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Chinese Premier Li Qiang is set to visit the Republic of Ireland next week.

Mr Li leads the country's government and is the second-highest ranking official in China's political system

A close ally of President Xi Jinping, he was appointed to parliament last year, having previously served as Communist Party leader of the country's biggest city, Shanghai.

During the pandemic he oversaw Shanghai's strict lockdown, which led to some residents struggling to access food and medical care.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Leo Varadkar said he is "looking forward to extending a warm welcome" to Mr Li on his first visit to Ireland.

"It comes in a year in which we will mark 45 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries," Mr Varadkar said.

"China is one of the world's great powers politically and economically and I am glad that Premier Li has decided to include Ireland in his itinerary."

The two leaders are expected to attend a working lunch at Farmleigh House in Dublin where they will discuss global issues, bilateral issues and EU-China relations.

"China is an important economic partner, a permanent member of the UN Security Council and has a huge role to play in overcoming the shared challenges the world faces, including working for peace and security in the world and ensuring we stop climate change," the taoiseach added.

"I look forward to what I hope will be an in-depth and constructive discussion on issues where we are of like mind, as well as those on which we have a different perspective.”