BUILDING stronger ties between Scotland and China will be the focus of a trade mission which is heading to Shenzhen for a visit this week.

Led by the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce and joined by a number of businesses based in the city, the Scottish Government-supported trade mission aims to foster long-term connections between the two major cities. The mission follows on from a visit to Edinburgh made by more than 30 delegates from Shenzhen in 2018, and a formal Memorandum of Understanding signed between the cities in 2013.

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Liz McAreavey, chief executive of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said the trip is a “significant” opportunity. She continued: “Edinburgh has already developed a strong connection with Shenzhen, going back several years. This mission will enable us to build on these existing connections, such as the Edinburgh-Shenzhen Creative Exchange, and help more businesses in both cities reach their potential.”

The trip will include a visit to the China Hi-Tech Fair, which focuses on advanced technologies, and an Edinburgh-Shenzhen Creative Exchange seminar and formal dinner with representatives of the Shenzhen government and Shenzhen business leaders.

The chamber is looking to run trade missions to Dublin, Munich, Philadelphia and Dubai next year.