Record year for exports to China

Latest figures from the Global Connections Survey have shown a rise in food and drink exports and in sectors such as chemicals and engineering, contributing to a total increase of 30 per cent from the previous year.

First Minister Alex Salmond announced the new figures in his Chinese new year message heralding the arrival of the year of the horse, noting that ‘the strength of the ties’ between Scotland and China will allow the solid economic link between the two countries to continue to flourish for decades to come.

Mr Salmond said:

“As we say farewell to the year of the snake, and look forward to the year of the horse, a very lucky year coming ahead, I’d like to wish a very happy new year to the people of China and Chinese people everywhere.

“Just three months ago I visited Beijing and Hong Kong. It was my fourth visit to China as First Minister. Once again, I saw the strength of the ties and growing relationship between our two countries."