This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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FM meets with senior Chinese politician
30/11/2005
Scotland further cemented its relationship with the world's most important emerging economy today when the First Minister Jack McConnell welcomed one of China's senior politicians to Scotland.
Mr Han Yuqun, Governor of Shandong Province, flew into Edinburgh today for a series of meetings with Ministers. He will also sign a co-operation agreement between Shandong's provincial government and Napier University.
Shandong is one of China's most populous provinces, with over 90 million people. Scotland already has strong academic links with the province, and The Howden Group, one of Scotland's leading engineering companies, has opened a 450 strong plant in the city of Weihai.
Speaking after meeting Governor Han in Bute House, Mr McConnell said:
"China is a most important market, and Shandong is one of China's most important provinces.
"We already have strong links with the province, through academic and business partnerships and we are keen to build on these.
"During 2005 we have made real progress with our links in China and we intend to strengthen them in 2006."
Governor Han said: "Shandong has long attached great importance to exchanges and cooperation with other countries.
"And we are particularly keen to establish a relationship with Scotland and join hands with you for a better future."
Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen will host a lunch in Bute House for Governor Han and tonight the Minister for Finance and Public Services, Tom McCabe will host a dinner at Merchant's Hall, Edinburgh.
Shandong Province is almost twice the size of Scotland (156,700 sq km) and has a population of 91 million.
It is located in the lower reaches of the Yellow River, and has many mineral and marine resources, including oil and coal. It has China's second largest oil field - Shengli, and its crude oil output accounts for 15.7 per cent of China's total.
In 2003 it had 85 universities (the second highest in China), and more than 117,000 graduates (the third highest number in China).
Angus Council is twinned with Yantai, a region within Shandong.
Glasgow University has a collaboration agreement with Yantai University, and Aberdeen University has a partnership with Yantai Normal University
Scottish engineering company The Howden Group set up a joint venture in Weihai city and now employes around 450 staff.
A Montrose based company IMT Marine Consultants, which specialises in ship design has had strong links with Shandong since 2003, when it won a £1.4 million contract to design four offshore support vessels which are being build in Yantai.