Ambassador of Ireland to China Nicholas O'Brien (2nd from right) has an exchange session with students at the Beijing Foreign Studies University, on June 23, 2025. Photo: Courtesy of the Embassy of Ireland in China

Ambassador of Ireland to China Nicholas O'Brien visited the Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) on June 23 to further promote cultural exchanges and mutual learning.  

Zhao Gang, a member of the standing committee of the CPC BFSU committee and vice president of the university, hosted the embassy delegation. Zhao briefed the ambassador on the university's efforts in the discipline's development, talent fostering, and international exchanges. Reviewing the achievements from cooperation with Ireland in recent years, he expressed gratitude to the embassy's support in enhancing the cooperation between BFSU and Irish universities and enterprises. BFSU looks forward to further deepening cooperation with Irish counterparts, said Zhao. 

The ambassador affirmed the progress made, saying that he is grateful to BFSU's endeavor in teaching and researching Irish language and culture. He said that the Embassy of Ireland will continue its support to the development of BFSU's Irish Studies Center, and the embassy is committed to further promoting cultural exchanges and mutual learning between China and Ireland.

After the meeting, the ambassador visited the library, School of English and International Studies, as well as the Irish Studies Center of BFSU. Ambassador O'Brien also had discussions with the students on topics of China-Ireland cultural interaction, the development of Irish literature in China, Irish music, and language resources. The ambassador donated books to the Irish Studies Center, which is the first multidisciplinary and comprehensive research institute on Irish issues in China. 

"I was also delighted to donate several books by Irish authors to the Irish Studies Center. I hope they will enrich the students' studies and stimulate even more interest in Ireland," said the Ambassador.