, Mr Breen states. In 2013, tourism was responsible for overseas earnings of €3.3 billion (excluding carrier receipts – airfares and ferry costs). It supports 137,000 jobs in the accommodation and food sector alone, and it is estimated that tourism supports in the region of 200,000 jobs overall, he adds. “We have set ambitious targets for further growth in the tourism sector in the period to 2025 and growing visitor numbers from emerging markets like China will be an important element in ensuring that this growth is achieved.”
Extension to India
“It is intended to extend the Scheme to India early in the New Year and, following a formal joint review of the Scheme in March 2015, worldwide by the end of the year,” Mr Breen reveals.
Sharing of Visa Application Centres
The sharing of Visa Application Centres operated by commercial partners is an integral part of the Scheme and is already in place in China. This co-operation will be rolled out as the Scheme itself is rolled out to other countries. The Ireland China Journal | 17
Bank Of Ireland
Chen Tian, Assistant Director and Derek Collins, Head of Global FDI with Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking
Building long-term trust Chen 2013
Many Irish companies have tailored their services to support the increasing Chinese investment in Ireland, with some notable success stories. In recent years, Bank of Ireland has attracted almost all the Chinese companies investing in Ireland. The Ireland China Journal caught up with Chen Tian from Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking to find out why. What is your own role with Bank of Ireland; what does it involve with regards to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)? Having worked in Bank of Ireland for over 10 years now, I am an Assistant Director with the FDI team at Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking. Our team specialises in assisting global companies setting up operations in Ireland. For years now, our team has had a particular focus on supporting Chinese companies setting up an Irish base to reach that wider European market of over 500 million people. Our team has vast experience
18 | The Ireland China Journal
in hand-holding Chinese companies with their set up and banking needs and we have a specialised process to facilitate their documentation and other requirements. As a result, my role requires a good understanding of the different corporate holding company structures, special purchase vehicles, business cultures and marketing supports available. In addition, we utilise our strong network of business contacts across the Sino-Irish business community to support Chinese companies considering Ireland as a European base.
Bank Of Ireland
Why have a large proportion of international companies setting up in Ireland in recent years chosen Bank of Ireland? Bank of Ireland is a full service bank that offers a comprehensive service to inward investment clients. Most importantly, it has a strong local network and experience that overseas investors find helpful. For many Chinese clients, this will be their first investment outside of China. For this reason, Chinese companies tend to be cautious and usually take more time to make decisions. As a result, they are keen to find trustworthy business partners, who understand the Chinese approach to business. Bank of Ireland is in tune with the Chinese business audience and we take a very long-term relationship approach with our Chinese clients. We already have very good correspondent banking relationships with all of the top banks in China, which allows us to look after Chinese clients’ banking needs in a co-ordinated way. Here in Ireland, we also have a dedicated Chinese-focused team that engages with Chinese clients for all of their banking needs. We’re typically involved with clients at the early stages, providing a local resource that can advise based on our experience and our strong network on the ground. We know that establishing trust is important with Chinese clients. It’s no surprise then that Bank of Ireland works with almost all of the Chinese companies who have set up operations in Ireland. For over 35 years, international companies operating in Ireland have chosen Bank of Ireland to provide banking services. How have you promoted the bank’s services and Ireland as an ideal location for international companies to establish their European presence? The global FDI landscape is competitive but Ireland punches well above its weight in the field. Ireland is the only Englishspeaking country in the Eurozone, which is a crucial attraction for Chinese business when considering a location for a European operation. Furthermore, Ireland is now one of the most dominant hubs for global businesses setting up their EMEA headquarters.
“Chinese companies are keen to find business partners, who understand the Chinese approach to business.” Another consideration is the large base of professional Chinese nationals in Ireland, most of whom have come through the well-regarded Irish education system. These native speakers, who offer a combination of local knowledge and networks that Chinese companies require, cannot be underestimated. Bank of Ireland recognised the importance of this early on and hired many Chinese nationals. Why do you believe Ireland is the leading global location for sectors like aviation leasing and which sectors hold most potential from an FDI perspective? Ireland is a global hub for the aviation leasing sector, with most of the major global names having a presence here. This is due, in no small part, to Ireland’s key assets in this sector including favourable tax rates and tax treaty network, access to European markets and the strong Irish talent and knowledge base. Because of the concentration of aviation-related businesses in Ireland, a number of high level annual aviation leasing seminars are now hosted here. Aviation related companies from around the world join together to network and explore opportunities at these global flagship events. It’s not restricted to aviation, however, as Ireland is now a growing global centre for the pharmaceuticals, medtech and gaming sectors. The Ireland China Journal | 19
Bank Of Ireland
An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD, the head of the Irish Government, with Chen Tian and Derek Collins at the recent Ireland China Business Association Annual Dinner
From an inward investment perspective, many other sectors show promise. Among others, the ICT, Wind Energy, Food/Agri and Financial Services sectors have significant potential. With the concentration of expertise and major regional clusters of businesses, Ireland offers key advantages in these and many other sectors. Ireland has established a solid reputation for dynamism in several such fields. The Web Summit in Dublin for example, attracts a large number of global ICT companies to showcase their business, inspire and explore business partners. For sectors like Manufacturing or Pharmaceuticals, the use of Ireland as an international platform can be a key selling point. Companies in these sectors in particular can leverage from the “Made in Ireland/EU” brand, which sets them apart as a premium brand. With over 1,000 international companies here, Ireland continues to be one of the most favoured global locations for investment. What are some of its key attractions as an investment location? There are certain key factors companies consider when deciding where to establish an overseas operation. The overall business environment and access to the European market are obviously important. But the reputation, probusiness attitude of the host government, 20 | The Ireland China Journal
availability of talent, language and travel convenience are also very important factors in making the decision. Two Government agencies, IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, provide huge support to Chinese companies when setting up in Europe using Ireland as a gateway. Like their American and European counterparts, Chinese companies looking to expand overseas need local resources and the availability of trustworthy contacts. In fact, Ireland was named a top ranking destination for ‘added value’ of FDI investment projects in the IBM 2014 Global Location Trends report. Ireland has a world class education system supplying creative, professional and hard-working graduates with the business acumen to fulfil the human resource requirements for companies investing here. This pool is complemented by talent from across the EU, with other EU citizens migrating to Ireland as a result of the high quality of FDI employment opportunities here. Access to Ireland is also superb. Ireland’s airports provide air links to all the major tier 1 European cities as well as all tier 2 European cities. Ireland also has direct flights to many destinations across the Middle East and North America with efficient onward connections to Asia, Australia and Africa. In addition, travellers from Ireland to the US enjoy US border preclearance before departure. Ireland’s ports are also growing year after year. Ireland is also a beautiful country to visit. With a long and attractive coastline, Ireland is a major tourist attraction. It enjoys clean air, green grass, quality food, stable temperatures, and is a world-class destination for golf, beautiful scenery, excellent fishing as well as premium and outlet shopping. It’s unsurprising then that it’s a popular event destination as well. Ireland is also a very nice place to live – a place where you can enjoy vibrant city or relaxed countryside living. This mix, as well as the young, diverse and cosmopolitan population, means that many company directors relocating here find the work-life balance particularly enjoyable.
Bank Of Ireland
为了更好地为来自中国日益增多的赴爱尔兰的 投资企业进行服务，许多爱尔兰公司定制了相 应的服务，其中有很多成功的例子。最近几 年，爱尔兰银行成为几乎所有对爱投资的中国 公司的不二之选。我们请来自爱尔兰银行企业 合作部的田琛先生介绍其中的原因。 您在爱尔兰银行担任什么职位,与外国直接投资 （FDI ）有什么联系？ 我在爱尔兰银行工作已过10年，现任爱尔兰银 行企业合作部海外直投(FDI)团队的助理董事。 我们的团队致力于为全球企业在爱尔兰设立运 营机构提供帮助。多年来，我们的团队重点服 务于中国企业在爱尔兰设立基地，以进入超过 5亿人的欧洲市场。我们的团队会手把手的帮助 中国企业建立银行业务架构，在此方面具有非 常丰富的经验。我们还设计了专门的流程以协 助客户的文件以及其他的合规需求。因此，我 们需要深入了解不同的企业控股结构、特殊目 的公司SPV信息、企业文化以及市场营销理念。 此外，我们还以强大的中爱的商务联系网络为 考虑在爱尔兰建立欧洲基地的中国企业提供最 大的支持。 为什么最近几年有相当高比例的国际公司设立 在爱尔兰的时候选择爱尔兰银行？这之中有多 少是来自中国，你们与来自中国的企业合作的 计划是什么？ 爱尔兰银行是一家为海外直投客户提供全方位 服务的银行。最重要的是，它有广大的本地网 络和丰富的经验，这对海外投资者有非常大的 帮助。对于很多中国客户而言，很多海外投资 可能是他们在中国以外的第一笔投资。鉴于这 个原因，中国企业往往非常谨慎，通常需要更 多的时间来做出决策。因此，他们都倾向于寻 找了解中国企业经营之道的，并且值得信赖的 机构作为合作伙伴。 爱尔兰银行的客户运作模式与中国企业做事方 法类似，我们致力于与客户保持长期合作。由 于国内所有主要银行都是我们的代理行，这也 我们能够协同合作，以满足中国客户的跨境银 行业务需求。在爱尔兰，我们有一个专门面向 中国企业的团队，为中国客户提供全方位的银 行服务。我们通常会与客户在很早期就开始进 行紧密的联系，凭借我们的经验和我们在本地 强大的网络为客户提供资源。因为我们深知， 建立互信对于中国客户是至关重要的， 所以爱 尔兰银行与几乎所有在爱尔兰已经建立业务的 中国企业间都有合作也并不出奇。 在这35年间，在爱尔兰的跨国公司一直选择爱 尔兰银行提供银行服务。您如何推广银行业务 以及爱尔兰作为国际公司或欧洲业务平台理想 地点？ 全球海外直投(FDI)格局竞争激烈，然而爱尔兰 在该领域的表现突出。爱尔兰是欧元区唯一讲
英语的国家，这是中国企业考虑选择欧洲经营 场所的重要吸引点。此外，爱尔兰现在是全球 企业设立EMEA（欧洲、中东、非洲地区）总部 最有优势的中心之一。 另一个考虑因素是爱尔兰拥有大量的中国精英 人才。他们大多数人是通过世界公认的爱尔兰 教育体制成长起来的。这些具有中文母语优势 的人才，融合了当地知识和网络，对中国企业 而言具有不可低估的重要性。爱尔兰银行很早 就认识到这一点，并且雇佣了许多中国员工。 您如何看待对于航空租赁行业来说，爱尔兰是 全球领先的落脚点？从海外直投(FDI) 角度来 说，还有哪些行业最有潜力？ 爱尔兰是航空租赁业的全球业务中心，这里 有绝大多数国际公司的身影。很大程度上来 讲，这是由于爱尔兰在这一领域所具有的关键 优势，其中包括优惠的税率、双边税务协定网 络，属于欧洲市场的一部分以及充足的爱尔兰 人才与智库。由于在爱尔兰航空相关企业的集 中，很多大型飞机租赁年会也在这里举办。在 这些全球旗舰活动中，来自世界各地的航空相 关企业相互建立了联系和探索的机会。然而， 这种机会不仅限于航空行业，爱尔兰也日益成 为制药、医疗技术和游戏行业的全球业务中 心。 从对爱投资的角度来看，许多其他行业呈现潜 力。信息和通信技术、风能、农业及食品行 业，以及金融服务业等都具有巨大的潜力。随 着许多专业技术和企业基地的集中，爱尔兰也 为这些行业以及许多其他行业提供了优势。比 如，在都柏林举办的网络峰会，吸引了大量的 国际通信技术企业在此召开展会，寻求合作伙 伴和投资机会。
The Ireland China Journal | 21
Bank Of Ireland
What makes us different? We bring you closer to the European market
In 2013, over 70%* of international companies setting up in Ireland chose to work with Bank of Ireland. We are proud to partner with Chinese businesses investing in Ireland. Our Corporate Banking team would welcome the opportunity to show you how our services can be tailored to exceed your expectations. To learn more from Ireland’s No.1** Corporate Bank, please call:
www.bankofireland.com/corporate * Bank of Ireland analysis of publically available information in relation to FDI companies established in ROI, 2013. ** Bank of Ireland analysis of independent industry statistics 2013. Bank of Ireland is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
22 | The Ireland China Journal
Corporate Banking
Bank Of Ireland Chen Tian, Assistant Director and Derek Collins, Head of Global FDI with Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking
对于制造业或制药业来说，将爱尔兰作为一个 国际平台可以成为一个关键卖点。这些行业的 企业可以受益于 “爱尔兰/欧盟制造”的标 志，使它们成为更高端品牌。 这里有超过1000家国际公司，爱尔兰持续成为世 界最受欢迎的投资地之一，把这里作为投资地点 的主要吸引力是什么？ 一家企业在决定选择建立一个海外经营基地时会 考虑一些关键因素。整体商业环境和欧洲整个市 场对这些决定至关重要。然而良好的声誉、东道 国政府的亲商态度、人才资源、语言和商旅的便 利性也是做决定的重要因素。和欧美同行一样， 中国企业寻求海外扩张时需要当地的资源和可靠 的合作伙伴。也正因如此，爱尔兰在“IBM 2014 Global Location Trends”报告里被评为海外直 接投资(FDI)项目最具“附加值”的目的地。 爱尔兰拥有世界一流的教育体系，提供创新、专 业、勤奋并且具有商业思维的毕业生，能够满足 在爱投资企业的人力资源需求。这一人才聚集地 在欧盟地区是备受好评的，高质量的海外直接投 (FDI)公司所带来的就业机会也吸引了众多其他 欧盟国家的人才来到爱尔兰寻求机遇。
到爱尔兰的交通也是极为方便的。爱尔兰机场 的航线连接所有欧洲主要一级与二级城市。爱 尔兰也有通往到中东和北美多地的直航航线， 并且还能高效连接至亚洲、澳大利亚和非洲。 此外，旅客从爱尔兰到美国可以享受起飞前美 国边境入境预先检查的政策，为旅美乘客提供 方便。爱尔兰的港口载运量也在逐年增长。 爱尔兰还是一个美丽的旅游国家。这里有漫长 而优美的海岸线，她是一个著名的旅游胜地。 她拥有清新的空气、绿色的草地、优质的食 品，温和的气候、世界一流的高尔夫球场、优 美的风景，顶级的垂钓设施，名品以及奥特莱 斯购物场所。所以这里同时是一个极受欢迎的 商务活动场所。 爱尔兰还是一个非常适宜居住的地方——在这 里您可以享受城市生活的生机或田园生活的惬 意。这种年轻化、多元化和国际化的人口比例 吸引了很多公司的董事在此落户，使之达到了 工作生活的平衡与愉悦。
The Ireland China Journal | 23
IDA
Natural Partners The world leader in aircraft leasing, Ireland is open for more business for China, IDA Ireland’s Head of Growth Markets & IT Eileen Sharpe tells Lynne Nolan. What is your role and background with IDA Ireland? I am a member of IDA’s Executive Leadership team and I have been working for the organisation for 14 years. My current role includes responsibility for our Growth Markets Division and I have had a keen interest in and affection for China for many years, having lived and worked in the Far East for over 10 years. What have IDA Ireland’s achievements been in recent years in terms of encouraging FDI and job creation, particularly from China? Over recent years Ireland and China have grown closer as partners in business and investment. For example, the Chinese global giant Huawei has three different operations in Ireland. They employ a lot of Irish people in China as well as Ireland and the company is well connected into our university network. 24 | The Ireland China Journal
Our CEO Martin Shanahan visited China recently with Ireland’s President, Michael D Higgins. The links between Government and business are very strong in Ireland and our Minister for Jobs, Mr Richard Bruton has a strong interest in China. He visits China twice a year, most recently in July. A whole range of powerful and worldleading Chinese companies, including ICBC, China Development Bank, Tencent and Satir, have operations in Ireland and we are privileged to work with them as they grow internationally. Huawei, the world’s largest manufacturer of telecommunications equipment, operates both sales and R&D operations in Ireland, where it has three sites. Ireland now hosts 5 of the top 6 Chinese banks by asset value; Chinese aircraft lessors manage approximately 500 aircraft from Ireland. Ireland now has a 63% share in the market for the international leasing headquarters of the top 10 Chinese banks. However, a key focus for IDA is to broaden
IDA
its geographical reach and make sure Ireland has exposure to high growth and dynamic economies like China. We want to work, in partnership with China, and to share in its success. But of course we want to grow the partnership further, but that involves being as relevant as possible to what Chinese companies are looking for when they expand beyond China and particularly into Europe. How important will China and the rest of Asia be for IDA Ireland in encouraging FDI in the future, what are the key sectors you’re looking at? Ireland has been very successful in attracting investment from North America and from Europe, and we want to emulate that now and attract more investment from China. We have had some success; we have had some of the larger names investing in Ireland. We’ve had companies like Huawei, ICBC, Tencent and China Development Bank who have invested in Ireland, and we’re delighted with that. And we’re open for more business from China. One sector that has caught Chinese attention is aircraft leasing — an industry in which Ireland is the world leader. The Chinese aviation market is one of the fastest growing in the world and it is a key sector within China’s financial services industry. Ireland is a great location for aircraft leasing and the fact that three of China’s largest leasing companies have set up operations in Ireland is testament to this. We aim to work closely with these three strategically important financial institutions as their operations develop in Ireland in coming years. Much of the inward investment Ireland secured in recent years has been innovationdriven, technologically advanced and with the highest calibre of employment creation. How has IDA Ireland looked at attracting investment and jobs from China to Ireland, what are your future plans or objectives for the same? China is a key target market for IDA Ireland and, to support its efforts to promote increased investment and trade connections between Ireland and China, IDA opened an office in Beijing in 2013, focusing on financial services. This follows previous office
Eileen Sharpe
