On October 29, Ambassador He Xiangdong went to Áras an Uachtaráin to pay a farewell call to President Michael D. Higgins.
Ambassador He conveyed President Xi Jinping's greetings to President Higgins. He thanked President Higgins and the Irish government for their strong support for his work, and said that under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Higgins, China-Ireland relations have maintained a steady momentum. China is willing to work with Ireland to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, and promote China-Ireland strategic partnership for mutually beneficial cooperation to a new high.
President Higgins asked Ambassador He to convey his best wishes to President Xi Jinping. President Higgins highly appreciated Ambassador He's work in promoting Ireland-China relations during his tenure in Ireland, and wished him all the best. President Higgins spoke highly of Ireland-China relations, saying that Ireland attaches great importance to its relations with China and is willing to further promote mutually beneficial cooperation with China in various fields and deepen the friendship between the two peoples.