Scottish Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland's Language Alasdair Allan on Tuesday highlighted the importance of Scottish links with China to promote mutual understanding and friendship.

Allan made the remarks at a reception at the Scottish Parliament held here for the two-week "Scotland in Conversation with China" under the theme of "Defining Scotland's Distinctive Identity in an Era of Globalization The Chinese Perspective".

He noted it was very important for Scotland to expand links with China in an era of globalization, and that education was a key element of bilateral exchanges.

Graeme Pearson, Convener of The Scottish Parliament's Cross-Party Group on China (CPG) expressed the Group's keenness to seek to promote relations between Scotland and China, not only in recognition of the crucial importance of China as an economic power, but also its role as a cultural force.

For his part, Li Ruiyou, Chinese Consul General in Edinburgh, briefed on China's development to build a harmonious society, stressing the necessity for China to enhance exchanges and build up friendship with Scotland, a land of innovation and natural heritages.

Judith McClure, Convener of Scotland China Education Network who initiated the event, also emphasized the importance to promote exchanges between the young generations in Scotland and in China.

"The quality of Scottish education is internationally recognized and the school teachers are changing the student assessment models to encourage personality and innovation," she told Xinhua.

Mark Boyce, Head of China Team at Scottish government's Directorate for International and Constitution International Division, agreed that the event was beneficial to promote people-to-people exchanges between the two sides.

With an opening ceremony held on Monday in Glasgow, Scotland's largest city, the two-week event is expected to bring Chinese guests including professors and scholars to six cities and towns in Scotland to deliver speeches about Chinese perspectives on the EU and implications for policy, entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurship practice in China among others. Endi