Ireland now has a 63% share in the market for the international leasing headquarters of the top 10 Chinese banks. openings in Shenzhen in 2010 and Shanghai in 2005. IDA is utterly committed to building true scale in China and the current IDA strategy Horizon 2020 contains a commitment that 20% of all Greenfield investments will originate from emerging markets by the end of 2014. A new IDA strategy, currently in preparation, will take a fresh look at these targets and in particular the China market, which will be a key growth market into the future for Ireland. Links between the two countries are very strong, and particularly notable was 2012’s trip to Ireland by President Xi Jinping (at the time vicepresident). The recent visit of President D Higgins to China further cemented ties between the two countries and President Higgins, along with IDA’s CEO met with leading Chinese companies as well as providing a marketing opportunity for Ireland to showcase itself to the Chinese media. IDA is already highly active in the marketing of Ireland in China, with its own Sina Weibo social media microblogging site and regular appearances in the Chinese media, promoting Ireland as an investment location. The Ireland China Journal | 25
IDA
How have the opening of offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen helped in promoting Ireland there as a place to do business and attracting the financial services sector? China is a key target market for IDA Ireland and the opening of new offices is a reflection of the different sectors being targeted and the focus we have as an organisation on this dynamic economy. A key part of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs is targeting key growth markets where we have the potential to deliver large increases in exports and multinational investment in the coming years. Clearly China is a key part of that, and that is why Ministerial-led missions have taken place with more to come. That is also why we are delivering on our commitments on the ground with the opening of a third office as well as increasing people on the ground through our Winning Abroad Initiative. During these missions we get to meet the biggest financial services institutions in the world and the agreements signed with major Chinese Government bodies show the potential that exists for investment and jobs for Ireland in this sector. What makes Ireland an attractive place to do business for Chinese companies, and how is Ireland being promoted in China? 26 | The Ireland China Journal
Ireland wants and welcomes strong business and investment links with China. Ireland values the global significance of Chinese investment and we want to be a part of this success, working as long-term partners with Chinese companies. Ireland as a country has many attributes appealing to Chinese people; it is a safe, secure and welcoming place, with a good environment, clean air and a pro-business culture and stable government where the value of hard work, like in China, is recognised. Ireland is also the fastest growing economy in Europe, with inward investment playing a significant part in this growth performance. That inward investment, plus the work done by a cadre of domestic companies, has given Ireland an economy built on innovation, which can be seen in terms of products made in Ireland. What are the key challenges in attracting FDI from China? A key challenge is achieving strong awareness of Ireland and what its attributes are. Clearly the wonderful cultural and social achievements of Ireland are known in China. Irish food is known there, Ireland’s great writers are known there and, of course, in more recent years Riverdance and Irish dance generally has become a big cultural export to China. But Ireland’s incredible track record as a business location is less well known, so IDA itself is getting the message out and Chinese companies like what they hear. They particularly like that hard work is valued in Ireland and that is a significant shared culture between the two countries. What are some of the important figures relating to FDI from China in Ireland, and what is the potential for the same? Ireland has a growing base of Chinese companies particularly in the ICT & IFS Sectors, powerful and world-leading companies, including Huawei, ICBC, China Development Bank, Tencent and Satir, have operations in Ireland and we are privileged to work with them as they grow internationally.
IDA
IDA is fully intent on attracting significant investment from China. Our current strategy contains a commitment that 20% of all Greenfield investments will originate from emerging markets by the end of this year. Our new strategy, which we expect to announce early next year, will update our targets but China will continue to be a very important key growth market for us. It’s not only Chinese companies investing in Ireland though; 91 Irish companies now have an established permanent presence in China. On average, one new Irish company establishes a permanent foothold each month. This growth demonstrates the enormous benefits which both of our economies can gain from cooperation and partnership. Trade exchanges between Ireland and China are intensifying. Two-way trade between Ireland and China was in the region of €8bn in 2013, making China Ireland’s leading trade partner in Asia. Service exports from Ireland to China are particularly dynamic, having expanded by 250% over the last ten years. A key part of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs is targeting key growth markets, with China being a key part of that, how has IDA Ireland been involved in Ministerial-led missions in China, and what has the outcome been of the most recent mission? The IDA is heavily engaged in Irish Political visits to China, (26 to date) and we encourage engagement with key influencers in China. The Irish President’s recent State visit was aimed at deepening the political, cultural, business, scientific and educational relationships between the two countries included meetings with President of China, Mr Xi Jinping; the Prime Minister, Mr Li Keqiang and the Chairman of the National People’s Congress, Mr Zhang Dejiang. IDA’s CEO attended these meetings as part of the official delegation. The visit also included a meeting with Mr Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba, as well as other influential companies. Chinese President Xi Jingping has accepted an invitation to visit Ireland for a second time.
How important are state visits in terms of building the relationship between the two countries and raising awareness of Ireland? Visits of this kind are hugely beneficial to Ireland. There is an ever-deepening engagement with China by the Irish state. In February 2014, before returning home, the previous Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Ireland, Luo Linquan, noted that nearly two-thirds of the Irish Cabinet had visited China during his time in Dublin. IDA CEO Martin Shanahan said recently that Ireland, although hugely successful in attracting FDI from the US, would not be able to replicate that strategy in China. In what ways will Ireland interact with the Chinese market and develop strong links? As an English-speaking nation in the Eurozone, Ireland could be a natural partner for China, where an estimated 300 million people are learning English. Our history of being on the receiving end of imperialism means our relationship with China is free of historical baggage. The key economic strengths of our economy lie in sectors, including digital and agri-food where China is trying to increase its capabilities and looking for partners who are unhindered by geostrategic concerns. The Ireland China Journal | 27
Minister Jan O’Sullivan
A class act Whether welcoming delegations from China, bringing the heads of Irish institutions together along with Enterprise Ireland or returning to China this year, the Minister for Education and Skills Jan O’Sullivan is confident we can deliver tangible results from Chinese-Irish relationships.
28 | The Ireland China Journal
Minister Jan O’Sullivan
Organised by Enterprise Ireland, the Education in Ireland mission proved an important step in further strengthening the strong education ties between Ireland and China, particularly in the third level sector. The Minister for Education and Skills, Jan O’Sullivan, embarked on the sevenday trade mission to China in October last year, commenting that “recent years have seen a significant deepening of the educational relationship between Ireland and China. This is an important element of my Department’s International Education Strategy and one that we want to see developed in the future.” “We have seen an increase in the number of Chinese students studying at graduate and post-graduate level in Ireland. We are also seeing very strong, innovative partnerships evolving between Irish third level institutions and Chinese universities.” Minister O’Sullivan travelled to Beijing and Shanghai, accompanied by senior staff from Enterprise Ireland, as well as representatives of 12 higher education institutions, each of which are actively involved in China. These included Dr Jim Browne, President of the National University of Ireland, Galway; Professor Andrew Deeks, President of University College Dublin; Professor Philip Nolan, President of Maynooth University; Jim Dowling, Deputy President of Dublin City University; and Professor Paul McCutcheon, Vice-President Academic and Registrar at the University of Limerick. Dr Juliette Hussey, Vice-President for Global Relations at Trinity College, Dublin; Ronan O’Dubhghail, Vice-President, External Relations for University College, Cork; Michael McGrail, Director of Development at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland; Diarmuid Hegarty, President of Griffith College; Dr Tom O’Toole, Vice President of International Affairs at Waterford Institute of Technology; and Dr Ruth Davies, Director of the 3U Partnership, also travelled on the mission. The first event on the the itinerary was the China Annual Conference for International Education, themed ‘Education, Future, Career’, where the Minister delivered a keynote speech.
In her address, the Minister said relations between Ireland and China are very close. “In political terms these were transformed by the seminal visit to Ireland in 2012 by President Xi Jinping. This was followed shortly afterwards by the visit to China of Ireland’s Taoiseach, or Prime Minister, during which the two countries concluded a Strategic Partnership Agreement.” Bilateral trade between Ireland and China is approaching €8 billion, she said. “We are proud to host two Confucius Institutes in Ireland, including one that represents the largest financial commitment by China to such an Institute anywhere in the world. We look forward to the establishment soon of a Chinese Cultural Centre in Dublin.” Both China and Ireland have long histories with a degree of shared experiences and a strong sense of commitment to education, family and tradition, she said.
Currently, we have approximately 5,000 Chinese students each year coming to study in Ireland, or studying in Irish-run programmes in China; Ireland now has an opportunity to dramatically increase that number. “Something else we have in common is that almost one third of our populations are under the age of 25. For this reason, it is probably not surprising that education is such a passion in both countries. It is a particular source of pride for us that Ireland now has the highest rate of higher education participation in Europe.” A few years ago, the European Commission identified Irish-educated graduates as the most sought after by recruiters in Europe, the Minister commented. The Minister visited the China Education Expo at the Beijing Convention Centre, including the Irish pavilion and HEIs. During her visit, the Minister announced details of UCD’s global engagement strategy with the setting up of global centres in China, India, Malaysia and the US. The Ireland China Journal | 29
Minister Jan O’Sullivan
It is a particular source of pride for us that Ireland now has the highest rate of higher education participation in Europe. The UCD office in Beijing will be located in the same premises used by the Irish Embassy and Enterprise Ireland. “By setting up global centres, UCD will extend its activities beyond student recruitment. Their purpose is to provide a focal point for education, for alumni and diaspora community, for research and academic collaboration, for trade and intercultural exchange,” the Minister commented. At present, there are 6,000 international students including 600 Chinese students studying at UCD in Dublin. Ninety of these are PhD students funded through the China Scholarship Council. Speaking about the opportunities that will come from the UCD global centre in Beijing, the President of UCD, Professor Andrew Deeks said the success of the Confucius Institute at UCD, which is linked with Renmin University, has already created a real bridge between 30 | The Ireland China Journal
the two countries. Over 5,200 students in Ireland undertake the courses offered by the Institute every year. “The UCD global centre in Beijing will complement the activities of our Embassy here as well as Enterprise Ireland and the IDA, and foster greater ties between our two countries,” he commented. There are currently 1,000 UCD alumni in China with over 100 based in Beijing, he said. “Through this global centre we will develop networks for and with our graduates so that we can support their careers here.” “We have been active for a much longer time in other parts of Asia and have a further 2,000 alumni in Hong Kong and 6,500 in Singapore, so there are enormous opportunities to be realised by creating this network,” Professor Deeks commented. The Minister also opened 3U Partnership’s China Office in Beijing, which is located in the city’s awardwinning Galaxy SOHO urban complex. The partnership comprises Dublin City University (DCU), Maynooth University and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI).
Minister Jan O’Sullivan
The office delivers on the internationalisation ambitions of its Partner Institutions, by recruiting high calibre Chinese students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and by developing strategic academic − both teaching and research-driven − collaborations with top-ranking Chinese universities such as Beijing Foreign Studies University, the Communication University of China and the Capital University of Economics and Business. Minister O’Sullivan also had meetings at Fudan University, Tongji University, Peking University, and with the President of Shanghai University, Chinese Education Agents, China’s Minister for Education and China Scholarship Council, and representatives from the China Service Centre for Scholarly Exchange. During the course of the trade mission, Minister O’Sullivan secured agreement that Ireland will be recognised as the ‘country of honour’ at the Chinese Education Expo in October 2016. The Minister intends to travel to China again later this year to accept the baton of ‘country of honour’ for 2016, and to continue her work promoting Ireland as a destination for Chinese students. Separately, Minister O’Sullivan also secured agreement that two high-level Chinese delegations will visit Ireland during 2015. In September 2015, a highlevel delegation from Chinese universities will travel to Ireland. A high-level joint working group between the Department of Education and Skills, and the Chinese Ministry for Education will meet in Dublin during 2015. This group has previously met twice, in Dublin in 2010 and in Beijing in 2013. During the trip, 12 separate Memorandums of Understanding were signed between DCU and the Communications University of China, Maynooth University and Beijing Foreign Studies University, Trinity College Dublin and the China Service Centre for Scholarly Exchange, UCD and Hanban (Confucius Institute Headquarters), UCD and Fudan University, UL and Tianjin Foreign Studies University,
UL and the University of Science and Technology (two MoUs signed), UL and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants China, UL and Tongji University, Waterford Institute of Technology and Shijiazhuang Tiedao University, and Waterford Institute of Technology and Hebei University of Technology. “These events represented the culmination of major efforts by Irish universities and institutes of technology to build relationships with some of the top-ranking Chinese universities,” Minister O’Sullivan commented. “The Chinese Minister for Education confirmed his support for increasing the number of Chinese students studying in Irish institutions. Currently, we have approximately 5,000 Chinese students each year coming to study in Ireland, or studying in Irish-run programmes in China.” Ireland now has an opportunity to dramatically increase that number, improving the financial standing of our third-level institutions, and also bringing considerable investment to towns and cities across Ireland, Minister O’Sullivan said. “Whether welcoming delegations from China, bringing the heads of Irish institutions together along with Enterprise Ireland to ensure we have a coordinated approach, or returning to China again next year, I am confident that we can deliver tangible results from Chinese-Irish relationships, that will help to support our social and economic recovery.” The Ireland China Journal | 31
Trinity Centre for Asian Studies
Inside the Trinity Centre for Asian Studies Trinity College Dublin has had strong links with China for much of its history, and the new M.Phil. in Chinese Studies is set to commence at the Trinity Centre for Asian Studies in September this year, as Lynne Nolan discovers. Trinity College Dublin was one of the first universities in Europe to welcome Chinese students to its campus, with students from Beijing and Nanjing studying there in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Established in 2014, the Trinity Centre for Asian Studies is a teaching and research centre at Trinity College Dublin, bringing together Trinity’s 32 | The Ireland China Journal
existing capacities in Korean, Japanese and Chinese Studies in a multidisciplinary structure and acting as a focal point for regionally-based scholarship and pan-Asian research. Its activities focus on contemporary society and culture, language learning, diaspora studies, and comparative studies including Asian-European studies.
