Direct flights from Hong Kong to Ireland would really see bilateral trade take off, says Irish consul general

Ireland's top diplomat in Hong Kong hopes to establish the first direct flights from the Emerald Isle to the city of skyscrapers in a bid to see bilateral relations soar to new heights.

"My number one ambition here is to get a direct flight between Ireland and Hong Kong," said Peter Ryan, the first Irish consul general in Hong Kong.

"There are more than 50 flights a week to Britain and it's about time there was a flight to Ireland. It [would] open up tourism and education, and a whole bunch of areas for fresh food."

Ryan took up the post last August and today he officially opens the consulate in Central, where he will announce the doubling of the quota - to 200 - for Hongkongers who want to go to Ireland on a one-year working holiday visa.

"We want to encourage young people to look at Ireland," he said, for university studies and postgraduate opportunities. "Also, Hong Kong students can work for a year after they complete their studies so we are very open to this."

There are currently fewer than 50 Hong Kong students in Ireland, and an even smaller group of Irish students who come to Hong Kong, so Ryan is keen to grow this segment.

The timing of the consulate opening comes as Ireland rebounds from years of negative growth and as it strengthens its trade ties with the mainland - a relationship that is worth €8 billion (HK$70 billion).