On Wednesday evening, 10 October 2007, Ambassador Zhang Xinsen hosted his farewell reception for the Diplomatic Corps in Ireland at his residence. Over 80 people including Ambassadors, senior diplomats as well as distinguished guests from the local community made presence to the reception.

His Excellency Mr. Giuseppe Lazzarotto, Dean of Diplomatic Corps, bid Ambassador Zhang a warm farewell with his emotional remarks. "Remembering with pleasure the time brief as it may have been that you have shared with us in Dublin, we now say farewell as you prepared to return to your homeland. And we join to the farewell our very best wishes for yourself, for all those who have dear to you and for the success of future beauties that await you. All the best, Your Excellency."

Ambassador Zhang extended his hearty thanks to all the friends present at the reception, especially to those from the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment as well as Enterprise Ireland. "It is always hard to say goodbye to my friends from the diplomatic community and from the local community. Unfortunately, that is what diplomatic life is all about." Ambassador said, "Without your firm support, I could not have fulfilled my glorious mission as Ambassador in such a successful manner." He also recalled his happy stay in Ireland, "I must say how much I have enjoyed my time here and how deeply I have been impressed by what the Irish people have achieved over last decades." He spoke highly of the bilateral relations between China and Ireland, which serves as a good example of building partnership between countries of different scale and of different cultural background. To conclude his speech, Ambassador Zhang said that he was looking forward to the 2008 Olympic Games. "The Chinese people are doing their best to make it a most memorable one in the Olympic history. I am extremely happy to have the opportunity to contribute my bit to the preparation for the Games."

Finishing his term of office in Dublin of nearly two years, Ambassador Zhang will depart Ireland in late October and take his new post in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in Beijing. (End)

Warm farewell remarks from Dean of Diplomatic Corps

Ambassador Zhang delivered farewell Speech

Ambassador with the Politcal Director (right) and Economic Director (left) from Department of Foreign Affairs

Memorable Occasion