On September 15, Liu Xiaoming, Governor of Hainan Province, met in Haikou with a delegation from County Wicklow, Ireland, led by Caroline Winstanley, Cathaoirleach (chair) of Wicklow County Council.

Liu welcomed Winstanley and her delegation and updated them on the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP). He emphasized that Hainan would maintain its commitment to openness, inclusiveness, and mutual benefit, while deepening healthcare cooperation with County Wicklow. It will also expand educational exchanges, jointly develop green and low-carbon industries, and strengthen sister-city relationships. Additionally, the province aims to promote high-level mutual visits, regular consultations, and information sharing, and to organize activities such as academic seminars, student exchanges, joint training, cultural performances, intangible cultural heritage events, tourism promotion, and people-to-people programs. These efforts aim to strengthen cultural ties, build public support for friendship, and promote the development of China-Ireland relations at the sub-national level.

Winstanley noted that since County Wicklow and Hainan established friendly relations, the two sides have exchanged resources and utilized their strengths, resulting in increasing benefits for their people. She highlighted the promising progress and outlook of the Hainan FTP and hoped the meeting would further leverage their advantages, deepen friendship, and explore new areas of collaboration. She emphasized the importance of closer cooperation in key sectors such as culture and education, healthcare, film and television, island tourism, youth exchanges, and sustainable development to strengthen bilateral collaboration.

Cai Qiang, Secretary-General of the People's Government of Hainan Province, attended the meeting.