This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Scotland and China
18/01/2005
Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace will be in China next
week to build on Scotland's relationship with the world's
most populous nation.
During his week long visit Mr Wallace will concentrate
on promoting Scotland as a destination for business and
education and will be looking to strengthen the
ties already developed with the Chinese.
The Deputy First Minister's visit comes hard on the
heels of the First Minister's visit to China in October
last year.
Mr Wallace will meet with government, industry and
educational leaders, and will be building on the links made
by the First Minister.
He will spend Monday, January 24 - Wednesday, January 26
in the Chinese capital Beijing where he is leading a Life
Sciences trade mission of Scottish companies and meeting
with Chinese government ministers to discuss ties in
education.
The DFM will also address a Burns Night reception in the
British Embassy in Beijing where he will talk of Scotland's
many strengths including our world renowned cultural assets
such as Robert Burns.
The reception is expected to be attended by
representatives from business, academia and others in
Beijing with Scottish connections. There will be a
selection of music and poetry from Burns and there will
also be some haggis on offer.
On Thursday, January 27 Mr Wallace will become the first
Executive Minister to visit the Shenzhen region of China,
including a meeting with the Mayor of Shenzhen and with
Huawei Technologies - one of China's largest
telecommunication companies.
On Friday, January 28 the DFM will visit Hong Kong where
he will address the British Chamber of Commerce and hold
other meetings with business and education contacts.