Cringe-worthy awkward moments (gaffes) when Irish politicians and media expose China ignorance

1. Language skills

Actually, Ireland in Chinese has three syllables… Ai Er Lan… Just like home indeed Mr. Minister for Tourism and Transport!!

2. Geography

Awkward moment here for Irish Independent writer Donal Lynch…. The photo is of Taipei’s 101 Tower in Taiwan, not mainland China… so much for thorough desk research, checking sources and all that.

3. Exaggeration

Ireland's Food and Drink Agency, Bord Bia, promotes Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Eamon Gilmore to Prime Minister (总理) in China food promotion — Ireland’s Food and Drink Agency, Bord Bia, promotes Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Eamon Gilmore to Prime Minister (总理) in St. Patrick’s Day China food promotion

4. Impressions

“You Irish velly gud at software”

– The remarkable comment in 2011 by leader of Micheál Martin, leader of Fianna Fail, Ireland’s catch all centrist populist party.

5. Pretending

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji’s visit to Ireland in September 2001:

“I really wish the prime minister Ahern Bertie would stop saying ‘tanks tanks tanks’. He’s overdoing this Tiananmen protest stuff.”

Source: Torture of a Chinese PM http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/torture-of-a-chinese-pm-26250637.html