Dublin City Council voted last night in favor of twinning with Beijing.

It is hoped the move will open up business opportunities with the city which has a population of 22 million.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Gerry Breen said that Cork's twinning with Shanghai has made it one of the top ten destinations in the world for Chinese people to visit.

He said “The symbolic act of friendship will create a positive climate of confidence and enthusiasm in the future and lead to real business being done between Ireland and China.”

Dublin is currently twinned with San Jose, Liverpool and Barcelona.