Ireland and China deepen ties in science, pharma, and innovation

Ireland and China have strengthened their collaboration in science, technology, and innovation over the past decade. Agreements between universities, joint research funding, and high-level policy discussions have deepened ties between the two nations. In 2018, several Irish higher-education institutions signed partnerships with Chinese universities. These agreements focused on joint research centres, staff exchanges, and shared funding initiatives. That same year, a EUR 150 million cross-border growth fund was launched by Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) and China's CIC Capital to support companies seeking market access in both regions.

Since the mid-2010s, Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) have co-funded research calls in priority areas. A revised Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on science, technology, and innovation cooperation took effect in July 2019, with a Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) mechanism guiding implementation.

The pharmaceutical sector remains a key focus of cooperation. Ireland, the world’s third-largest pharmaceutical exporter, hosts 90 pharmaceutical companies, including Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. Both firms are expanding their Irish manufacturing capacity to supply GLP-1 medicines to markets like China. In January 2026, Taoiseach Micheál Martin met President Xi Jinping in Beijing, where Martin highlighted Ireland’s exports of medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and computer services, while Xi emphasised AI, the digital economy, and health as areas for further collaboration. Ireland’s approach to China balances security and competitiveness, with strategies like the National Life Sciences Strategy and the National Semiconductor Strategy reflecting this dual focus. The growing partnership in pharmaceuticals, biomedicine, and technology continues to drive mutual economic and research benefits.