Northern Ireland Minister says there needs to be 'balance' in approach to trade with China - Homepage - Waterford News & Star

Northern Ireland's Minister for the Economy has said there needs to be a "balance" between "economic opportunity" and "upholding our responsibilities and values" when it comes to trading with China.

Caoimhe Archibald is embarking on a five-day trip on Monday to build business and economic ties between Northern Ireland and the world's second-largest economy.

The visit is billed as shining "a spotlight on the north's strengths in education, trade, tourism and our screen industries".

I think it's important that we engage, because there is a significant opportunity to grow our exports and to make those connections, and to have that opportunity to go out and do that face-to-face engagement

But with China's human rights and environmental records frequently raising serious concerns, there are questions as to whether this is the right market to focus on.

Ms Archibald said she will use the trip to raise "issues of concern", something she says she has done on previous visits.

She said despite these concerns there is an economic argument for building further ties with China, adding: "I think it's important that we engage with China on the same basis that we approach all our international engagement, so advancing our economic interests, but upholding our values and responsibilities as well."

The minister said her team is developing an "ethical investment framework" based on UN principles which will "guide all of our investment and trade relationships" and which will undergo a public consultation process.

The trip will include representatives from Invest NI, Tourism Ireland, NI Screen and local universities, and will involve events in Beijing, Shenyang, Dalian and Shanghai.

Ms Archibald said: "I think it's important that we engage, because there is a significant opportunity to grow our exports and to make those connections, and to have that opportunity to go out and do that face-to-face engagement."

Last year €1.43 million (£125 million) worth of goods were exported fr