Shotlist Dublin, Ireland - Feb 17, 2025 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland) 1. Various of Irish government buildings, Irish national flag, flag of European Union Beijing, China - Jan 6, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland) 2. SOUNDBITE (English) Micheal Martin, Irish Prime Minister (starting with shot 1/partially overlaid with shot 3): "That's very valuable and we're very appreciative of the extension of that. In fact, I met with airlines this week as well also who have direct flight to Dublin about four times a week. We're now looking to see can we help them to expand that and increase the connectivity, because that would create opportunities for students, create opportunities for people to visit and tourists and so on, but also for business people and make it far easier for the people-to-people connections." ++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++ 3. Various of interview in progress ++SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE++ Dublin, Ireland - Nov 28, 2024 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland) 4. Irish parliament building, river 5. River; traffic on bridge Dublin, Ireland - Jan 2026 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland) 6. Various of flag of European Union, Irish national flag, Chinese national flag Storyline While appreciating China's recent move to extend unilateral visa-exemption arrangements for more than 40 countries, including Ireland, to the end of 2026, Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin hoped to further facilitate people-to-people exchange with China. Martin paid a state visit to China from Jan 4-8. In an interview with the China Central Television (CCTV) on Tuesday, he said "That's very valuable and we're very appreciative of the extension of that. In fact, I met with airlines this week as well also who have direct flight to Dublin about four times a week. We're now looking to see can we help them to expand that and increase the connectivity, because that would create opportunities for students, create opportunities for people to visit and tourists and so on, but also for business people and make it far easier for the people-to-people connections." China's foreign ministry announced on Nov 3 that the country will extend its unilateral visa-exemption arrangements for more than 40 countries to Dec 31, 2026. Under the policy, holders of ordinary passports from those countries, including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland and Hungary, will be exempted from visa requirement if they enter China for the purpose of business, tourism, family or friend visits, exchange and transit. They can stay in China for no more than 30 days without visa.