Trinity Centre for Asian Studies
The Trinity Centre for Asian Studies aims to promote Asian studies nationally and internationally, as a leading Irish knowledge centre for policy-makers, business leaders and scholars in the field. Its staff are committed to excellence in scholarship and research-led teaching which will advance knowledge of Asia through its world-class undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and supervision. The Centre embraces a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach in its teaching between the disciplines of Japanese, Chinese and Korean Studies. Trinity College Dublin has a longstanding relationship with China which dates back to the Mission to the Far East and the establishment of Trinity College Fuzhou. Founded in 1886, the Dublin University Far Eastern Mission established Trinity College Fuzhou in 1907, now the Fuzhou Foreign Language School. Mandarin language classes have been running in Trinity for the past twenty years as part of the university’s continuing relationship with Fuzhou. The Japanese language programme at Trinity College has been running for several decades with a range of proficiency levels of Japanese language classes in the undergraduate programme as well as opportunities for postgraduate supervision. The Japan Foundation supported the transformation of the programme into credit-bearing modules fully integrated in the undergraduate curriculum. The Korean Studies programme at Trinity College is the newest addition to the university’s activities. It commenced in 2010, with initial support from the Korea Foundation for an Assistant Professorship in Korean Studies. Currently, a range of credit-bearing and extracurricular modules in Korean language and culture are available for Trinity students and the general public as well as opportunities for postgraduate research supervision. Trinity students also have the opportunity to take a credit-bearing module in Contemporary Asian Studies as part of the university’s
Professer Lorna Carson
The Centre is a research partner, along with Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Guangzhou, working on how Europe is viewed from China. Broad Curriculum programme and delivered by the Centre’s staff. A new M.Phil. in Chinese Studies has been enabled through a philanthropic donation by Dr Sam Lam, a Trinity alumnus from Hong Kong. Dr Lam, a medical graduate, presented his donation to the Provost, Dr Patrick Prendergast, during the Provost’s visit to Hong Kong in 2013. This new Masters programme with its focus on China today and during the last century will provide an important new approach to Chinese Studies in Ireland. The Ireland China Journal | 33
Trinity Centre for Asian Studies
The interdisciplinary two-year taught M.Phil. will offer a unique opportunity for students to gain expertise in key aspects of contemporary Chinese society, history, politics and governance. The chief aims of this new postgraduate degree in Chinese Studies are to contribute to understanding modern influences in China; to establish the discipline of Chinese Studies in a way that develops relevant teaching; and to contribute to the development of Ireland’s engagement with China. As a result, the new Masters programme aims to produce graduates equipped with the intellectual and transferable skills for future careers requiring a strong knowledge of contemporary China. Commenting on the new M.Phil. in Chinese Studies, which will commence in September 2015, the Director of the Trinity Centre for Asian Studies, Professor Lorna Carson explained: “We 34 | The Ireland China Journal
see Chinese Studies as a vital part of a modern Trinity education; a unique and vibrant educational experience which equips its students to be global citizens. Our goal is to establish Chinese Studies in a way that develops relevant teaching and research for our university, and allows students to engage deeply with China today.” The M.Phil. programme will add to the provision of Chinese scholarship in Ireland in a number of novel ways. The programme will enable in-depth studies of China in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries within a comparative, global context and offer a range of disciplinary perspectives, including modern Chinese history and thought, politics and governance, language, society and culture. It is principally aimed at students with a primary degree in humanities or social science subjects. The degree course has two strands: one for students with no prior knowledge of Mandarin, and another for students with prior or native knowledge of Mandarin. As a result, Trinity’s new Masters programme will also be of interest to Chinese students who wish to extend their study of modern China in a European cultural setting and comparative context. The M.Phil. in Chinese Studies also incorporates an integrated Study Abroad module: a semester spent at one of Trinity’s partner universities which will allow students to develop their language skills as well as to experience campus life. The new multi-disciplinary Masters programme is a cross-Faculty initiative which has involved the recruitment of three new academic staff in Chinese Studies: two Assistant Professors and one Associate Professor. The Associate Professorship, which was enabled by Dr Lam’s donation, will commence in July 2015 and be based in the School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences, and is funded for four years. An Assistant Professorship, in the School of Social Sciences and Philosophy, was taken up by Dr Xin Sun in September 2014. Dr
Trinity Centre for Asian Studies
Sun is a graduate of Peking University and Northwestern University. A third post in Chinese Studies in the School of Histories and Humanities will commence in the new academic year. The Centre’s Inaugural Asian Studies lecture series was opened in October 2014 by the Ambassador of Japan, His Excellency Mr Atsumi. Speaking to a packed audience, he urged the audience to consider Japan and East Asia based on a deeper understanding of economics, politics and culture. Other speakers in the series have included Mr Leo Goodstadt, chief policy adviser to the Hong Kong Government as Head of its Central Policy Unit from 1989 to 1997 and currently involved in economic research and investment management relating to Asia; Dr Kevin Cawley, Director of the Irish Institute of Korean Studies; Professor Rosa Chun, Chair in Global Leadership, Reputation and Responsibility at UCD; Professors
We see Chinese Studies as a vital part of a modern Trinity education; a unique and vibrant educational experience which equips its students to be global citizens. Jerusha McCormack and John Blair, experts in comparative culture studies; Sir David Goodall, formerly of the Cabinet Office and former High Commissioner to India; and Professor Anne Pauwels, Professor of Sociolinguistics and Dean of the Faculty of Languages and Cultures at the School of African and Oriental Studies (SOAS), University of London, where she is also Director of the London Confucius Institute. The 2014/15 lecture series will close in June with a Noh lecture and performance by Ms Ryoko Aoki. One example of the Centre’s research activities is its participation in a The Ireland China Journal | 35
Trinity Centre for Asian Studies
Since 1592 Trinity College Dublin has attracted a great many high achievers. Trinity is recognised internationally for the quality of its education and research, and over the past four centuries Trinity graduates have played a leading role on the world stage. Trinity continues to educate innovative thinkers with the independent and critical thinking skills that are so valued by employers. The Trinity Centre for Asian Studies is the leading knowledge centre for policy-makers, business leaders and scholars in the field.
M.Phil. in Chinese Studies This interdisciplinary two-year taught M.Phil. in Chinese Studies offers a unique opportunity for students from a variety of backgrounds to engage deeply with China today. The M.Phil. in Chinese Studies seeks to develop students’ in-depth knowledge and understanding of China in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries within a comparative, global context. It approaches the study of China from a range of disciplinary perspectives, including modern Chinese history and thought, politics and governance, language, society and culture.
It produces graduates equipped with the intellectual and transferable skills for future careers requiring a strong knowledge of contemporary China. It provides a unique opportunity for graduate students to undertake subjectspecific study and research training in the context of contemporary China as well as a Study Abroad semester in one of Trinity’s partner universities. The degree course has two strands. Strand 1 is designed for students with no prior knowledge of Mandarin, whilst Strand 2 is designed for students with varying prior levels or native proficiency in Mandarin.
Course start date: September 2015, application deadline 30 June 2015. Contact: www.tcd.ie/Asian • tcas@tcd.ie • + 353 (0) 1 896 1560 • www.facebook.com/TCD.Asian • @TCDAsianStudies
36 | The Ireland China Journal
Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin
www.tcd.ie
Trinity Centre for Asian Studies
new European Commission-funded Jean Monnet network (2014-2017) on European identity formation. The Centre is a research partner, along with Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Guangzhou, working on how Europe is viewed from China. The network’s target group are young researchers (doctoral students, potential doctoral students and earlycareer researchers), and the partners will be offering a range of summer schools, seminars and exchange possibilities. Another major research project funded by the European Union’s FP7 programme is underway, led by TCD’s Prof. Heath Rose on the learning of kanji and hanzi (Japanese and Chinese characters) by alphabetic first language users, in other words native-English speaking learners of the Chinese and Japanese languages. Therefore, the study makes a significant contribution to the field in broadening our understanding of how learners cope with the memorisation of these scripts. The study is also significant in its application of relatively new theories
of strategic learning and self-regulation to the task of learning character-based languages, as much of what we know of second language acquisition is biased towards the learning of English as a second or foreign language. Data will be collected over the duration of three years in the form of interviews, stimulated recall sessions (utilising eye-tracking technology), and questionnaires. The Centre’s postgraduate students are engaged in a range of fascinating research projects such as investigating changes in Beijing’s visual landscape, the role of Confucianism in motivation and language learning, Korean language curriculum design and testing, and Japanese popular culture. Professor Juliette Hussey, Vice President for Global Relations at Trinity College Dublin, said that Trinity College Dublin has had strong links with China for most of its history and that the new M.Phil. in Chinese Studies “will introduce students to a global dialogue on their area of academic study and in building a global Trinity community.” The Ireland China Journal | 37
A&L Goodbody
A&L Goodbody Innovative approach, successful engagement with China A&L Goodbody is an award winning firm and continues to be successful and experienced in offering innovative advice on international business matters and regularly advises on investments into and out of Ireland, cross-border transactions and complex international transactions. In 2010, A&L Goodbody established a Chinese Lawyer’s Programme, the first and only of its kind in Ireland, with a number of the top independent business law firms, companies and universities in China. Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny who launched the programme in China commented; “This programme has the potential to take the business relationship between China and Ireland to a new plane in its development of a professional network which will benefit both countries.” By developing its knowledge of the business environment in China through 38 | The Ireland China Journal
the Programme, A&L Goodbody has a deep understanding of China’s legal and business environment - a benefit to anyone engaged in Irish-Sino business. The firm’s Programme is proving a huge success in developing A&L Goodbody as the “go to” Irish law firm for providing advice and support to Chinese companies exploring business or investment opportunities in Ireland as well as Irish and international clients in relation to their Chinese business interests. Also and most importantly the Programme is succeeding in building recognition and awareness of “Brand Ireland” in China. A&L Goodbody’s Managing Partner, Julian Yarr, said that; “Investment into Ireland is a key driver in the recovery of the Irish economy and this initiative continues to be a key part of the firm’s strategic international growth.” Since launching the Programme the firm
A&L Goodbody
has seen a steady increase in its Chinese client base with particular growth in clients seeking advice in aviation finance and corporate matters. The Programme’s emphasis on mutual investment and co-operation is a key component to its success and reflects the partnership model preferred by Chinese business in approaching new markets. A&L Goodbody has strong working relationships with many of the top law firms, universities, State and privately owned enterprises in China. The firm has established a broad and exclusive network of advisors who assist clients with Chinese business issues. A very popular aspect of the Programme involves the Chinese lawyers working on placement directly with our Irish clients to assist them with developing their business in China and this has proved to be a very valuable experience for our clients. With more and more Irish clients looking to the Chinese market to expand their business, the ability to gain the insight and perspective directly from our Chinese lawyers has given our clients a distinct advantage. To date, over 40 Chinese lawyers have spent up to six months in the firm’s Dublin office, assisting clients while lawyers from A&L Goodbody have gained experience
working on secondment in the offices of Chinese law firms. Marie O’Brien, Partner and Head of the Firm’s Chinese Lawyer’s Programme said: “The A&L Goodbody Chinese Lawyer’s Programme allows the firm to further develop its knowledge and understanding of Chinese business culture. In a practical context we learn how best to progress transactions efficiently in China’s legal, governmental and regulatory environment whilst simultaneously building robust relationships which is a key driver to successful engagement with China.” The potential for growth in business between Ireland and China is strong and A&L Goodbody is committed to its investment in the China Programme to ensure that its Irish and Chinese clients can benefit from its insight, experience and network. If you are interested in learning more about the A&L Goodbody Chinese Lawyer’s Programme please contact Marie O’Brien, Head of A&L Goodbody’s Chinese Lawyer’s Programme. www.algoodbody.com/china
The Ireland China Journal | 39
The Ireland China Journal News
ICJ News SAMCO Maize Planting System to Improve Productivity in Inner Mongolia Samco Agricultural Manufacturing Ltd., based in Adare, Co. Limerick, Ireland, has secured a Purchase Agreement with Xingye Planting Co. Ltd and Ruitian Modern Agriculture Co. Ltd based in Inner Mongolia, Northern China for their SAMCO maize planting machine and bio-degradable mulch film. The announcement was made during this week’s trade mission to China led by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD. SAMCO are recognised experts in forage and grain maize growing – particularly in adverse climatic conditions such as in Ireland, or Northern China where there are large tracts of land exposed to cold temperatures. Welcoming the announcement Minister Coveney said: “Today’s announcement is clear evidence of what Irish companies can achieve in China. This announcement confirms the high standing of Irish companies for the quality of their product and service. China is a priority market for Irish agriservices companies, and Enterprise Ireland is working intensively with these companies to drive increased sales in this huge market. I strongly congratulate SAMCO on this agreement with Xingye Planting Company and Ruitian Modern Agriculture Co. Ltd and wish all parties continued success”. Enterprise Ireland is the trade and technology board of the Irish Government. The Samco System machine lays a thin layer of biodegradable mulch film over the soil at the time of sowing which increases soil and air temperature. The machine forms a seed channel under the film creating an ideal microclimate for the seed to germinate and develop. Over the last couple of years SAMCO has been working closely with Xingje to establish a prototype of high quality forage maize plantation on potato rotation soil with break-through results. As a direct result of this collaboration, Xingje have also successfully grown grain corn using the SAMCO system on this rotation land – effectively tripling the total area of Xingje’s maize fields. Samco also have a close working relation with Ruitian Modern Agriculture Co. who have successfully planted their high quality forage maize in high altitude conditions in Wulanchabu, Inner Mongolia using the SAMCO system.
40 | The Ireland China Journal
Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, Irish Agricultural Minister Mr. Simon Coveney, Chinese Ambassador of Ireland, H.E. Paul Kavanagh, Mr Ming Yang Business Development Manager, SAMCO & Mr. Li Jin Long Ruitian Modern Farming Ltd
Today’s signed agreement demonstrates the tangible benefits of SAMCO’s technology and provides them with a key reference partner in building out its Chinese business. The agreement also represents an enhanced and higher level of cooperation between SAMCO and Chinese Planting Partners. Samuel Shine, Samco managing director said: “SAMCO is an innovative agriculture manufacturing company and our engineering technology is proven to help farmers to reduce costs and increase profits in an ever challenging agricultural industry. We look forward to working closely with both Xingye Planting Co. Ltd. and Ruitian Modern Agriculture Co. Ltd” Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, who is accompanying Minister Coveney on the trade mission added: “A key element of Enterprise Ireland’s strategy is to drive export sales of Irish companies. SAMCO is a highly innovative Irish company with an established global presence. I warmly congratulate SAMCO on this new agreement and look forward to working with them in the future as they continue to grow their sales in global markets”.
Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)
Boarfish - Edward Farrell
Making a Splash Ireland’s seafood players need to box clever, get online and consider changes in buyer behaviour to seize China’s huge potential, Donal Buckley, Director of Business Development and Innovation Services at Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) tells Lynne Nolan. The Irish State agency Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), established under the Sea Fisheries Act 1952, supports the Irish seafood sector by providing market research on export market opportunities, innovation and new product development through the BIM Seafood Development Centre, and Capital investment grants supporting scale and innovation; as well as through companies coming together to take joint route to market approaches. Discussing its China Seafood Strategy, Donal Buckley, Director of Business Development and Innovation Services at BIM comments that with shellfish, the focus is on penetrating the premium “high end” consumer market that values provenance, targeting consumers who are well 42 | The Ireland China Journal
travelled, appreciate food and consequently are willing to pay for quality and the experience. There is big demand for wild Irish crab, langoustines and oysters, he says. According to Buckley, the Chinese seafood market is huge, “accounting for about 38% of total global seafood consumption.” “Ireland is a small player and has to box clever in such a large market. Collaboration and joint ventures between companies enable companies to pool resources around marketing and product supply. BIM will work further with companies to develop a China Seafood Council to share market intelligence and build commercial efficiency,” he comments. Currently there are three branded Irish
Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)
Collective Groups operating in China; Ocean Jade, consisting of Sofrimar, Shellfish De La Mer, Carrs and McBride; Atlantic Gold, comprising Rockabill Seafood and Atlanfish; and Errigal Seafoods, a merger between Errigal Seafood and Kilmore Fish Co during 2014. Asked how the three collectives are faring in that market, Buckley says “the companies are growing strategically building their brands, product supply and customer network.” “They are investing with ‘feet on the ground’ marketing resources supported by BIM and Bord Bia are all showing good returns on their investment in China,” he enthuses. On Pelagic fish, he says that boarfish is an abundant and relatively under-utilised species and BIM is providing industry with technical and innovation support to provide new formats for the Chinese market including headed and gutted boarfish (H&G) and boarfish mince blocks for producing Chinese delicacies such as fish balls and dumplings. BIM is also working with pelagic companies to develop customer network for mackerel and horse mackerel. The market focus is on Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong, while the development of online sales will be important going forward, as “e-sales are developing fast in China and BIM is working with Bord Bia to develop this exciting new channel which can enable seafood companies to trade directly with Chinese consumers.” In November 2014, the trade mission led by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD and organised by Bord Bia included a large contingent of seafood companies (15), with 11 exhibiting at the China Seafood Exposition in Qingdao. Irish seafood exports to China are growing fast (expected to be up about 35% this year) and the seafood companies reported very positive demand and orders for seafood, Buckley explains. The BIM Strategy 2013-2017 is an action plan to deliver 1200 jobs and €1 billion seafood sales by building scale and enhancing competitiveness in the Irish seafood sector. Discussing the key challenges BIM faces in reaching its targets, Buckley comments that “seafood demand is outpacing supply so there is an underlying
Donal Buckley
The Chinese seafood market is huge, accounting for about 38% of total global seafood consumption. growth in prices of seafood. Irish seafood is positioning itself to maximise returns from exports through.” Adding more value can be achieved through NPD and branding examples, he says, for example the new Biomarine Ingredients plant in Donegal and with Keohanes Seafoods exploring value added convenience foods; as well as by building scale companies through mergers between seafood companies and alliances with food and international companies. “A key challenge for the sector is to access more raw material for growth. BIM has a number of plans for expanding the raw material base including developing new salmon farms and taking in more foreign landings for processing on to export markets. Increasingly, Irish processors are benefiting from our proximity to fishing grounds in this regard with growing landings of white fish, blue whiting from foreign vessels.” BIM and Bord Bia are collaborating to The Ireland China Journal | 43
Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)
Seafood Stats Global Prod
2008
2030
154
186
Wild
90
93
Aqua
63
93
China Prod
49
69
ECA ( Europe/Cent Asia)
15
16
Consumption Global MT
120
152
China
35
57
Consumption/PC
18
China
33 (2010)
41
27
24
12.7
17.8
+2
+3.6
ECA Global Trade MT China ECA
-4.2
-4.6
NAM
-3
-5.5
Source: FAO Fish to 2030
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37% total Prod
38% global
work with exclusive Distributors on developing the retail and on-line market for “wild caught” boarfish, Buckley reveals. To date over 400 tonnes have been delivered. The challenge is to increase market prices from €500 to €700 per tonne. BIM’s Seafood development Centre has invested in new H&G process technology for boarfish - Its small size (c. 40g), spines and scales reduces the value proposition for boarfish. Over the past 16 months BIM has facilitated the development of bespoke heading and gutting technology for this species. This novel technology has the capacity to process 600 fish per minute, which equates over 1MT per hr. Previous market testing has indicated that H&G as a product is of interest and commercial leads will be followed up with given there is the capacity to produce a viable product. Of particular interest, he says, is the fact that minced product can be produced from H&G (yield). Minced fish is an important ingredient in various value products (e.g. fish cakes,
Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)
fish fingers), particularly for eastern European processors. Irish Seafood exports to China (including Hong Kong) have been increasing by 34% year on year to August 2014, however Irish firms in working with the Chinese market have identified problems including “a lack of transparency with suppliers in the market, even though they had be conducting business for a few years. This has resulted in an inability to gain feedback on product and sales performance and, crucially, no direction on pricing.” “This year has seen a change in buyer behaviour; quality has now become a bigger issue where in previous years it was purely about price and volume.” The Seafood Development Centre (SDC) is Ireland’s dedicated centre for seafood innovation and new product development. The centre has an expert group of seafood technologists, market research staff and culinary chefs who work with companies on a confidential basis to tailor products for to meet specific market opportunities. “For the Chinese market, the SDC works to interpret Chinese consumer requirements and produce culinary formats and recipes for boarfish,” Buckley comments. Focused on its future plans for China, BIM has recruited an experienced Business Development Manager to focus on developing the Chinese market. Actions will include the development of a marketing plan for shellfish that is focused on penetrating the premium “high end” consumer market that values provenance, targeting consumers who are well travelled, appreciate food and consequently are willing to pay for quality and the experience; and the formulation of “a plan to conduct a detailed market approach on behalf of all of the collectives to gain insight into competitor products, pricing and product format buyer behaviour.” “BIM will work further with companies to develop a China Seafood Council to share research, customer intelligence, and market dynamics.”
Irish Seafood in China • Goal: €100 million in five years = 2nd biggest export market after France • Fast export growth: from €5 million in 2011 to estimated €24 million in 2014 Market Dynamics • Food Safety concerns • Increasing Affluence w Chinese consumption from 10kg/c in 1990 to 33 kg /c in 2013 w Middle class growth +100mio HH w Require additional 14mio tonnes by 2025 • Urbanisation leading to fast retail (( Retail from 4% to 40% by 2020) • Demand for convenience • 1 Country but different markets (live caught South/ Hong Kong, Shanghai) – Processed Frozen ( North/ Beijing) Irish Seafood Strategy • Premium shellfish ( Crab, prawn, oyster) - developing retail and high end food service • Marketing under Origin Green, Irish wild caught, pure waters of Atlantic • Boarfish – wild and delicious – new formats H&G, mince for fish balls, dumplings • Market focus: Shanghai, Beijing Hong Kong ( > 50 mio people) • Focused Distributors • Companies: Seafood Council Ocean Jade, Atlantic Gold, Errigal: sharing market research, commercial info and onground resources • Competition: Scotland, France, Canadian lobster Alaskan Crab, Domestic mitten crab Challenges: • Reduced high end spending due to corruption campaign • Competitive Chinese local products • Complex Distribution : working with specialised local partners
The Ireland China Journal | 45
Minister Simon Coveney
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine Simon Coveney with Chinese Minister for the Inspection and Quarantine Service, Mr Shuping.
Food for thought Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney wrapped up his trade mission to China by recapping the opinions of those he met: food originating from Ireland is trusted as being produced to the highest standards when it comes to food safety, quality and sustainability. It is Ireland’s premium status as a supplier of quality meats, dairy products, beverages, seafood and other products and services that will see off more humdrum rivals in China. Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, led a major trade mission to China from November 2 to 8 last year, providing Irish companies with an exciting opportunity to increase their profile and build relationships with potential business partners and buyers. Covering five major cities over five days with 50 key engagements, Minister Coveney was accompanied by CEOs from 37 Irish companies, along with senior officials from his Department and from State Agencies in the agri-food 46 | The Ireland China Journal
and fisheries sector, Ireland’s largest indigenous industry. For Minister Coveney, China really is the land of opportunity. “China has a strong demand for imports of quality food, given the size of its population and concerns over food security and safety and Ireland is strategically placed to be a key supplier of quality meats, dairy products, beverages, seafood and other products and services to China/Hong Kong.” The key objectives of the trade mission were to progress market access for Irish beef, showcase Ireland as a source of high quality, sustainably produced dairy products; expand opportunities for the seafood sector, promote Ireland as strategic partners for agri-food and agri-services,
Minister Simon Coveney
and finally, to facilitate increased business opportunities for Irish companies. The Mission included meetings with the Chinese Minister for the Inspection and Quarantine Service, Mr Shuping, the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Hans Changfu, the Minister for the Chinese Food and Drugs Administration, Dr Yin Li BO and the Chinese Vice Minister for International Trade in the Ministry of Agriculture Minister Niu Dun.
Beef inspection breakthrough
After his first day of meetings with China’s Minister of Agriculture Han Changfu and Director of State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine Zhi Shuping, Minister Coveney announced a major breakthrough for Irish beef access in China, having secured an agreement from his Chinese counterpart to send a formal inspection team to Ireland the following month. “This follows intensive technical engagement between my Department and the relevant Chinese Authorities over the past two years. The question of beef access has also been raised at the highest political levels, and I am delighted that we were in a position to advance this process during my visit to China.” The Chinese visit will include full systems and plant audits of all aspects of the beef inspection system in Ireland. The Minister also announced a key first step has been made in securing access for Irish sheepmeat. “I was delighted to formally submit to AQSIQ the questionnaire marking the first step in securing access for Irish sheepmeat to China. Obtaining the green light from China to move to this stage represents an important milestone, and with growing Chinese demand for high quality lamb I believe Irish producers are well placed to take advantage of the market opportunity if we can progress this quickly”.
Abolishing milk quotas and expanding output
Marine Coveney hosted a major IrelandChina dairy seminar in Beijing aimed at raising awareness of Ireland as a premium dairy producer for Chinese buyers and consumers. The event, hosted
in association with Bord Bia, aimed to increase Ireland’s exposure to the largest dairy market in the world in advance of dairy quotas being abolished from next April. The event also built on the successful audit of Irish dairy plants in April last year, where Ireland achieved 100% compliance with the Chinese requirements, and every company that applied for access was accepted. “Ireland stands on the cusp of the biggest positive development for Irish agriculture in over thirty years. With more than 85% of Irish dairy production being exported and one third of the value of these exports going outside the EU, it is imperative that the Irish dairy sector continues to source sustainable third country markets, particularly now that our output will be expanding from next April.”
With growing Chinese demand for high quality lamb I believe Irish producers are well placed to take advantage of the market opportunity if we can progress this quickly. The event also witnessed the signing of a co-operation agreement between Bord Bia and the China Dairy Industry Association, with Bord Bia CEO Aidan Cotter describing the seminar held on the same day as “an ideal platform to share our recent research findings which will help guide the industry, and Bord Bia, with regard to the optimum messaging for sharing the story of Origin Green, Ireland’s sustainability programme, with Chinese customers.” Minister Coveney added that “supported by Government, the Irish dairy sector has succeeded in positioning itself as a major international player.”
Pure, clean waters
On November 5, following a meeting with Chinese Vice Minister Niu Dun who has responsibility for Fisheries, Minister Coveney opened the largest ever Irish pavilion, organised by Bord Bia, at the China Seafood & Fisheries Expo. The Ireland China Journal | 47
Minister Simon Coveney
Speaking at the event, Minister Coveney said Ireland has “some of the finest seafood in the world, with a superior offering that is sustainably harvested from the pure, clean waters of the Atlantic Ocean.” “China continues to be a growing market for Irish seafood and with exports increasing by over 300% since 2011 to reach €18 million in 2013. This strong trend in Irish exports to the region is continuing in 2014 with sales for the first 6 months up 56% compared to the same period last year.” Aidan Cotter, CEO of Bord Bia said “the strong and sustained growth in exports in recent years demonstrates the continued success of Ireland’s leading shellfish processors in penetrating this valuable market. Exports of shellfish to China, for example, increased in value by over 200% between 2012 and 2013, while exports to Hong Kong increased by 117% during the same period.” Bord Bia has ambitious plans to further grow the share of Irish seafood into China and has a number of programmes in place to assist Irish seafood processors in identifying, profiling and targeting new customers that are willing to pay a premium for quality seafood from Ireland, Cotter revealed. Through its trade development programme, Bord Bia has been successful in encouraging high-end retail and foodservice customers in 48 | The Ireland China Journal
China to visit Ireland to meet with Irish seafood processors on a one-to-one basis. Over the past three years, Bord Bia has welcomed more than 25 Asian customers to Ireland on customised itineraries. In 2014, Bord Bia worked closely with the Irish industry to assist with the launch of boarfish into the Chinese market. Sales are slowly building in the supermarket, online and snack food sectors, and to date, more than 250 tonnes have been exported to China. In 2015, to build on the momentum and further increase exports of premium Irish seafood to China, Bord Bia is concentrating its promotional efforts on increasing awareness of new species from Ireland such as brown crab and Irish prawns. Targeting chefs, media and key opinion formers, Bord Bia will coordinate a series of cookery demonstrations in Beijing and Shanghai, focused on introducing recipes for these species that are new to the Chinese market. The campaign will assist the Irish processing sector to sell in their ranges to distributors servicing the high end restaurants and hotels in these two key locations. In addition, Chinese consumers will be educated and informed through a comprehensive programme of in-store tastings with a number of supermarket retail chains.
Boosting the Irish dairy industry
The Minister’s visit to the headquarters of Chinese dairy company Beingmate marked its strategic partnership with Kerry Group and the recent launch of the Green Love infant formula product, manufactured in Charleville, Cork, for sale in the Chinese market. “It is a huge source of pride to see a product produced in County Cork and so clearly associated with Ireland achieving this premium status in the world’s largest dairy markets like China. This is exactly where the Irish dairy sector should be positioning itself if it is to realise its vast potential when dairy quotas are abolished next year,” Minister Coveney said.
Minister Simon Coveney
The visit included a signing ceremony where Minister Coveney provided a letter of endorsement on behalf of the Irish Government cementing Kerry’s reputation as a supplier of premium dairy product and ingredients produced to the most rigorous food safety and reliability standards. Minister Coveney also met with representatives from Tmall.com, the world’s largest online retailer. Recognising the importance of the rapid growth of online retailing in China as a key platform for promoting premium Irish food and beverages, Minister Coveney welcomed continued cooperation between Tmall.com and Bord Bia on behalf of the Irish food industry. “Our partnership with the world’s largest B2C e-commerce platform [Tmall.com] represents an excellent opportunity to raise awareness of sustainably produced, premium Irish food and beverages with the web-savvy Chinese consumer.” Witnessing double-digit year-onyear growth, online sales channels are increasingly competing with, and in many cases leapfrogging, traditional brick-and-mortar retail formats, he said, and “we recognise the value in building partnerships with Tmall.com as the leader in the industry.” On the final day of the mission, Minister Coveney was joined by Glanbia’s Group Managing Director Siobhán Talbot to meet with Mr Zheng, Managing Director of Milkmore, the
distribution partner for Avonmore in Shanghai, to mark the launch of a long-life (UHT) Avonmore milk on the Chinese market. The launch of the distinctive Irish Avonmore brand in China is another boost for the Irish dairy industry, Minister Coveney said. “Avonmore milk will bring the highest standards of dairy safety and traceability to consumers in China and represents the best of Irish-Chinese partnership in the dairy sector.” Glanbia prides itself on full traceability from grass to glass, Talbot said. “By partnering with MilkMore, Glanbia can also guarantee Chinese customers and consumers full traceability from farms in Ireland directly to glasses in China.” The product is being produced in a new,-state-of-the-art factory in Lough Egish, County Monaghan, which was developed with the support of Enterprise Ireland. The market for imported UHT milk into China has grown strongly in recent years. Demand has increased four-fold in the last four years as Chinese production of milk has failed to keep up with the rapidly growing demand in China. Avonmore will be sold in traditional supermarket stores but also through distribution channels specific to China. These include milk shops, small stores that only sell fresh and long life milk, premium supermarkets in major cities, TV shopping channels and through online retail platforms. The Ireland China Journal | 49
Making more of Irish Seafood
To add value to your business: BIM Seafood Development Centre Clogheen Road, Clonakilty Co. Cork. Email SDC@bim.ie Tel 01 2144280
www.bim.ie
Minister Simon Coveney
Ireland stands on the cusp of the biggest positive development for Irish agriculture in over thirty years. Coveney provided a letter of endorsement on behalf of the Irish Government highlighting Abbott’s reputation as a supplier of premium dairy product and ingredients produced to the most rigorous food safety and reliability standards.
