From August 18 to 20, 2015, Vice Minister of Culture of China Mr. Yang Zhijin on invitation led a delegation to visit Northern Ireland. He met Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure of Northern Ireland Ms. Carál Ní Chuilín and co-signed with her the MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND THE N.I. EXECUTIVE ON THE PROMOTION OF CULTURAL COLLABORATION EXCHANGE. During the trip, Yang Zhijin also visited several local cultural facilities.

At the meeting, both sides made positive comments on the significant implication of China-UK Year of Culture Exchange as well as the sound development of cultural exchange between China and Northern Ireland. It was emphasized that both culture are rich in diversity and there should be more cooperation in many aspects. Yang Zhijin indicated that Northern Ireland has unique strength in artistic design, creative industry, and tourism culture, etc. and wished that signing of the MoU would provide an opportunity for both sides to strengthen institutional and personell exchange and bring more pragmatic results to bilteral cultural cooperation. Carál Ní Chuilín stressed on fairness and inclusiveness of public cultural service and wished to enhance mutual exchange and experience sharing with the Chinese side in this regard so as to introduce more exchange programs beneficial to both peoples.

Chinese Consul General in Belfast Wang Shuying, Minister Counsellor Xiang Xiaowei from Chinese Embassy in UK and Director of Northern Ireland Bureau in China Tim Losty attended the above mentioned activities.