Joe McHugh T.D., Ireland's minister for education and skills, said, "This is the 10th anniversary of the Global Greenings event and coincides with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ireland and China."

"We appreciate very much Beijing's support and cooperation in having the Badaling Great Wall of China join the global greening this March," said the minister, "This year, 18 landmark buildings in Ireland went red in honor of China's Spring Festival, our friendship with the Chinese people and the twinning relationship between our cities, including our capital cities Beijing and Dublin, and Shanghai with Cork."