Sources of pride
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine TD Simon Coveney
The Minister met with senior executives from Bright Foods, a state-owned Chinese consumer food giant, and a key strategic partner for Glanbia in China. He later met with Frank Wu, Greater China President of Wyeth Nutrition, which launched its Illuma infant formula product in China in recent years. The product is manufactured in Askeaton, Limerick, and, with an estimated export value of €180m, is Ireland’s largest single export to China. Wyeth’s manufacturing plant in Ireland has recently been admitted to the Origin Green programme, which has proved a key element in enhancing Ireland’s reputation for quality, safety and environmental sustainability in China. At the concluding event of the trade mission, Minister Coveney visited the Abbott Eleva Store in Shanghai, to mark the official launch of its Eleva Blue infant formula brand in China. The product is manufactured at its facility in Cootehill, Cavan. As part of the launch, Minister
Speaking before his departure from Shanghai, the Minister expressed his delight with the progress across a range of sectors and the opportunity to showcase Ireland’s world class food and drink products and services to a huge and expanding market like China. “The opportunity presented by the Chinese market is staggering. Since my previous visit here two years ago China has risen to become our sixth biggest export market with values trebling over the last three years to reach €390 million last year and expected to reach €500 million this year. I expect this will continue to rise as demand grows and there is an increasing awareness of Ireland and the quality of our products.” “It was a source of great pride to see dairy and infant formula products originating from Kerry, Cork, Limerick, Cavan and Monaghan and clearly associated with Ireland now becoming the premier product of choice for Chinese consumers.” The Minister concluded that “the one clear message I have got from the Chinese authorities, companies and buyers this week is that they know and trust food originating from Ireland as being produced to the highest standards when it comes to food safety, quality and sustainability.” “It’s important now that we build on this momentum and keep focused on the huge prize which is access to the Chinese market for all our agri-food services and products.” The Ireland China Journal | 51
Kerry Group
The Tastemakers With a major investment programme underway to establish state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Nantong, Kerry Group is helping local Chinese companies to develop innovative food offerings, and its regional and global customers to customise products for the Chinese market. Kerry Group PLC commenced operations in 1972, became a public company in 1986 and has gone on to create a leading position in the world of food ingredients and flavours, supplying the who’s who of the global food, beverage and, more recently, pharmaceutical markets. Although its initial development was largely based on North American and European markets, “as we’ve built up our relationships with those global customers they wished us to expand our operations into further global markets, including Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and, of course, the ever-expanding Asian markets,” comments Frank Hayes, Director of Corporate Affairs at Kerry Group. 54 | The Ireland China Journal
Frank Hayes
Kerry Group
During the 1990’s, “we continued to expand our group businesses, both organically and through acquisitions across all geographical territories. We now have manufacturing operations in 25 countries and will have representative offices in a further 40 countries.” “It’s a global landscape, the top companies are global companies; they have their operations across all regions. On top of that, there are some really, really significant regional customers specific to those regional markets and indeed there are many strong indigenous companies in those individual markets,” Hayes comments. Kerry Group has been developing its business in China since the mid-90s, he says. “Many of our customers have moved to establish businesses there, so we would have supplied a range of ingredients and flavours to them.” “Subsequent to that, we acquired a number of businesses, initially from a base in Malaysia, where we now have five factories,” Hayes comments. By 2000, Kerry Group was “already looking at establishing a firm base in China itself to reach our growing customer requirements and indeed to meet the requirements of many Chinese customers we had developed a relationship with in that period of time.” Kerry Group established its first representative office in Shanghai in 2000, before acquiring a number of small businesses focused on its ingredients and flavours business in China itself. The Group now has four manufacturing facilities and over 400 employees in China. Most recently, it acquired a major facility in Nantong. “We have a major investment programme underway to establish state-ofthe-art manufacturing facilities.” Both the Group’s head office and its regional development and application centre are based in Shanghai. “That centre is there to meet the day-to-day innovation requirements of our customers in China.” As a B2B supplier of speciality ingredients, systems and flavours, the Group works with local and regional companies, as well as global branded food manufacturers and beverage companies that are in China. “It’s about
The sourcing of sustainable dairy raw materials from Ireland is hugely important and that has enabled us to develop a very strong nutritional positioning in China. providing access to all of Kerry’s breadth of technology and customising products to meet the specific customer’s requirements and to meet local tastes.” “We’re assisting local Chinese companies in terms of the development of their business and innovative food offerings and we’re also establishing helping the regional and global customers there to continue to customise products for the Chinese market.” The sourcing of sustainable dairy raw materials from Ireland is “hugely important and that has enabled us to develop a very strong nutritional positioning in China, not alone in the infant nutritional sector but also across all life stages, through young adults all the way to seniors,” he reveals. The Ireland China Journal | 55
Kerry Group
Each of those demographics have specific life stage requirements in terms of their nutritional products, with customers competing to ensure they have the most innovative products in the marketplace, Hayes explains. The whole area is nutrition is a major growth area, Hayes believes. “We’re in a position to exploit our sustainable raw materials sourced here in Ireland, but also the fact that our customers have unequalled service from Kerry and access to Kerry’s global technologies in positioning those products and in developing the most appropriate products for today’s market requirements.” China has a long, deeply-embedded tradition of food almost as the only medicine, Hayes comments. “There’s a firm belief in China in terms of the connection between food and general wellness. On top of that, food and beverage consumption is evolving to encompass Western foods, Western flavours and a broader global palate of food taste and flavours.” In summary, he says, “Kerry is the number one taste and nutrition company in the world, so we’re in a position to develop solutions to meet whatever positioning the particular customer wants in the marketplace.” Structured across three Business areas – Ingredients & Flavours, Consumer Foods and Agribusiness, the Group has a very strong market-focused team, Hayes says, in terms of market insights, consumer trends and consumer requirements, and “we bring that to the 56 | The Ireland China Journal
attention of our customers, and in turn that is the catalyst for the development of products.” Food service is a big, double-digit growing marketplace in China, and the nutrition space is probably the most sophisticated in the world, Hayes says. In terms of its infant formula and exploiting the Group’s sustainable raw materials from Ireland, “we are looking at premium categories. We have developed important partnerships in China, looking at not just at the Tier One cities, but also the Tier Two and Tier Three cities, where there’s a growing population and a growing middle class where food security and food safety are extremely important.” “There is a great reliance on companies such as Kerry to provide that food safety and assurance.” In 2012, Kerry Group entered into a partnership agreement with Beingmate for the supply of Irish dairy ingredients for infant nutrition applications in China. The Irish infant formula brand called “Green LOVE+” for the Chinese market is a 100% Irish product manufactured from Irish milk, which comes from Kerry Agribusiness suppliers. The first Irish indigenous company to manufacture finished infant formulas in Ireland, at its nutrition facility in Charleville, County Cork; the product has been designed for Beingmate. “We develop and manufacture the product for them and ship it to them. They’re the marketer and distributor.” The Group has transferred a lot of its key professionals from other parts of Kerry’s business out to the Asian marketplace, and specifically China, to help grow the business there. In turn, “we now have a very strong stream of talent coming through the business in China: graduates and professionals who have joined Kerry and are now very much part of the whole Kerry way of doing business and part of the Kerry family.” It’s about building up that Kerry passion for growth and that Kerry way of working, he says. “We have within Kerry a ‘One Kerry’ approach to how
Kerry Group
we operate and meet our customer needs. We have the same capability to meet those customer needs across those Asian countries now as we have in North America or here in Europe.” The days of just shipping products out of Ireland are long gone, he believes. “To have those partnerships, you have to have personnel and the capability and expertise established within that country, to grow the business and meet the day-to-day needs of your customers there.” From the outset, Kerry’s growth internationally has been a journey of progressive development, Hayes enthuses. “We started our business here as a daily cooperative back in the 1970’s so at that stage it was about trying to build a business out of Ireland, but by the 1980’s we realised we had to have established relationships within the marketplace, which initially brought us to the US, specifically Chicago, and simultaneously to Europe and to build our facilities there.” As a young company, that would’ve dried up all the resources of the company at that time and right through
until the mid-90s when we were in a position to expand into Latin America and continue the same journey and the same tried-and-tested Kerry growth story, he says, deploying the same expertise and exploiting it across a broader marketplace. “That led us to Asia by the late 1990’s. Since then we have been both deploying expertise from other regions, but also building up the native talent.” Customers will be aware of Kerry’s positioning in the world markets and they’ll be aware of our expertise, he says, but it takes time to build up those relationships. “That will lead to progressive establishment of a broader business base. We will broaden out into different categories of the food industry, at this stage we have a very strong presence in nutrition and beverage, food service; we’ve developed across the pharmaceutical landscape.” Starting out from a green field site in Listowel more than 40 years ago, the public company recently reported its “consolidated earnings for the entire Kerry business across the Asia Pacific region and we have achieved strong double digit growth again in 2014.” The Ireland China Journal | 57
Bord Bía
Business Booming at Bord Bía’s Marketplace Bord Bía Marketplace 2015 marks a new milestone in the progress of Irelands Food and Drink industry’s unique sustainability journey.
Aidan Cotter
58 | The Ireland China Journal
Bord Bía
The prospects for major business deals emerging from Marketplace 2015 have been greatly enhanced by the euro’s recent depreciation according to Bord Bia’s Chief Executive Aidan Cotter. Speaking at the Convention Centre Dublin today, Mr. Cotter said “Some 300, or 75%, of the overseas buyers in Ireland this week are from outside the eurozone, with their buying power boosted by the strength of sterling and the dollar, up 12% and 20% respectively against the euro compared with a year earlier. Combined with the lifting of milk quotas and the opening of the Chinese and US beef markets, the opportunity presented by Marketplace could not have come at a better time.” Over 500 food buyers from all around the world gathered in Dublin in March for Bord Bia’s fifth Marketplace event. The buyers, who travelled from over
“Some 300, or 75%, of the overseas buyers in Ireland this week are from outside the eurozone, with their buying power boosted by the strength of sterling and the dollar, up 12% and 20% respectively against the euro compared with a year earlier. Combined with the lifting of milk quotas and the opening of the Chinese and US beef markets, the opportunity presented by Marketplace could not have come at a better time.” 34 countries, met with 185 Irish food and drink companies, ranging in size and profile from small enterprises to The Ireland China Journal | 59
Bord Bía
multinationals through a series of over 5,000 pre-scheduled ‘speeddating’ style meetings. Opening the event this morning, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD welcomed the overseas buyers saying “Through your visits to Ireland, many of you will have seen how this is an industry where world-class commitments to quality and food safety are routine. From dairy, meat, ingredients and consumer foods to beverages, bakery, seafood and speciality foods – we share a commitment to produce food in a sustainable manner, supported by the world-class science and innovation.” In his address, Michael Carey, Chairman of Bord Bia referred to Marketplace as “a truly global, and even historic, event. This is the largest trade event ever run by Bord Bia, with over 530 buyers attending from 34 countries around the world. We have more than 100 buyers attending from Asia alone, and our guests from China represent the single largest trade 60 | The Ireland China Journal
Bord Bía
delegation from that country ever to visit Ireland” he said. Mr. Carey also highlighted the importance of the agri-food industry adding “food and drink is Ireland’s oldest and largest indigenous industry and our fastest growing export sector. Last year, Irish food and drink exports were worth over €10.5 billion and we are confident the industry will enjoy continued growth in the years ahead”. In addition to a strong representation of UK and European buyers, 106 Asian buyers have travelled to attend the event, compared to just 14 in 2012 when Bord Bia last held a Marketplace event. Meanwhile, 38 buyers from the Middle East will attend; 24 from North America; 15 from Africa and 12 from Russia. According to Bord Bia, there was a significant shift in the destinations for Irish exports in 2014 with international markets showing renewed growth, reflected in a 16% increase in trade to stand at €3 billion or 29% of Ireland’s total food and drink exports. The Ireland China Journal | 61
Bord Bía
Origin Green – Global Platform
During a lunchtime address, Aidan Cotter briefed delegates on how Bord Bia’s innovative sustainability programme is underpinning Ireland’s green image. “Marketplace 2015 also marks a new milestone in the progress of the industry’s unique sustainability journey. All 185 Irish companies are participating under Origin Green branding and are publicly promoting their commitments under the programme. Some 80% of Ireland’s food and drink exports are now coming from Origin Green member companies, 90% of beef exports are from farms audited and carbon footprinted under the programme while it is estimated that 95% of milk will be sourced from Origin Green dairy farms by the end of this year” he said. Bord Bia’s Origin Green programme sets out Ireland’s ambition to become a world leader in the delivery of 62 | The Ireland China Journal
sustainable, high-quality food and drink products. The programme is the first of its kind to be rolled out on a nationwide scale and Bord Bia believes it will be key in setting Irish food and drink exporters apart from their competitors. Almost three years since it launched, over 430 Irish food and drink companies, accounting for 90% of exports, have registered with the programme. Bord Bia has also undertaken more than 70,000 carbon assessments on Irish farms, with a current weekly average of 700 farms per week.
Next Steps
Bord Bia, in conjunction with the Irish food and drink industry, has put a rigorous follow up plan in place to assist companies convert the opportunities arising from today’s event to real, tangible business. ‘Follow Up’ sessions will take place in April and again in early May. www.bordbia.ie
Bord BĂa
The Ireland China Journal | 63
Enterprise Ireland
FDI in The Food Industry The Chinese market imports a high percentage of their food requirement and with a growing middle class populations, that percentage will only increase. The Irish agri-food sector is the largest export category for Ireland, with 90 per cent of outputs destined for consumption internationally. Ireland’s strengths in dairy and beef raw material supply, food research and innovation (R&I), and food safety systems, such as Origin Green – Ireland’s nationwide sustainability programme, can be the basis for potential partnerships.
64 | The Ireland China Journal
Enterprise Ireland
Enterprise Ireland’s role in the market is to actively pursue opportunities with Chinese food companies and secure greenfield / brownfield investments in Ireland or, alternatively, joint ventures for Chinese companies with existing Irish food companies. Joint ventures are appealing because both parties share the risk and the rewards, which fits with the Chinese relationship based methods of doing business. Chinese companies have been trading with Irish companies for many years, and are now looking at ways to strengthen that relationship and develop products suitable for the Chinese market on a JV basis: Infoant formula, Functional Cheese, Diary drinks for children, aging populations, etc. In terms of Dairy & Beef food security, Ireland is an attractive partner for companies in China is because of its predominantly pasture-led agricultural practices. The high-quality of our agricultural output is another positive attribute for Ireland, with world-class food production systems, as well as a good reputation for food safety and traceability. Ireland’s agri-food industry has set significant targets for future growth, and in order to achieve those goals, there has been ongoing investment by the State to support company development. The Irish Government’s investment in R&D at a university and company level is helping Irish companies to produce the right kind of products – unique products that can be localised for the Chinese markets. A number of Chinese Food companies have established R & D operations in Ireland. Ireland’s dairy industry holds the a lot of potential for investment / joint venture project growth in the Chinese
market, followed by other sectors like meat, meat products, consumer foods, and confectionary. In addition, there is potential in agri-services and food processing technologies, areas where Irish companies and organisations have a lot to offer partners in the Chinese Market” For Further information please contact Nick. Marmion@enterprise-Ireland.com
The Ireland China Journal | 65
PwC
Talent, Tax, Track Record Andrew O’Callaghan, Deputy FDI Leader for PwC and Joe Tynan, a partner in PwC’s tax practice, discuss how the professional services firm helps Chinese companies looking to do business in Ireland. The largest professional services firm in Ireland, PwC has eight offices and employs 2800 people of 34 different nationalities across the island of Ireland. Whether companies are looking to keep track of the numbers, make tax simple or need help adapting to changing operating environments, with a broad range of services on offer across audit, tax and advisory, PwC has a global network of firms with 180,000 people across 158 countries. Andrew O’Callaghan is Deputy FDI Leader with a particular focus on Asia, and an Asset Management Partner for the firm. Andrew has been actively involved in the Dublin Funds Industry since 1995 and has assisted many of the leading global players to structure products in Dublin. “The starting point for us within PwC Ireland is to position Ireland as the location of choice for companies regardless of the sector. Financial services is a very large sector within that spectrum and there are subsectors such as asset management and fund administration,” O’Callaghan comments. Ireland continues to attract some of the world’s most innovative companies, from start-ups to established international organisations, and has become best known for its technology, pharmaceuticals and life sciences and financial services experience. Financial services is an industry that employs 100,000 people, mostly non-Irish businesses, generally UK or US-based. PwC has been operating within that network to position Ireland as the place to do business since the 1950’s, the early days of FDI. 66 | The Ireland China Journal
“We’ve been using our contacts with PwC in the US to get access to companies and to work with IDA Ireland and others in attracting these companies to Ireland. Then they become longer term clients of ours as they grow in Ireland; we can support them as they grow in Ireland,” O’Callaghan explains. Joe Tynan is a partner in PwC’s International tax practice and has over 20 years’ experience in advising multi-nationals investing in Ireland on Irish, European and global structures. He works with companies coming into Ireland in all of the non-financial services sectors, specialising in assisting companies coming in from Asia to establish European headquarter operations in Ireland including structuring their Intellectual Property. He acts for a number of household names in the technology sector from the US and also acts for a number of Irish based multi-nationals, assisting these multi-nationals to structure their operations to benefit from beneficial Irish tax rates and to keep their world-wide tax rate to a low but sustainable level. The big areas of the Irish economy, aside from the financial services sector, that PwC focuses on are technology, which includes business services, pharmaceuticals, and food and agri. In 2013, Ireland secured 164 new investments and over 13,300 new jobs were created by foreign direct investment (FDI) companies. Tynan explains that PwC deals with all the major technology companies that have set up in Ireland. “We assist them with whatever new operations they want to set up in Ireland, how they operate in Ireland and how they operate in Europe.”
