Liu Xiaoming: Extending the hand of lasting friendship(2)
China is now the world's second largest economy, but as a developing country China confronts many aspects of our economy that are unbalanced, unsustainable and unco-ordinated.
That is why we in China are following what we call "the scientific thinking on development" to restructure the economy and upgrade our way of growth. By doing so, we hope to improve people's lives and make our economic growth sustainable.
International trade is a key component of that economic growth. China values the opportunities of the Scottish market. Chinese businesses have come to invest in Scotland, attracted by its infrastructure. PetroChina formed a refinery joint venture with Ineos this year at Grangemouth. This has become another flagship project for China-Scotland co-operation. Lenovo and Bank of China both have offices in Scotland. By establishing themselves in Scotland, Chinese businesses are going global, while creating jobs for Scottish people.
China also values Scotland's ability to innovate. Reports by several world-renowned institutes show that China is the world's top investor in renewable energy. In turn, Scotland is a world leaders in renewable and green energy.
Li was most impressed by his visit to the Pelamis wave power project. In other spheres of science, Scotland leads with a large cluster of life sciences industries.
China is ready to draw upon and bring in Scotland's advanced technologies and experience:
• China's industrial upgrading and domestic demand stimulation is offering Scotland enormous opportunities.
• Scottish businesses are encouraged to explorADVERTISEMENTe the Chinese market and we in China will provide a fair and enabling environment.
• China will honour its commitment under the World Trade Organisation and continue to open up its financial sector.
• We will strengthen IPR protection and make sure foreign businesses can operate in China at ease.
• We will establish an open government purchasing policy and treat Chinese and foreign businesses as equals.
As Wen explained, our relations must be much wider than just business. We need to expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
We very much look forward to the performance of the National Ballet of China and the Shanghai Peking Opera Troupe at this year's Edinburgh International Festival. We have more to celebrate: two giant pandas will arrive at the Edinburgh Zoo at the end of this year. These VIPs - or "very important pandas" - will serve as ambassadors of friendship between China and Scotland.
We must increase youth exchanges. Scotland has taken an important lead in promoting mandarin teaching in its schools and universities. We now have two Confucius Institutes in Scotland, and more are coming to universities in Scotland. In turn, thousands of Chinese students are greatly benefiting by studying in Scottish universities. We are also welcoming young Scots to China.
Scotland's national bard has made the song Auld Lang Syne famous worldwide. The huge popularity of that song in China means that Auld Lang Syne has become deeply rooted in the hearts of the Chinese people. It is known in mandarin as You Yi Di Jiu Tian Chang. This translates as "long-lasting friendship".
Let us use long-lasting friendship to create a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future for China-Scotland partnership.
• His Excellency Liu Xiaoming is Chinese ambassador to Britain.
