Trade opportunities, tech and tourism will be at the heart of Minister for Scotland Kirsty McNeill’s programme as she embarks on a three-day visit to China.
The Minister will be joined by business representatives from key sectors spanning clean energy, advanced manufacturing, Scotland’s world-class universities, as well as Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, Glasgow Airport, and Glasgow City Council.
Building on the Prime Minister securing a Scotch whisky tariff cut in China worth £250 million to the UK economy in January, Minister McNeill’s trip to Beijing and Shanghai will see her address the China (Shanghai) International Technology Fair (CSITF) to promote Scotland as a global hub for innovation, progress discussions about new aviation links between China and Scotland, and meet with women entrepreneurs.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Minister McNeill said
Scotland has world-class strengths in clean energy, technology and education, and this visit is about building on the Prime Minister’s significant win for Scotland’s iconic whisky industry, opening new doors for Scottish businesses to Chinese investors, and backing the UK’s commitment to growing trade and investment between our two countries.
Like Shanghai, Scotland is a global hub for innovation, with strengths in the key sectors of green energy and marine technology. Our mission is to use Scotland’s innovation to drive long-term partnerships.
This trade mission, led by Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, brings together businesses from across Scotland and highlights the distinctive strength of its cities — from Edinburgh’s expertise in fintech, to Glasgow’s emergence as a major tech destination, and Dundee’s reputation as a world-class centre for digital innovation.
We have already seen the strength of this relationship deliver for Scottish industry — earlier this year the Prime Minister secured a halving of Chinese tariffs on Scotch whisky, a deal worth £250 million to our economy over the next five years. This visit builds on that momentum.
We are also committed to deepening tourism links between Scotland and China, and are ready to forge new partnerships.
China is the UK’s third largest trading partner, supporting 370,000 British jobs, and the UK’s second biggest single-country partner for collaborative scientific research. The UK Government takes a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to its relationship with China — co-operating where we can as fellow permanent members of the UN Security Council, competing where we have different interests, and challenging where we must to protect our national security and values. The UK Government is also committed to opening new doors for Scottish businesses across sectors including clean energy, technology, electric vehicles and premium goods — building on the Prime Minister’s visit to Beijing in January 2026 and reinforcing the UK’s ambition to grow trade and attract investment that supports jobs and growth across Scotland.
All G7 nations engage with China economically and diplomatically, and it is only through engagement that the UK can pursue economic opportunities to benefit working people while also challenging China directly on national security, human rights, and other areas of concern.
Minister McNeill’s presence at the CSITF will signal UK Government backing for Scottish business and encourage Chinese companies and investors to engage with Scottish opportunities. The delegation will also work to establish a Scottish presence within Beijing’s Chaoyang International Zone, creating a long-term platform for trade, investment and commercial partnership. This includes developing plans for a ‘Scotland Hall’ to showcase Scottish culture, products and experiences — starting with Scotch whisky — and raise Scotland’s profile as a destination among Chinese consumers, as well as an agreement with the China Tourism Group (CTG) to develop a structured Scotland–China tourism programme.
While in China, the Minister will engage with aviation authorities and airlines to advance a direct Shanghai-Scotland air service, which would significantly boost trade, investment and tourism between the two countries. She will also chair a roundtable discussion with women entrepreneurs organised by the Consulate General and British Chambers of Commerce.
The visit also reflects the UK Government’s commitment to raising concerns directly with Chinese counterparts where they arise — including on national security, human rights, and the importance of a rules-based international order. National security is the first duty of this government and underpins all our engagement.
Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said
This trade mission represents an important opportunity to strengthen Glasgow’s commercial links with one of the world’s largest and fastest-evolving markets. China continues to offer significant opportunities for businesses across key sectors where Glasgow excels, including advanced manufacturing, renewable energy and life sciences.
For the past six years, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce has led trade missions to Shanghai, building a valuable network that supports Glasgow businesses, attract investment, develop partnerships and access new customers. As Scotland’s largest city and a growing centre for innovation, Glasgow is well positioned to grow across the Chinese market. Direct engagement with business and government leaders helps open doors that can translate into long-term economic benefits supporting job creation, investment and business growth.
Christ Tibbett, Executive Director, Commercial Aviation and Marketing at AGS Airports, said
Strengthening air links has the potential to unlock significant growth in trade, tourism and investment, while deepening the long-standing ties between Scotland and China.
The UK Government’s engagement through this mission sends a strong signal of support for international connectivity and collaboration, and Glasgow Airport is pleased to be part of a delegation working to turn shared ambition into tangible outcomes.”
Vijay Madlani, CEO of Katrick Technologies, said
I’m excited to be taking part in the upcoming trade mission to Shanghai with the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and the UK Government. This provides a great opportunity to share our great innovation in the green and clean sectors in a new and very strategic major market for us. As a leader in tech innovation, Katrick Technologies will be showcasing our innovative Wind Panel technology during the mission to strengthen our market presence, customer growth, and investment as we progress towards a global commercial launch.”
Professor Dame Sally Mapstone, Lead Member International for Universities Scotland and Principal of the University of St Andrews, said
Higher education is a highly successful international export and one we want to see flourish with the right support in place. Scotland and China have many successful and longstanding higher education partnerships in both education and research.
There’s a reciprocity to our relationship Scotland is proud to welcome around 18,000 students from China, and we are just as proud that China is our biggest market for transnational education, with many of Scotland’s universities delivering degree programmes through joint institutes in multiple provinces across the country.
Daniel Baxter, Associate Dean International, Glasgow School for Business and Society, said
This visit to China marks an important milestone for Glasgow Caledonian University as we approach the launch of our first Joint Education Institute with University of Jinan, our partner of 18 years. We welcome the UK Government’s commitment to supporting international collaboration and look forward to working alongside Glasgow Chamber of Commerce to strengthen links between Scotland, the UK and China.