Executive Summary
The China Strategy seeks to strengthen Scotland's engagement with China, for the mutual benefit of both our nations.
China's growing economic, cultural and political importance make more effective bilateral engagement imperative. It is crucial that Scotland is positioned to meet the challenges and opportunities presented by China's emergence. This requires both an effective domestic policy response and success in promoting Scotland within China.
This document presents a straightforward, 10-point plan for what we want Scotland to achieve from our engagement with China over the next 5 years:
1. Raise understanding of Chinese language and culture in Scotland
2. Increase student flows between Scotland and China
3. Expand the awarding of Scottish qualifications in China
4. Attract skilled Chinese to experience living and working in Scotland
5. Strengthen bilateral science links
6. Attract increased Chinese tourism to Scotland
7. Increase trade between Scotland and China
8. Expand connections between businesses in Scotland and China
9. Work with China to address environmental challenges
10. Raise the profile and understanding of Scotland in China
Each of these objectives is underpinned by a specific target or indicator against which we will be able to measure our progress by 2010. We recognise that delivery of these objectives will depend on a concerted, national effort with the contribution of schools, colleges, universities, local authorities, civil society and business often being key. The role of government in Scotland is to create the enabling environment in which private sector relations can flourish. We also recognise that our efforts form part of the wider UK-China engagement led by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
China is a vast country and we have finite resources with which to engage. Scottish Ministers have therefore decided to focus activities over the next 5 years in five of China's provincial level regions - Beijing, Guangdong, Hong Kong, Shandong, and Shanghai - although we will continue to pursue certain activities in other regions as opportunities arise.
Having set out the strategic objectives and regional focus, we will now seek to implement a more integrated and cost-effective approach to engaging with China. We hope that stakeholders in Scotland and China will join us in our endeavour.