PwC
Joe Tynan
Andrew O’Callaghan
“We coordinate all of those services for them. We do the same for the major pharmaceutical companies that are here. We do everything from managing their payroll and doing their setup structures, employment and day-to-day operations.” Ireland’s three T’s: talent, tax and track record attract companies set on internationalising. Ireland’s workforce is well-educated and one of the youngest in Europe. Companies get access to the right people and a lot of companies using Ireland as a way to expand into Europe need people with different language skills. “Ireland does not have superbly different language skills, which differentiates us from everyone else in Europe, but what we do have is a relatively open economy, which is very attractive, to allow people to move here.” With its focus on Europe, when companies set up here, they’re able to get French speakers, Spanish speakers, German speakers, even Russian speakers, who come here because we have a very open system; they see we’re in the EU and that EU citizens can move here freely without visas. Companies have found that a very successful way of getting access to the right people.” For companies looking to grow or expand their operations, they’re “better off starting in Ireland, where they’re able to hire English-speaking people. Ireland and the UK become the two countries that make the most sense.”
“If you’re a Chinese company thinking of internationalising and setting up a headquarters of some sort in Europe, or Ireland, you’ll get the 12.5% tax and access to treaties.” “When we talk to Chinese companies, all of that makes sense. If we look at the companies that are here, they include six of the top 10 banks in the world and 14 of the top 20 asset management firms.” Ireland’s tax regime is one of the most favourable in the world. The tax answer lets them keep more of their money. “Notwithstanding that some other countries in Europe would have a lower tax rate, 10% tax rate compared to our 12.5% tax rate, Ireland has continued to be very competitive, and therefore Ireland becomes an obvious place.” “If you look at some of the large tech companies that have set up here, if you’re a smaller tech company you don’t have a lot of explaining to do if you go to your board and say ‘we’re thinking of setting up in Ireland’, because they look at the long list of companies that have come here beforehand. If you pick another country, that becomes a bit more challenging, you’ve got to explain it as to why you might do so.” There have been significant tax changes in the US and the UK, with the European Union looking at tax competition between countries. “Ireland has typically marketed itself as needing people on the ground here to benefit from the Irish tax regime. The Ireland China Journal | 67
PwC
Those tax changes should be positive for Ireland, it’s possible to employ people here, to get access to good resources.” In a lot of cases, it is not tax that’s the main driver for companies, some of which are early stage or loss making, so tax isn’t an issue, he says. “It’s the other factors that are very strong. Taken together, it’s certainly persuasive.” For the financial services sector, with the free trade agreement, “positioning yourself in Ireland also gives you access to the US market. By having a European headquarters here, you have immediate access to the European Union, but also longer term outside the EU to countries in mainland Europe, like Switzerland.” As well as being competitive on tax and talent, the cost of doing business in Ireland and its “extremely strong” track record are major draws. Every country, when they’re trying to attract in new business, is prepared to promise everything to people, they concede. However, “Ireland does promise a lot, but has managed to deliver on that. Many of the companies stay here, they tend to expand, because it’s delivered on its initial promise.” Strong diplomatic relations between Ireland and China has also been hugely important in attracting Chinese companies, O’Callaghan and Tynan concede. “It’s very important that there’s been a series of ministerial visits between Ireland and China. They see that as a foundation for business. One of the differences between business in China and other countries is the importance of building up strong relationships; it’s not very transactionalfocused unless there’s a relationship there.” Through the strong partnership between PwC Ireland and PwC China, which has a team of Mandarin speakers, PwC Ireland helps its colleagues in China with companies looking to internationalise. “We’re helping clients understand the tax regime and employment regime. We can help them in any part of the country.” PwC has offices throughout China, including offices in Beijing, Chongqing, Dalian, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Suzhou, Tianjin, Xiamen and Xi’an. Ireland was the birthplace of the aircraft leasing industry over 35 years ago. With nine of the top ten global lessors already located in Ireland, almost 80% of the country’s double tax treaties deliver a favourable withholding tax result for aircraft leasing companies. As the proven international centre of excellence 68 | The Ireland China Journal
with best-in-class support for the global aircraft leasing industry, “we’ve seen 16 financial institutions, be they banks or asset management firms, choosing Ireland as a location for aircraft leasing subsidiaries or as a location for asset management products.” As Chinese companies have looked to Europe, there is one group of companies that have focused more on Europe as a market and whether they can sell into specific countries. “They typically started by trying to compete on price. They’re not looking to make a profit, selling in at a loss initially, and building up market share.” When you go a year or two down the road, they’ve built up a market and direct sales channels into those different countries and they realise that long-term that’s not sufficient, as “customers don’t get the service and backup that they want.” “They start to consolidate that into a single sales entity. Companies have looked to do that then out of Ireland. They’re moving now to a stage where they want to consolidate all of those entities into one. They’re looking to operate out of Ireland.” The second group of companies coming out of China is looking for specific things like natural resources and they have a “significant interest in joint venture agreements or acquisitions of Irish food companies, particularly dairy companies.” “They’ve tended to depend on Australia and New Zealand, but they’re very conscious of trying to diversify away from a dependence on one market. We’ve worked with a number of the Chinese food companies engaged in that, with guaranteed supply agreements here, acquisitions and joint ventures.” Thirdly, technology companies either set up in Ireland, put a small R&D facility into Ireland, or have acquired smaller Irish companies, to use that technology back in China or use that entity as a front into Europe. “Some of the Chinese companies have found that it has been a challenge working directly from China, they can meet political or market resistance. Using an Irish company as an interface has made that process a little easier.”
Ireland’s proven track record • Top 10 global ‘born on the internet’ companies are all here • 9 of the top 10 global pharmaceutical companies are here • 50% of the world’s top banks are already here
Sino Irish Business Seminar
Minister of State Tom Hayes with the Chinese Ambassador to Ireland, His Excellency, Mr. Jianguo Xu.
Ahead Of The Curve The Sino-Irish Business Seminar gathered speakers of a very high calibre to deliver insights into doing business in China’s agri-food sector. The Dublin Chinese New Year Festival (DCNYF) presented the stimulating and informative Sino-Irish Business Seminar in February, tailored both for businesses with a foothold in China and those seeking to establish one. Presented in association with the Ireland China Business Association and sponsored by Arthur Cox Solicitors, the seminar was held at Dublin’s Westbury hotel and its fantastic line-up of speakers attracted a full house of more than 180 attendees. For the Year of the Sheep, the seminar 70 | The Ireland China Journal
focused on ‘The Agri Food Sector and the Chinese Market Opportunity: Insights and Experiences’. The seminar comprised of two sessions, each followed by a Q&A session. The introduction was made by Ken Duggan, Chairman of the Ireland China Business Association, and the opening addresses were made by the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Tom Hayes T.D. and the Chinese Ambassador to Ireland, His Excellency, Mr. Jianguo Xu.
Sino Irish Business Seminar
Dr. Brendan Halligan, Chairman of the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA), Ireland’s leading think tank on European and International affairs, chaired the Seminar. The first session was kicked off by speakers Michael G. Hanley, CEO of Lakeland Dairies, a major Irish dairy processing co-operative offering some 170 branded dairy products in over 70 countries worldwide and Patrick Wall, Associate Professor of Public Health in University College Dublin’s School of Public Health and Population Sciences. Professor Wall was the first Chief Executive of the Irish Food Safety Authority and one of seven non-Chinese nationals on the committee advising the Beijing Food Authority on food safety controls for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. They were followed by Pat O’Leary, International Business Development Manager at Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) and Professor Yvonne Scannell, a Professor at Trinity College Dublin’s Law School where she specialises in Irish and European Environmental Law and Policy. Prof. Scannell has extensive practical experience in environmental matters and has been a consultant to the Environmental Law Group at Arthur Cox since 1990. Caroline Keeling, CEO of Keelings, was the first speaker for the second session. Keelings, a 100% Irish-owned family business employing approximately 2,000 people, started producing fruits and salads in the 1930’s, supplying produce to local Dublin markets. Headquartered in Ireland, the business has operations in the UK and Europe, and is currently expanding into Asia. Keeling was recently named as the winner of the Pantene Business Award at the Irish Tatler Women of the Year Awards. Helen King, Head of Consumer Insight & Innovation at Bord Bia and Rory McDonnell, Insight & Innovation Specialist at Bord Bia, made a dual presentation. Backed up by a decade of client side marketing planning expertise at Cadbury and a Masters in economics, King has guided the success of many Irish brands and her initiatives – Bord Bia’s foresight4food, Consumer Lifestyles Trends programmes and futures work – further enhances Ireland’s standing as
His Excellency, Mr. Jianguo Xu.
a premium supplier of food and drinks worldwide. McDonnell is a talented and experienced marketing research, planning and innovation specialist, specialising in qualitative research. In a previous role, he managed the consumer planning function with Diageo across Europe. Dr Richard Murphy, Research Director at Alltech, was next up. Alltech is a global leader in the animal health and nutrition industry and among the top ten animal health companies in the world. With more than 3,500 employees and a presence in 128 countries, the company has developed a strong regional presence in Europe, North America, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Vincent Crimmins, Head of FX Strategy & Trading at Bank of Ireland Global Markets, was the final speaker, before the second Q&A session and closing remarks were delivered by Dr. Brenda Halligan. The Ireland China Journal | 71
Wilson Architecture
Think
BIG The demand for foreign designer goods in China extends to architectural design services. Wilson Architecture gained a competitive edge by promoting itself as an international firm with expertise in the pharmaceutical and life sciences market, managing director Frank O’Mahony tells Lynne Nolan. Cork-headquartered Wilson Architecture was established more than 30 years, with the innovative firm proceeding to win numerous national and international awards through the years. With particular expertise in the design of pharmaceutical and clean room facilities, Wilson Architecture has been involved with many of the major international pharma companies who have built facilities in Ireland. A number of pharmaceutical companies coming to Ireland set up in the Cork area and “we quickly got involved in doing some work with them,” recalls Frank O’Mahony, managing director, Wilson Architecture. These companies were to include big names: Pfizer, Novartis and Merck. 72 | The Ireland China Journal
“We’re still involved with those companies 25 years later so that has been a core part of our business since we were founded.” Starting out with the design of laboratory and administration buildings, the firm gradually progressed into production buildings, clean rooms and the masterplanning of those pharmaceutical facilities, he recalls. “The market in Ireland is relatively small, so to be a successful practise you have to do a variety of building types, from residential to commercial to educational.” The firm has been involved in the design and construction of a broad range of building types in Ireland, but also in the UK, Europe and the Middle East, from
Wilson Architecture
retail and educational to commercial and life sciences buildings, including Ireland’s tallest building, the Elysian Tower in Cork. Due to the downturn in the Irish economy, and in particular in the construction sector, the firm decided to look for opportunities abroad, O’Mahony explains. “We were aware of the scale of the construction market in China, and also the successes of international architectural firms in winning work there. We made a few exploratory trips to check out the market and after a period of to-ing and fro-ing we decided to open a branch office in Dalian, a second level city in the North East of China.” The city of Dalian is 6.5 million people, yet it is virtually unknown outside of China. This gives an idea of the scale of the market there, he says. “We would be one of the few international practises there. There are two or three other foreign firms, so we started getting work from local governments there initially.” “We deliberately stayed away from the large first tier cities like Shanghai and Beijing, as these are already awash with major international architectural practices, with whom we could not compete in scale of operation. In China there is a big demand for foreign designer goods and to a certain extent this also applies to architectural design services.” The firm, which won the Deloitte Best Managed Company in Ireland in 2009 and the design of the Irish Pavilion at the World Expo in Seville, first entered the Chinese market four and a half years ago. “We were quite successful early on in getting design work because there was a major demand for International design in China, from clothes and cars, right through to architecture.” The firm’s first competitive edge in China was being a European or international practise. “We didn’t sell ourselves as being Irish; everything that comes from Europe is considered high quality design.” During Wilson’s first two years in China, the firm – employing both Chinese and Irish architects at its Dalian office − was “lucky in getting design commissions from both Local Government and private developer clients.”
