On Saturday, 12th May 2007 H.E. Mr. Zhang Xinsen,Chinese Ambassador to Ireland, hosted a special reception at his residence for the representatives and their children from the Irish-Chinese Contact Group (ICCG).

Ambassador Zhang was anxiously expecting his guests at the door long before the reception took place. "Welcome to my residence." Ambassador waved to the giggling Chinese girls and their parents when they came up through the shadow of the trees on Ailesbury Road under the beautiful sunshine of the Irish summer. "How are you keeping, Ambassador." The kids surrounded Ambassador Zhang and greeted him in cute English. "Wow, Clare, look at you. Much taller than last time I saw you." Ambassador touched the head of Clare McKernan, one of the kids, while talking to her parents. "Come on in and enjoy the reception." Ambassador led the guests into his residence.

ICCG is a non-official Irish organization which came into being spontaneously and deals with the adoption of Chinese children by the Irish people. It was founded in 2000 by Anne McKernan and her husband with the other two families in Cork and called "Cork Chinese Contact Group" at the very beginning. Hence, the group grew very fast due to the increasing families who adopted Chinese child. Now its membership families is over 400 and locate all over Ireland. It has appointed regional representatives in each HSE area to help adopters and to organise events. Since the year of 2004, ICCG made its annual Chinese New Year Dinner the most influential and splendid event, which gave the adopted Chinese children the best opportunity to learn about the Chinese culture and custom.

By giving his welcoming remarks Ambassador Zhang said, "Thank the benevolent and warmhearted Irish people for giving these children the family care. These kids are very lucky because their parents are the most kind, sincere and great people in the world." Speaking on behalf of the guests Anne McKernan, the founder and former chairperson, gave her thanks to Ambassador for his invitation and hospitality. She said, "These children make our lives completed and fulfilled. We are the people who should feel lucky. Thank China for giving us such lovely kids and they are our dearest love. We will try our best to tell them that they are Chinese and they should be proud of this."

Before the ending of the reception, every child got a surprise from the Ambassador-a lovely Panda toy. Their smile and joyful expression told that how much they enjoyed the wonderful time.