Chinese Ambassador to Ireland, His Excellency Mr. Zhao Xiyuan, Visits UCD Professor Da-Wen Sun’s Research Laboratories

On 15 July 2025, a senior delegation from the Chinese Embassy in Ireland, led by His Excellency Mr. Zhao Xiyuan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Ireland, paid an official visit to the Food Refrigeration and Computerised Food Technology (FRCFT) Laboratories at University College Dublin (UCD). UCD FRCFT is directed by Professor Da-Wen Sun, a member of the Royal Irish Academy, Academia Europaea, the Polish Academy of Sciences, and other distinguished academies. The visit reaffirmed the long-standing collaboration between China and Ireland in food science, innovation, and higher education.

H.E. Ambassador Mr. Zhao Xiyuan and Professor Da-Wen Sun in front of the UCD Agriculture & Food Science Centre

The distinguished delegation included Ambassador Zhao Xiyuan, Science and Technology Counsellor Ms. Liu Yan, Education First Secretary Ms. Zhu Xikun, and other embassy staff.

Group photo in front of the UCD Agriculture & Food Science Centre (Front row, second from left to right: Ms. Liu Yan, Counsellor for Science and Technology; Professor Da-Wen Sun; H.E. Mr. Zhao Xiyuan, Ambassador of China to Ireland; Ms. Zhu Xikun, First Secretary for Education)

A Meaningful Tradition of Diplomatic Engagement

Over the past many years, it has become a valued tradition that each newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Ireland makes time—normally in the first year of their term—to visit Professor Sun’s laboratory. Despite the demands of diplomatic service, these visits reflect the Chinese Embassy’s long-standing support for scientific research and its recognition of the strategic importance of food technology and academic exchange.

The Chinese Embassy delegation in the meeting room

This most recent visit by Ambassador Zhao continues that meaningful tradition, further highlighting the Embassy’s commitment to advancing China–Ireland cooperation in science, technology, and education.

Showcasing Advanced Technologies for Smart and Sustainable Food Systems

During the tour, Professor Sun and his research team presented UCD’s latest innovations in intelligent and sustainable food processing technologies, including:

• Vacuum Rapid Cooling, for improved freshness and extended shelf-life of perishable produce;
• Terahertz (THz) Technology, for non-invasive structural and compositional analysis of food materials;
• Hyperspectral Imaging Systems, for real-time, non-destructive food quality inspection and classification;
• Microalgae Cultivation using nitrogen-rich dairy wastewater, enabling biomass production and environmental remediation.

H.E. Ambassador Mr. Zhao Xiyuan and Professor Da-Wen Sun in the laboratory

The visit featured live demonstrations of vegetable rapid cooling, THz-based food scanning, hyperspectral image capture and analysis, and microwave-vacuum drying systems. The delegation expressed strong interest in the practical applications of these cutting-edge technologies for the global food industry.

Strengthening Educational and Scientific Partnerships

Ambassador Zhao Xiyuan expressed his sincere admiration for the innovative work led by Professor Sun. He commended Professor Sun’s groundbreaking contributions to food engineering, especially his international leadership in food safety and technological innovation. The Ambassador noted the laboratory’s strong impact on addressing global food challenges through high-level scientific research.

In response, Professor Sun extended heartfelt thanks to Ambassador Zhao for visiting the laboratory amid a busy diplomatic schedule. He also expressed deep gratitude to the Chinese Embassy in Ireland for its continued recognition and support of his work over the years. As he emphasized, the tradition of each newly appointed Ambassador visiting his lab reflects the Embassy’s enduring encouragement and commitment to fostering excellence in international research collaboration.

Professor Da-Wen Sun introduces his published books to H.E. Ambassador Mr. Zhao Xiyuan

Currently, Professor Sun supervises eleven PhD students from China, supported by the China Scholarship Council (CSC) under the UCD-CSC Joint Programme — a long-term partnership that has nurtured high-level talent and mutual understanding between the two countries.

An Enduring Commitment to Excellence and Cooperation

This high-level visit once again underscores the Chinese government’s strong emphasis on scientific research and innovation, particularly in the fields of food safety, sustainable technologies, and high-level talent development. It also highlights the strategic importance of international collaboration in addressing shared global challenges.

H.E. Ambassador Mr. Zhao Xiyuan and Professor Da-Wen Sun in Professor Sun’s office

University College Dublin continues to grow as a globally recognized hub of excellence in food engineering research and education, and this visit reflects the long-standing support of the Chinese Embassy in Ireland for advancing academic exchange and technological progress. It further affirms the international recognition of Professor Sun’s leadership in the field and the sustained efforts of his research team to harness cutting-edge technologies that contribute to safer, smarter, and more sustainable food systems worldwide.