However more recently, the property market has declined significantly due to a lot of oversupply in both residential and commercial sectors, he says. An example of the downturn in the property sector is that a major high rise residential and commercial Frank O’Mahony development that the firm won the design commission for last year has been put on hold due to falling demand and prices for residential property. “These factors, along with a change in strategy from the Government to control the property market, has meant a re-look at our target sectors,” he says. The pharmaceutical sector is rapidly expanding in China, due mainly to the demands of a more affluent population and also because of the increasing occurrence of “Western” type illnesses, O’Mahony explains. In addition, the Government has introduced much stricter regulatory controls on Pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities in order to bring them up to international standards, he says. With the valuable help of Enterprise Ireland’s China office, “who have been quite good to us, helping us out, researching the market and offering support on the ground,” Wilson Architecture has promoted its Pharma facility design skills in China, learned over many years in the Irish Pharma sector. Last year the firm was awarded a contract to design a number of Laboratory and Office buildings for Qi Lu Pharmaceuticals, a major manufacturer in China, with construction expected to start in May. Qilu is developing a major new greenfield biopharma campus in Jinan, and Wilson Architecture has been awarded the design of all the front-of-house buildings, it was announced during President Michael D Higgins’s State visit to China in December. The Ireland China Journal | 73
Wilson Architecture
“This is a major coup for us. They’re the fifth largest pharmaceutical company in China. If we do a good job then it will be very good for our profile in China.” Wilson Architecture is doing the concept and preliminary design stages, with a Local Design Institute completing the construction documentation stages of the project. “This is standard practice in China, in that foreign firms are not allowed to do the construction stages due to complex local regulatory requirements,” he explains. “Foreign firms cannot do what we call construction drawings in China. You can only do up to what are called preliminary designs, so a stage after the Irish equivalent of, say, planning permission level.” The preliminary drawings are then sent over to a local design institute, a firm of Chinese architects, who do the construction drawings because the regulations in China would be very different to the building regulations in Europe, he explains. “At the moment, we’re just completing the preliminary design stage now and we’ll be handing over to the local design company but we will be supervising their designs for the next three or four months as well.“ O’Mahony views the pharmaceutical sector as one of huge potential within China. “The Chinese are experiencing more of what we would call Western ailments at the moment, due to the growing middle class and the all the problems that go with that.” Diet and health-based ailments 74 | The Ireland China Journal
have also boosted demand in the Western world for Traditional Chinese Medicine, herbal-based. For Chinese manufacturers to gain access to that international market, they need to comply with the FDA standards for manufacture and production of drug products, or the SFDA, the Chinese government’s regulatory authority, he explains. “In the last two years, they are insisting that all manufacturing facilities achieve international standards and the issue is that a lot of them don’t have the experience in how to achieve that. We have a lot of experience dealing with Pharmaceutical GMP Standards and FDA-approved companies, and that’s where we see a market for our type of expertise.” Wilson Architecture has also been involved in a design review for Samsung in Korea for a new facility, reviewing existing drawings and designs for laboratories, O’Mahony reveals. The firm also won another competition for a high rise twin tower development in Dalian; for which “Americans, French, Austrian architects” were also competing. However, “after construction started the project was put on hold due to the downturn in the residential market; that is actually endemic in China at the moment.” In the future, “we feel we’ll concentrate on the pharmaceutical and life sciences market as it’s a growing sector and it has to happen, because of the demographics of China with its
Wilson Architecture
more affluent and ageing population and the requirements for a new spectrum of medical drug products” Discussing the impact of the recession in Ireland, O’Mahony says the firm was “not as badly affected, as we had diversified our work across a variety of building types. When the housing market collapsed, we still had the retail and pharmaceutical sectors, which kept us going; we planned very well ahead.” The principles of Feng Shui play a major part in the design of buildings in China, O’Mahony explains. Every stage, from the site master planning to the arrangement of internal spaces is guided by long-established ancient beliefs that orientation will bring good luck to the owners, and harmony and good fortune in the operation of the buildings and spaces. “These fundamental beliefs can be difficult for foreigner designers to understand and it is common practice to have Feng Shui experts vet the designs for compliance with these principles.” “The business model in China is also totally different from what we are used to in Europe. It is very bureaucratic and can be quite frustrating until you understand and accept how it works. One of the much spoken about requirements of doing business in China is the need to develop strong relationships with possible business contacts before getting work,” he says. “This is definitely the case, but we have also found that once the contacts are established, they are often not long-term, because there is a very high incidence of people changing positions, companies changing direction, and often a lack of project management systems that would nominate key decision makers within company structures.” China is a huge market, and companies are often blinded by the possibility of major sales opportunities for products and services, he warns. As managing director at the Cork and Dalian offices, O’Mahony has been spending up to 40% of his time in China and 60% in Ireland. Asked what advice he would give to other Irish firms
looking to enter the Chinese market, he says it is vital to properly research your target sector in relation to your USP, and also to ensure that your company has the ability to put staff on the ground for a number of years in order to establish a presence there. “The biggest advice I could give is that the key people in a company have to spend time out there, on the ground, in order to gain both experience and build the confidence of your prospective customers. It’s a considerable investment both in personnel and time. If people are not prepared to do that, the China market is not for them.” Firm should also have “a unique selling point, because so many foreign companies are there trying to get a foothold in the market. Differentiate yourself.” A lot of businesses in China would not be long-established because they have been trying to adapt and evolve in the constantly expanding market over the past two decades. Many local businesses are still growing and thus lack the experience international companies have, therefore like Wilson Architecture, other Irish firms should promote themselves as being international. “We’re international. Irish companies often don’t think of themselves as international. Think big. Promote yourself as a company with longstanding experience in your area.” The Ireland China Journal | 75
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines flying double daily from Dublin to Istanbul Murat Balandi, General Manager for Ireland, Turkish Airlines says - “Dublin Airport facilitated 21.7 million passengers in 2014 and is serving 161 direct destinations worldwide. Over the past three years in Dublin on average we increased our flight capacity by 30% each year. We have had consistent growth in the Irish market which is directly related to the niche destinations we fly within our 267 destinations globally”. “In 2014, we saw our passenger numbers increase by 21% from January to 76 | The Ireland China Journal
December, compared to the same period in 2013. Istanbul as a destination for long weekend breaks is becoming more popular and we have seen great growth in our leisure market to South Africa and Thailand as well as in the corporate market to Middle East and Far Asia. Turkish Airlines has increased its service from Dublin to Istanbul by an additional 2 flights per week from 29 March 2015, leading to a total of 14 flights per week. The new flights brought to service from Dublin to double daily which will
Turkish Airlines
improve domestic and international connections for our Irish passengers”. “Turkish Airlines continues to achieve great success, and is one of the fastest growing airlines in Europe. For the fourth consecutive year, we were chosen as the ‘Best Airline in Europe’ at the 2014 Skytrax World Airline awards. Turkish Airlines currently fly to 109 countries - which is more than any other airline across the globe.” “We are delighted that Turkish Airlines has decided to go double daily on its Istanbul route,” said Dublin Airport Managing Director, Vincent Harrison. “The airline has gone from strength to strength since it started flying from Dublin to Istanbul almost 10 years ago. This increase in frequency by Turkish Airlines will see improved connectivity between the two cities giving both leisure and business passengers increased flexibility for travel onto their extensive network from Istanbul,” Mr. Harrison added.
Vincent Harrison, MD, DAA and Murat Balandi Country Manager Ireland, Turkish Airlines
The Ireland China Journal | 77
Shangri-La Hotels And Resorts
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts Pudong Shangri-La, East Shanghai – in a class of its own
Inspired by the legendary land featured in James Hilton’s novel Lost Horizon published in 1933, the name Shangri-La encapsulates the serenity and service for which Shangri-La is renowned worldwide. Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is Asia Pacific’s leading luxury hotel group and regarded as one of the world’s finest hotel ownership and management companies. The Shangri-La story began in 1971 with its first deluxe hotel in Singapore. Today, there are 81 hotels and resorts throughout Asia Pacific, North America, the Middle East and Europe, representing a room inventory of over 34,000. In addition, new hotels are under development in Canada, mainland China, India, Mongolia, the Philippines, Qatar, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom. The five-star Pudong Shangri-La, East Shanghai is one of the most highly regarded deluxe properties of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific’s leading luxury hotel group. Since it opened in August 1998, the hotel has received several awards and accolades for its fine service and facilities. With the addition of its Grand Tower in September 2005, Pudong Shangri-La, East Shanghai has been elevated to a class of its own, recognised the world over. 78 | The Ireland China Journal
Shangri-La Hotels And Resorts
Comprising two towers – River Wing and Grand Tower – the hotel showcases spacious, well-appointed rooms and suites with views overlooking the historical Bund, the mighty Huangpu River, as well as of the futuristic Pudong financial district cityscape. The Grand Tower, designed by New York-based architect Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF) and unveiled in September 2005, features 375 rooms and suites, including the Premier Room, which offers 54 square metres (581 square feet) of comfortable space. Located between the Grand Tower and the River Wing, which houses 577 rooms and suites, are a range of trendsetting designer restaurants and bars, comprehensive meetings and conference facilities with two of the city’s largest ballrooms, CHI, The Spa, two health clubs, two swimming pools and a floodlit outdoor tennis court.
Rooms and Suites
The hotel comprises a luxurious collection of stylishly appointed guestrooms and suites in two distinct wings: the 577-room classic River Wing and the 375-room contemporary and exclusive Grand Tower. All rooms showcase panoramic views of the Bund, the Huangpu River or Pudong’s spectacular skyline. The Grand Tower epitomises the very best in luxury living and provides some of Shanghai’s most luxurious and spacious accommodation. The hotel is also home to the Horizon Club, which offers the most discerning traveller a higher level of comfort, attention and personalised service. All rooms enjoy the full array of Shangri-La amenities, which include complimentary in-room wired Internet and Wi-Fi access, 32-inch LCD screen television and 24-hour room service.
Who’s Who At Pudong Shangri-La, East Shanghai Peter Clarke, General Manager Peter is no stranger to Pudong Shangri-la, East Shanghai as he held the position of hotel manager until 2012. During that time, he spearheaded extensive preparation for Shanghai’s 2010 World Expo, hosting over 50 state guests at the hotel. In 2012, Peter joined Kerry Hotel Pudong, Shanghai as general manager, where he led the team to successfully reach a new service level and good brand awareness within the industry landscape. After graduating in hospitality management in
Ireland, Peter began his first managerial position at the front desk of an international hotel in San Francisco, California. This mapped his journey within the hospitality industry where his experience spanned across 5-star luxury hotel brands. While steadily rising through the ranks, Peter’s career brought him from London, the United States, Indonesia, Thailand, China and Hungary. Peter returned to China for his second stint in Shanghai in 2009 with the Shangri-La group. A native of Ireland and citizen of the United States, Peter is joined in Shanghai by his wife Mary and their two sons Aiden (6 years) and Liam (12 years). Outside of the hotel, the self-proclaimed wanderlust counts cooking, playing the guitar, cycling as his favourite pass times, besides spending time hanging out with his boys.
The Ireland China Journal | 79
Dublin Chinese New Year Festival
The Year of the Sheep The 2015 Dublin Chinese New Year Festival brought together some of China and Ireland’s finest talent from the worlds of art, literature, food, music and business for celebrations in the capital.
80 | The Ireland China Journal
Dublin Chinese New Year Festival
T
he 2015 Dublin Chinese New Year Festival (DCNYF), one of Dublin’s biggest annual celebrations, held a wealth of colourful events for all the family to the city from February 14 to 28. The Festival, hosted by Dublin City Council, showcased how Dublin has become a dynamic, inclusive and intercultural city. Now in its eighth year, the Festival rang in the Year of the Sheep, the lucky eighth sign of the zodiac, with a programme packed with art, music, food, sports, films and lectures celebrating the sounds, sights, tastes and culture of China. Lord Mayor of Dublin Christy Burke said Dublin City Council was delighted to host a festival which “showcases how Dublin has become a dynamic, inclusive and intercultural city.” Burke acknowledged the “valuable contribution our Chinese community has made to the city” and said the Chinese New Year Festival activities were an opportunity to “celebrate and to learn about the wonderful traditions of a very ancient culture.” The Festival welcomed the new Chinese Ambassador to Ireland, His Excellency Jianguo Xu and wished him luck and success in the years ahead, as Sino-Irish relations continue to grow in Ireland and China. Irish knitwear designer Lainey Keogh was joined in conversation by Deirdre McQuillan, Fashion Editor of the Irish Times, in the beautiful surroundings of the Irish Georgian Society on February 14, as part of the Lecture Series in celebration of Chinese New Year. Keogh became an international success after marrying her creative talents and an insatiable love of wool. She was awarded the Prix de Coeur by Christian Lacroix for her work and John Galliano used her textiles as part of his AW98 Haute Couture collection for Christian Dior. To celebrate Chinese New Year 2015, the Gallery of Photography in Temple Bar presented the first exhibition in Ireland of work by Beijing artist Qingsong Wang, one of China’s most innovative contemporary artists, with a talk and opening reception on February 15. Wang’s large colour photographs embody an insider’s perspective on
China’s whirlwind transformation into a global economic superpower. Born in the north-eastern province of Heilongjiang in 1966 – the same year as Mao launched the Cultural Revolution – Wang’s artworks are inspired by his own experiences of what are among the most dramatic social transformations in recent world history: the post-Mao economic opening to the west; massive migration from the countryside to the rapidly growing urban centres; and the enthusiastic embrace of global consumer culture in contemporary China. Working like a film director with vast sets, Wang constructs elaborate, richly detailed scenarios involving a large cast of actors and many props. His approach combines a wealth of references to traditional Chinese art with a decidedly modern, cinematic scope. Everything is Possible features eight of Qingsong Wang’s large-scale photo works, among them a new diptych completed only last year. A video work ‘Skyscraper’ is also included. This wry take on the building boom held particular resonance for Irish audiences. A series of behind-the-scenes short documentaries delivered insights into the artist’s production process. President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina Higgins attended the 2015 Spring Festival Gala at the National Concert Hall on February 16, hosted by the UCD Confucius Institute for Ireland ((CII). China’s Ambassador to Ireland, His Excellency Jianguo Xu and his wife Madam Li Ni were also among the audience of 1200 gathered to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The Spring Festival Gala was comprised of two parts: the UCD CII Chinese performance and a special guest appearance by the Red Poppy Ladies, China’s first female percussion band. The show opened with a rendition of the classic Chinese song, Love, and the recent pop hit Little Apple, performed by university students and students from Jesus and Mary College taught by the UCD CII. On the eve of Chinese New Year, the Well Wishing Ribbon Ceremony & Carnival took place, with ceremonial floating lanterns on the River Liffey and live Dragon dancing and entertainment on the bridge. Audiences were invited to come along and The Ireland China Journal | 81
Dublin Chinese New Year Festival
Ken Duggan and Susan Barrett ICBA with guest speakers at the CNY Business Seminar at the Westbury Hotel.
