First Minister Alex Salmond and Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang held top level discussions in Beijing yesterday to discuss how relations between the two nations can be taken to the next level, with both whisky and salmon on the agenda.
Date:
Tue, 06 Dec 2011
Source:
Scottish Government
Scottish Government:
Website
The men were looking to identify further business and cultural links to build on those already made earlier this year when Vice Premier Li visited Scotland with an official delegation from the Chinese Government to undertake an extensive tour of business and industry.
Mr Salmond said: "Once again I am struck by the warmth shown towards Scotland by Vice Premier Li and the Chinese government and impressed by his knowledge of Scotland and the genuine interest in enriching our relationship.
"The timing of our meeting allowed me to thank him in person for the generous gift of the giant pandas, Tian Tian and Yang Guang, who are already enormous celebrities in Scotland.
"Our meeting follows on from Vice Premier Li's visit to Scotland in January which was a great success, and today's discussions focused on how we can build on that dialogue.
"Scotland's reputation as a nation of quality and tradition is one upon which we are continuing to build and it is clear that since our first meeting in January, we have made significant progress on links between our two nations. We have seen major success in sales of both salmon and whisky to China.
"However, we also have a strong and vibrant history of being a land of innovation and invention and during my discussions with Vice Premier Li we discussed those opportunities for our two countries to collaborate on knowledge sharing, particularly in renewables.
"I was delighted that the Vice Premier agreed to support developing relationships between Scotland and China in the fields of healthcare, water management and infrastructure and aviation connectivity.
"We also discussed the Eurozone crisis, food and drink, including salmon and whisky exports and our cultural relationship, highlighted by the Scottish Ten Eastern Qing Tombs digital mapping. This relationship is justified by results and is growing ever stronger."
During the January visit, the First Minister and Vice Premier Li welcomed an agreement to grant an export health certificate which permitted direct exports of Scottish salmon exports to China and since then Scottish salmon producers have secured major sales to the nation.
Whisky sales have also increased, following last year granting of GI status for Scottish whisky.
Also this weekend Edinburgh Zoo saw the safe delivery of two pandas as part of a breeding programme agreement which was sealed during Premier Li's visit earlier this year.
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