AIIB initiatives expected for more collaboration in Scotland

EDINBURGH -- Scotland remains focused and targeted on the development of China's initiatives, expecting more collaboration and interaction to see how Scotland can be involved in the process, subject to resources, a Scottish minister said on Thursday.

Scottish Minister for External Affairs and International Development Humza Yousaf made the remark at an event on "Scotland's Relations with Asia", in response to Xinhua's question on China's initiatives including the "One Belt, One Road" and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

During his speech, Yousaf said Scotland would like to broaden and deepen its links and common interests with China, the world's second-largest economy, in various sectors including trade, education and culture, as well as research and development, highlighting the Scottish Development International offices in China and China's "One Belt, One Road" initiatives.

"From regional level, Scotland will strengthen its current links with China's Shenzhen and Tianjin among others," the minister said.

Yousaf, son of immigrants who came to Britain in the 1960s, with his mother from Kenya and father from Pakistan, said the Scottish government attaches great importance to its links with Asia including India, Pakistan, China and Japan in the fields of trade and investment, education, culture, health and food security, welcoming immigrants' contribution to Scotland.

Meanwhile, the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) also expressed interest on China's initiatives of "One Belt, One Road" and the AIIB.

Iain McTaggart, general manager and international director of the SCDI, termed the Chinese initiatives as "important developments" talking with Xinhua at a China-Scotland business breakfast held in Glasgow on Tuesday.

He expected the Scottish government to take the lead with its China strategy to seek more cooperation and development opportunities for the Scottish business industry, as Scotland has the leading advantage and expertise in renewable energy and environment protection.

"Other agencies like the SCDI can also play a role in developing the process," he said at the event organized by the SCDI and the University of Glasgow, expecting more details about the initiatives and projects.

"One Belt, One Road" is a development strategy started by the Chinese government in 2013. It refers to the Silk Road Economic Belt, which will link China with Europe through Central and Western Asia, and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, which stretch from south China to Southeast Asia, and even to Africa.

The initiatives serve more as a road map for how China will further integrate itself into the world economy, bring "new opportunities and a new future to China and every country along the road that is seeking to develop."

The establishment of the AIIB is an attempt to meet Asia's tremendous infrastructure needs. China underlined that it will take an open and inclusive attitude, be complementary to existing development banks, and strengthen the region's communication, social and economic development.