The President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, and Sabina Higgins have visited the famous Sun Yat Sen museum in Shanghai today.

The visit marked that of the famous Irish playwright and intellectual, George Bernard Shaw, in February 1933.

President Higgins met academics who are active in the Irish Studies Network in China. The network promotes an understanding of Irish literature, culture and society among participating Universities and also friendship and understanding between Ireland and China.

The President said: “This is an occasion to not only recall the seminal role played by these historical figures but also an occasion to assert the importance of international exchanges of ideas.”

“I would like to salute all the academics and students in the Irish Studies Network who are here with us this afternoon. Shaw recognised no boundaries in the commitment to international solidarity. I believe that your interest in our culture as well as the revived interest in your great civilisation currently manifest in Ireland, offer a robust and fruitful base for the future of Irish and Chinese relations.”

George Bernard Shaw visited Song Qing Ling at her home as part of a short visit to Shanghai which also included a meeting with the press and an address to Chinese writers at the Pen Club.

Shaw and Song Qing Ling were also joined by notable writers and intellectuals such as Lu Xun and Cai Yuanpei and discussed social and political issues of the day.

For CRI, this is Wuyou reporting from Shanghai.