This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Chinese New Year celebrations
09/02/2003
First Minister Jack McConnell joined in this weekend's
celebrations to mark the Chinese New Year.
At a gathering in Edinburgh's Festival Theatre, he said the
Chinese community makes a "valuable and unique contribution" to
Scottish life.
"Your event is a great example of Scotland's rich cultural
and ethnic diversity. Future prosperity and wellbeing depends
on everyone being given every opportunity to develop their
talents and abilities to the full.
"I want a Scotland that is strong on ambition and
aspiration, values that I know are strong in the Chinese
community.
"There no doubt that Scotland is seen from outside as an
increasingly confident nation. We want to build on that
international image and continue to be a destination for those
who want to study, work and settle here.
"Your community has shown over decades that the
opportunities to succeed are here. You are living proof that
the flow of people into Scotland has brought with it ideas,
talents and enterprise that benefit us all.
"We now have a strong legal framework in place to ensure
that our minority ethnic communities get the services they need
and which are appropriate, but legislation alone isn't
enough.
"We need people to think more constructively about the sort
of Scotland they want to live in and the behaviours and
attitudes which get in the way of that.
"Racist attitudes and actions should and will not be
tolerated in Scotland. No one has the right to be hostile or
derogatory to anyone else because of the colour of their skin,
race, ethnic or cultural background.
"But we all share the responsibility for tackling racism and
promoting equality and it is the acceptance of that shared
responsibility by everybody which is vital to achieving
change.
"Like to close by thanking everyone involved in today's
event. From what I have seen so far I am sure we are in for a
lively and colourful show.
"Finally let me wish everyone here a prosperous and Happy
New Year. I hope it is a New Year in which you can feel proud
of your Parliament and your government, and we can stay on your
side and change Scotland for the better."