tie red ribbons to the bridge and hang their special wishing cards inscribed with their hopes and dreams for the year ahead. On New Year’s Eve, up to 800 million viewers − the largest audience of any TV show in the world − watch the CCTV New Year’s Gala, also known as the Spring Festival Gala. The festival, in association with the Chinese Students & Scholars Association Ireland, presented a live screening of the event at DIT’s Grangegorman Campus, providing a unique opportunity to ring in the New Year among the Chinese Community and watch some of China’s best traditional performances. 82 | The Ireland China Journal
The DCNYF Sino-Irish Business Seminar, presented in association with the Ireland China Business Association and sponsored By Arthur Cox Solicitors, was held at the Westbury Hotel on February 18. Stimulating and informative, the business seminar was tailored for both those who are already active in this market and those seeking Chinese Market entry. For the Year of the Sheep, the seminar was focused on the agriculture and food sector. Guest speakers included Aidan Walsh, managing director of Texacloth and Caroline Keeling, CEO of Keelings. This year’s New Year’s Day Carnival was bigger than ever, taking over Meeting House Square and Curved Street in Temple Bar, and extending to Barnardos Square, hosting authentic Chinese performances with Dragon and Lion Dances, Irish Dragon Boats, Tai Chi and Martial Arts displays, traditional Chinese music, dance and karaoke. Lunar Feasts took place around the city with a selection of Dublin’s finest Chinese and Asian restaurants offering set-price menus, while a tour of the Asia Market on Drury Street in the capital on February 20 allowed participants to learn the basic ingredients required to prepare and cook an authentic Chinese meal. At the Lord Mayor’s Lecture, popular culture expert Sir Christopher Frayling
Dublin Chinese New Year Festival
discussed his recently-published book The Yellow Peril: Dr Fu Manchu and the Rise of Chinaphobia. In The Yellow Peril, Christopher Frayling draws on an impressive range of cultural references – fiction, film, theatre, music-hall, TV and playground doggerel – to plot the emergence of sinophobia in Britain, and to argue for its ongoing resilience today. Other festival speakers included Dr Xin Sun, Assistant Professor in Chinese Studies (Political Science) at Trinity College Dublin, who gave his audience the opportunity to learn about land policy and development of the real estate market in China. In 2013, novelist Denyse Woods was invited to take part in a two-month Writer’s Residency in Shanghai, organised by the Munster Literature Centre and the Shanghai Writers’ Association. In her entitled Autumn in Shanghai at the Chester Beatty Library on February 26, Denyse gave a personal account of her time in China, during which she was fortunate to work with a number of local writers and academics including Prof Dai Cong Rong, who is translating Finnegan’s Wake into Chinese; and the renowned Shanghai novelist Wang Anyi. The festival hosted Ji Liu’s first concert in Dublin at The Sugar Club. The Shanghai-born pianist started playing the piano at the age of three and studied in some of the world’s most distinguished music conservatories earning a reputation as one of the most promising pianists of his generation. Last year his debut Piano Reflections was released by Classic FM and immediately went on to become No.1 in the classical charts. The lecture-recital ‘A Singer’s Odyssey – From Ireland to China’ with mezzosoprano Prof. Dr. Aylish Kerrigan, Mezzo-Soprano and prize-winning solo pianist Dearbhla Collins, explored the experiences of Irish-American mezzo-soprano, Dr Aylish Kerrigan, in establishing a career in contemporary Irish music and German Lieder in China over the past 21 years. Presented by the Irish-Chinese Cultural Society in association with the United Arts Club,
musical examples were performed live together with one of Ireland’s most famous accompanists, Dearbhla Collins. Film screenings this year included Hero (2002) and Fei Mu’s Spring in a Small Town (1948), which is considered by many as one the finest works from the first great era of Chinese filmmaking. Workshops at the Chester Beatty Library included monoprinting based on Chinese Zodiac Signs and painting inspired by the Chinese art of papercutting with Dutch-Chinese artist HoiShan Mak, while Mandarin language tours and Chinese Astrology Readings with Ting-Foon Chik were also on offer. Dublin City Public Libraries offered free classes for adults in making pictures in wool and silk, hongbaos (red envelopes), red money bags, treasure boxes, lanterns and Chinese Kites. The Hugh Lane Gallery was the location for a series of art events including the ‘Shengxiao – Chinese Zodiac Animals’ sketching workshop and the ‘Ba Ba Any Colour Sheep’ and ‘Magical Sheep, Chinese Dance Puppets’ workshops. For sports fans, the festival hosted the seventh edition of the Chinese Students & Scholars Association (CSSA) Sports Tournaments in badminton, soccer and basketball. President Michael D Higgins sent his best wishes to all members of the Chinese community in Ireland as they commenced the Year of the Sheep. “A highlight of my presidency last year was my State Visit to China. I was greatly moved by the warm welcome extended to me and to my wife Sabina by the Chinese people. It was an uplifting reminder of the close connection and friendship that our two nations enjoy.” “The Sheep is a symbol of peace and harmony. The Chinese community in Ireland makes a great contribution to our country, and I am confident that you will continue to play an important role in building and enhancing the warm and harmonious relations which exist between our two nations. May I wish you all a happy and prosperous new year.” The Ireland China Journal | 83
Book Review
Poetic Champion
Wang Ronghua’s ABC of Sound Meters in Chinese Poetry makes a task that might seem impossible to non-Chinese speakers – understanding beautiful Chinese poetry – become a reality. Wang Ronghua never fails to deliver. The author of ABC of Sound Meters in Chinese Poetry has held a number of impressive roles during his fascinating career to date. Ronghua, who turns 70 later this year, served as China’s Ambassador to Iceland between 1998 and 2002 and has held a series of senior positions including Vice President of the Shanghai Institute of International Finance from 2002 to 2005. He currently advises businesses in China. Born in Shenyang, in the Liaoning Province, Wang was educated at the Beijing Foreign Trade Institute (now the University of International Business and Economics), a military farm and the Beijing Foreign Languages Institute (the Beijing Foreign Studies University). 84 | The Ireland China Journal
He has worked as English to Chinese translator on publications including Leon Uris’s Topaz, Howard Fast’s The Second Generation, Charles Higham’s biography The Life of Katharine Hepburn and John Russell Taylor’s biography The Life and Times of Alfred Hitchcock. To add to his publishing prowess, he writes both in English − The Story of China Studies is his previous book – and in Chinese, with his earlier publications including The Journey of Six Masters in Unhurried Steps and A Country of Ice and Fire - Iceland. In his latest book, Ronghua celebrates how poetry has evolved from the Odes or Poetry, the earliest collection of Chinese
Book Review
poems and songs dating from the 10th to the 7th century BC and the stylistic development of poetry since then, consisting of both literary and oral cultural processes assigned to certain eras, corresponding with Chinese Dynastic Eras. The book actually rewords a textbook called “Shēng LǜQǐ Méng” and written as 《声律启蒙》, written by Ché Wànyù (车万育，1632-1705) of the Qīng Dynasty, used as a children’s primer and listed Ministry of Education since September 2012 as one of the key texts for educating primary school schools in China. It also one of the Headquarters of Confucius School’s recommended texts for its foreign students. Popular among children, it not only provides forms of rhyme, but also gives numerous examples of poetic lines, using them in content with topics including astronomy, geography, flowers, forest, birds and animals. As human beings, we have lived with some kind of poetry for thousands of years, and in this book Ronghua shows how the characters should be understood in accordance with how they arranged. Put simply, his straightforward explanations enable readers with an interest in Chinese poetry to improve their understanding of this ancient art. The book explains how to read Chinese poetry and how they rhyme, providing 30 groups of characters with the same pronunciations, which are frequently used in end rhymes. Within each groups, samples of various length of lines are given. The samples are rich in content with the Chinese pronunciation marked alongside their English translations. Whether singing the praises of emperors and kings, recording
anecdotes of scholars or recited or sung as folklore, songs and ballads, the beauty of the sounds of Chinese poetry is conveyed, and the publication is an essential read for anyone wishing to discover more about Chinese culture. Crucially, it makes a task that might seem impossible to nonChinese speakers – understanding and appreciating Chinese poetry – ancient Chinese poetry in particular, become a reality. Wang Ronghua’s website: www.readchina8.com. The Ireland China Journal | 85
Useful Contacts
Useful Contacts The Ireland China Business Association
Jennifer Condon Ireland China Business Association 28 Merrion Square Dublin 2 Tel: +353 1 6424178 Email: info@irelandchina.org Web: www.irelandchina.org
Enterprise Ireland
Beijing office c/o Commercial Section Embassy of Ireland C612A Office Building, Beijing Lufthansa Centre No: 50 Liangmaqiao Road Chaoyang District Beijing 100125 People‘s Republic of China Gary Fallon, Director - Greater China Tel: +86-10-8448-8080 Email: gary.fallon@enterpriseireland.com
Enterprise Ireland
Shanghai office Consulate of Ireland & Commercial Section Commercial Section Suite 700A, West Tower, Shanghai Centre 1376 Nanjing Road West, Shanghai 200040 Jonathan Nie, Marketing Advisor - Industrial Tel: +86-21-6279-7088 Email: jonathan.nie@enterpriseireland.com
Enterprise Ireland
Hong Kong office 2107 Tower 2, Lippo Centre 89 Queensway Hong Kong SAR People’s Republic of China Patrick Yau, Financial Services Tel: +852-2845-1118 Email: patrick.yau@enterpriseireland.com
86 | The Ireland China Journal
Enterprise Ireland
Ireland Office Philip G Singleton Market Adviser China, Japan & Korea Tel: +353-1-727- 2713 Fax: +353-1-727-2083 Philip.Singleton@enerpriseireland.com Xiaojing Yue China Market Adviser Tel: +353-1-727-2013 Fax: +353-1-727-2083 Email: XiaoJing.Yue@enterpriseireland.com
Diplomatic and Consular Information for China
Embassy of Ireland – Chancery (For Visa Office see below) Embassy of Ireland 3 Ritan Dong Lu, Beijing 100600, People’s Republic of China Tel: (+86 10) 6532 2691 or 6532 2914 Email: beijingembassy@dfa.ie Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 9:30 - 12:30, 14:00 - 17:00 Web: www.embassyofireland.cn
Embassy of Ireland - Visa Office
Ta Yuan Diplomatic Office Building 2-11-1 14 Liangmahe Nanlu, Beijing 100600 People’s Republic of China Tel: (+86 10) 6532 6945 or 6532 6971 Email: irishvisabeijing@dfanet.ie Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 9:30 - 12:30, 14:00 - 16:00
Consulate General of Ireland, Shanghai Suite 700A (WestTower), Shanghai Centre 1376 Nanjing Road West, hanghai 200040 People’s Republic of China Tel: +86-21-6279 8729 Email: shanghai@dfa.ie Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 09.30 – 12. 30 14.00 – 17.30
Visa Section Opening Hours: 09.30 am - 12.30 pm (Monday - Friday) Phone enquiries 02.30 pm - 04.30 pm (Monday - Friday)
Honorary Consulate of Ireland
Hong Kong Suite 1408, Two Pacific Place 88 Queensway, Hong Kong Tel: +852-2527-4897 Web: www.consulateofireland.hk
Tourism Ireland Beijing Office
Room 1170, 11/F, Tower A, Gateway, North Road East Third Ring, No 18 Xiaguangli, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100027 People’s Republic of China Tel: +86 10 5923 1008 Email: info@tourismireland.com.cn Web: www.discoverireland.com
Tourism Ireland - Shanghai Office
Suite 700A, Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nanjing Road West, Shanghai 200040, People’s Republic of China Tel: +86-21-62798729
Chinese Embassy
40 Ailesbury Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Ireland Email: pa.chineseembassy.ie@gmail.com For visa, passport & other consular affairs inquiry: chinaemb_ie@mfa.gov.cn Ambassador’s Office Tel: 01-2691707 ext 1 Political Section Tel: 01-2601707 ext 4 Administrative Office Tel: 01--2691707 ext 5 Counsular and Chinese Citizen Protection Tel: 01-2691707 ext 3 Mobile: 0872239198
Useful Contacts
Economic and Commercial Counsellor’s Office
77 Ailesbury Road,Ballsbridge,Dublin 4,Ireland Tel:01-2600580 Visa Section 118 Merrion Road, Dublin 4, Ireland Tel: 01-2196651 (3-4pm from Tuesday to Thursday) inquiry email: chinaemb_ie@mfa. gov.cn Education Section 77 Ailesbury Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 Tel: 01-2603906 Culture Section 77 Ailesbury Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 Tel:01-2697852 Science and Technology Section 26 Ailesbury Road, Dublin 4 , Ireland Tel: 01-2691501 Defence Section Tel: 020 -77947595 Email:defence_chn@yahoo.co.uk Address: 25 Lyndhurst Road, Hampstead,London W2 3LH
China Council for the Promotion of International Trade 1 Fuxingmenwai Street, Beijing 100860, P.R.China For International Relationship: Tel: 86-10-88075650 Fax: 86-10-68017153 E-Mail: zhangxin@ccpit.org For General Office: Tel: 86-10-88075305
Bord Bia China
Bord Bia - Irish Food Board (Shanghai) 733 Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nanjing West Road, Shanghai 200040 China Tel: +86 21 6279 8900
IDA Ireland China Office
Beijing Office Joanne Zhou IDA Ireland 3 Ritan Dong Lu, Beijing 100600, China Tel: 0086 21 8531 6256 Brian Conroy Director Asia Pacific Shanghai Office IDA Ireland Suite 655, Shanghai Centre 1376 Nanjing Road West Shanghai 200040, China Tel: +86 21 6279 8500 Haibo Lu Shenzhen Office Level 15, Tower 2 Kerry Plaza No.1 Zhong Xin Si Road Futian District Shenzhen 518048 China Tel: +86-755-33043090, +86-75533043093
Irish Chamber of Commerce China
membership@irishchamberchina. com www.irishchamberchina.com
Irish China Network
www.irishnetworkchina.com
GAA Clubs in China
Beijing GAA Beijing, China Founded 1997 Men’s & Ladies’ Football Black & Red www.beijinggaa.org pro.beijing.asia@gaa.ie Canton Celts Guangzhou, China Founded 2009 Men’s Football www.cantoncelts.com pro.guangzhou.asia@gaa.ie
Dalian Wolfhounds Dalian, China Founded 1995 Men’s & Ladies Football Club Colours: Yellow, Blue, White www.daliangaa.com pro.dalian.asia@gaa.ie Hong Kong GAA Hong Kong, China Founded 1995 Mens, Ladies & Juvenile Football Club Colours: Red, Green, White www.gaa.hk pro.hongkong.asia@gaa.ie Shanghai GAA Shanghai, China Founded 2002 Men’s & Ladies’ Football Club Colours: Light Blue & Navy www.shanghai-gaelic.com pro.shanghai.asia@gaa.ie Shenzhen Celts Shenzhen, China Founded 2004 Men’s & Ladies’ Football Club Colours: Black & Red www.szcelts.weebly.com/index. html pro.shenzhen.asia@gaa.ie Suzhou Eire Og Suzhou, China Founded 2008 Men’s & Ladies’ Football Club Colours: Blue & White www.suzhougaa.com/ pro.suzhou.asia@gaa.ie
The Ireland China Journal
Suite 127 Grange Hill, Baldoyle Ind Park, Baldoyle, Dublin 13, Ireland Tel: +353 (0) 1 806 3000 Fax: +353 (0) 1 806 3001 Int: +353 1 8063000 Email: dermot@theirelandchinajournal. com Web: www.theirelandchinajournal.com
The Ireland China Journal | 87
Dates for your Diary 2015
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2015 BEIJING
Date
BMEXPO China 2015 - The 9th China International Building Material Technology & Equipment Expo 2015 The 6th China (Beijing) International Organic Food and Green Food Expo 2015
2015/04/27 2015/04/29 2015/05/12 2015/05/14 015/06/12 IF China 2015 - The 5th China International Import Food Exposition 2015/06/14 2015/06/12 FCE 2015 - The 5th China (Beijing) International Food and Beverage Expo 2015/06/14 BITE 2015 - Beijing International Tourism Expo 2015 & The 12th Interna2015/06/26 tional Exhibition for Business & Leisure Tourism 2015/06/28 CIFBF 2015 - The 7th China (Beijing) International Food and Beverage Fair 2015/07/03 2015 2015/07/05
SHANGHAI China Packtech & Foodtech 2015 IE Expo 2015 SIAL Wine World 2015 WindPower 2015 - The 7th World Wind Power Conference & Exhibition 2015
SHENZHEN 2015EtExpo - 2015 Shenzhen International Power Industry, Electric Transformer Exhibition Touch China 2015 - The 8th International Touch Screen Technology & Equipment Exhibition (Shenzhen) Vision China Shenzhen 2015 IA Shenzhen 2015 - The 19th Industrial Automation Shenzhen 2015 Intertextile Pavilion Shenzhen 2015 - Shenzhen International Trade Fair for Apparel Fabrics & Accessories Home Furnishing Expo 2015 - Shenzhen Hometex 2015 (August) Asia Card & RFID Expo 2015 - The 7th Asia Smart Card and RFID Technologies Exhibition & Trade Show
Date 2015/05/06 2015/05/08 2015/05/06 2015/05/08 2015/05/06 2015/05/08 2015/05/20 2015/05/22
Date 2015/05/26 2015/05/28 2015/06/25 2015/06/27 2015/07/01 2015/07/03 2015/07/01 2015/07/03 2015/07/09 2015/07/11 2015/08/07 2015/08/09 2015/08/20 2015/08/22
GUANGZHOU
Date
The 18th China International Home Medical Health Care Recovery Products & Instrument Expo 2015
2015/04/16 2015/04/18
GAFF 2015 - China (Guangzhou) Int’l Agricultural and Forestry Machinery Export Fair
2015/05/09 2015/05/11
88 | The Ireland China Journal
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Issue 2 2015 - ISSN Print 2009-7417 (Digital Copy online ISSN 2009-7425)
THE IRELAND CHINA JOURNAL – CONNECTING THE CONNECTED IN CHINA AND IRELAND
THE IRELAND CHINA JOURNAL CONNECTING THE CONNECTED IN CHINA AND IRELAND
ISSUE 2 2015 - ISSN PRINT 2009 -7417 (DIGITAL COPY ONLINE ISSN 2009 -7425)
President Michael D. Higgins meets Chinese Premier Xi Jinping on State Visit.
MASSIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR IRISH FOOD IN CHINA // MINISTER COVENEY TRADE MISSION // KERRY GROUP // TD PAT BREEN TOURIST VISA // MINISTER JAN O’SULLIVAN PROMOTING IRISH UNIVERSITIES IN CHINA // WILSON ARCHITECTS // NEWS // CONTACTS AND MUCH MORE....