Confucius lectures aim to boost China trade links

Leading Chinese and Scottish business figures are to deliver a series of lectures in a bid to encourage more trade and economic activity between the two countries.

The talks are being organised by the University of Edinburgh's Confucius Institute for Scotland.

Speakers will include Clyde Blowers founder Jim McColl and Standard Life chief executive David Nish.

The head of a top Chinese architectural firm will also give a lecture.

Organisers said the lectures, which begin on 27 September, would provide an insight into understanding how trade opportunities for Scottish firms can be best developed.

Figures released by China's consulate general in Edinburgh earlier this year suggested trade between China and Scotland had more than doubled in the past decade.

In 2011 the two countries engaged in almost £1.5bn worth of business.

Whisky alone generated £57m worth of sales in China in the year to June 2011, while health care and renewable energy have been identified as growth areas.