The Consulate General of Ireland in Shanghai threw a reception to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day last Monday night. Expat and local guests, many of whom dressed up in green clothing or shamrocks, joined each other in the ballroom at the Regal International East Asia Hotel.

Saint Patrick's Day became an official Christian feast day in the 17th century to commemorate Ireland's foremost patron saint, and eventually was made into an official public holiday in Ireland in 1903. It is also celebrated globally by citizens of Irish heritage, especially in Great Britain, Canada, and the United States.

"Saint Patrick's Day is an occasion for the Irish people and our diaspora around the world to celebrate our culture, heritage, and values, and we are very honored to do so in Shanghai," said Consul General of Ireland in Shanghai, Austin Gormley, who wore a bright green tie to the event.

He pointed out that Ireland has enjoyed a very close and friendly relationship with China, and that in 2012 the two countries formed a strategic partnership. Ireland was supportive of China's admittance into the United Nations in 1971, and has been consistently supportive of China's engagements in multilateral relations and tackling global challenges.

"Following challenging years, we had the fastest rate of growth in the European Union in 2014, at 5 percent, and we expect to maintain this lead position this year," Gormley said, noting that total bilateral trade with China is now over 8 billion euros ($8.66 billion).

Gormley added that Ireland's food sector enjoys a deservedly growing reputation in China, which has become its second largest export market for dairy products and other food ingredients. Some of the products, such as pure milk by Avonmore, were sampled. One of the evening's more popular sampled products, Murphy's Irish Stout, was encouraged by two "beer maidens" dressed up as green fairies.

"We offer an excellent location for investment within the European Union, and we are keen to attract more Chinese companies, including from the information technology and financial sectors," said Gormley.

He acknowledged state agencies Enterprise Ireland, Industrial Development Agency, the Irish Food Board and Tourism Ireland, who were represented at the reception, for working very hard to develop business relationships in China.

"I am proud that we hold an Irish week in Shanghai every year to celebrate our culture, sports, and business links," Gormley said. "I'd like to warmly acknowledge the tremendous effort of all community organizations and our local counterparts in promoting Irish culture and promoting friendly exchanges with Shanghai."

Austin Gormley, Consul General of Ireland in Shanghai

 

Gormley toasts with Chinese guests and officials at the reception.

 

A "beer maiden" pours Irish Stout for guests.

Photos: Liao Fangzhou/GT