Last minute preparations are being made for the visit of one of the world’s most powerful men to County Clare today – the Chinese Vice President.
Mr Xi Jin-ping who’s expected to become President of the People’s Republic of China later this year will jet into Shannon Airport at 4.30 this afternoon where he’ll be greeted by the Tainaiste before meeting with representatives of Shannon Development.
The Vice President will also attend a dinner at Bunratty Castle hosted by Eamon Gilmore tonight while events planned for tomorrow include visits to Sixmilebridge and the Clffs of Moher.
Professor Deirdre Hunt of the School of Asian Studies at UCC says the time being spent here by Xi Jin-ping is a real coup for the Clare economy