Ireland, set to assume the rotating presidency of the European Union on July 1, is expected to help shape a more sustainable trade framework between the EU and China, said Taoiseach Micheal Martin on Tuesday.
At the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Martin visited China from Jan 4 to 8, making him the first European leader received by China in 2026. In addition to meetings in Beijing, he also traveled to Shanghai.
Against the backdrop of rising geopolitical competition, complex shifts in transatlantic relations, and short-term policymaking tendencies in some European capitals, Martin's visit has drawn particular attention as a potential stabilizer in EU-China relations.
In an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG) during his visit, Martin emphasized competitiveness and dialogue when asked how his country intends to leverage its upcoming EU presidency to rebalance and guide the union's policy approach toward China.
"I think fundamentally one of the key themes for Ireland's presidency would be the competitiveness of the European Union, about what measures can we take to enhance the competitiveness of the European Union. And one area, which is ongoing and the commission is leading on this, is the simplification of regulation and that we need to ensure that investment can happen within Europe, but also that we can create a sustainable framework between Europe and China in terms of trading issues. Europe has issues, China has issues. We are both concerned with economic security, industrial resilience, self reliances, things are natural sort of concerns," he said.
Ireland's PM looks to steer EU-China relations toward sustainable trade framework
The Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is emerging as a key engine for China's fast-growing low-altitude economy by leveraging its dense industrial networks, efficient logistics systems, and rapid innovation capacity.
From logistics and manufacturing to urban services, the region is building an integrated industrial chain that allows low-altitude industries to scale up at unprecedented speed, thus turning drone-based applications from isolated trials into large-scale, commercial operations.
China's 15th Five-Year Plan, covering 2026 to 2030, calls for the cultivation of new pillar industries and the accelerated development of strategic emerging industrial clusters, including the low-altitude economy.
At a drone operations center in Bao'an District, Shenzhen City in south China's Guangdong Province, a dozen logistics drones take off and land within minutes. Urgently needed production parts, documents, and small parcels are dispatched from here to cities in the province including Dongguan, Zhongshan, and Zhuhai.
Behind these high-flying aircraft lies what observers describe as an "invisible industrial chain", built on speed and efficiency.
"Look at this aircraft. About 90 percent of its components come from nearby areas. Relying on Shenzhen's strong logistics capabilities and its complete supply chain, these parts can be delivered to our factory within half an hour for assembly, processing, and production," said Li Kunhuang, person-in-charge of Shenzhen GODO Innovation Technology Co., Ltd.
Once a new product is unveiled, testing and calibration begin immediately at the drone testing field. As soon as the process is completed, the new models can be put into real-world operation, realizing almost “zero delay” from research and development to application.
Supported by a robust industrial chain, low-altitude routes in Shenzhen are effectively connecting the urban landscape. From its Bao'an District to Songshan Lake in Dongguan City, production components can be delivered within one hour. Supplies are transported between Zhuhai City's Xiangzhou Port to Dong'ao Island in just 25 minutes. And light industrial goods can travel round-trip within a single day between Guzhen Town in Zhongshan City and Xinhui District in Jiangmen City.
More low-altitude application scenarios are expected to be implemented in the near future.
In Qianhai District, Shenzhen is accelerating the construction of a pilot demonstration zone of low-altitude integrated three-dimensional transportation hub.
"We have built the country's first low-altitude integrated three-dimensional transportation hub, and are gradually developing a pilot flight zone that integrates multiple scenarios such as inspection, logistics, and cultural tourism. This will provide technical support for the next step of commercializing cross-border logistics and emergency rescue services across the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area," said Wu Xuemin, head of the Shenzhen Qianhai Low-Altitude Integrated Three-Dimensional Transportation Hub Pilot Demonstration Zone.
Integrated supply chains propel Greater Bay Area's low-altitude economy growth
