by Website Editor, 29 September 2012

The 63rd anniversary of the founding the People's Republic of China in 1949 was celebrated at a National Day reception at the Chinese Consulate General in Edinburgh on 27 September. Guests included Scottish Government ministers and officials, several local authority leaders, university principals, business leaders, members of the Chinese community, the local diplomatic corps, and many others with an involvement with China.

Clockwise from top left - at the opening ceremony, Consul General Li ; Scottish Government Minister
Hamza Yousef ; some of the guests ; Eddie McGuire and his ensemble (photos courtesy of Chinese Consulate General)

In his speech, Consul General Li Ruiyou emphasised the ever-expanding business, cultural and educational links between the two countries. He noted that China/Scotland trade had risen by 14% to £766m in the first half of 2012, and that Scottish exports to China were rising at a faster rate than imports from China to Scotland, reflecting the particular success of Scottish food and drink products such as farmed salmon and whisky. Another recent export success cited by Mr Li was the expansion of the Bridge of Weir car leather factory to meet demand from Chinese car manufacturers, while the new China visa centre is another indicator of how tourism is growing.

Newly-appointed Scottish Government Minister for External Affairs and International Development Hamza Yousef MSP noted that this was his second engagement involving China in just three weeks, the first having been a reception for the recent visit by the Peking University orchestra. He noted that the new 'China Plan' was nearing completion, and committed The Scottish Government to broadening and deepening Scotland's relationship with China.

The reception was attended for the SCA by Janice Dickson, Chairman, and Peter Lindow, Euan Petrie and Graham Thompson of the National Committee, while Eddie McGuire, Vice President, and his ensemble provided musical entertainment at the event.

See also here for a report on the Consulate's website.