Looks like the Irish immigration service has some good information:
http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/visa-long-family-irish
I could not find the specific information you need (nothing on UK residency for a Chinese citizen), but try contacting them here:
Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service
Department of Justice and Equality
13-14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2
Ireland
D02 XK70
Email: burghquayregoffice@justice.ie (if you live in Dublin)
Email: gnib_dv@garda.ie (if you live outside Dublin)