Chinese 'partner' sets good example on transport plans

Published on Friday 24 September 2010 18:17

New links are set to be developed between Edinburgh and the massive Chinese city of Tianjin in a bid to foster business and investment.

More than a few people will be hoping that some of the Chinese attitude to public building projects also finds its way to the Scottish capital.

That's because Tianjin, in the north-east of the country, enjoys the benefits of a modern and efficient tram network - built by a foreign contractor in two years - as well as an underground rail system.

A delegation of 60 officials from Tianjin were today due to arrive in Edinburgh to meet with Scottish Government and city council leaders, including council leader Jenny Dawe and economic development leader Tom Buchanan.

The visit comes two months after First Minister Alex Salmond signed a partnership agreement with Tianjin, a growing city with potential for huge economic success and dubbed "the new Shanghai".

Cllr Buchanan said: "We are keen to do business with China, Other cities focus on Beijing and Shanghai, but we should look at cities that are similar to us. Tianjin is one of them.

He said that the similarities between the cities include renewable energy and the financial services sector, which is currently being developed in Tianjin.

They also share a link with Scottish Olympic athlete Eric Liddell - he was born and died in Tianjin but lived much of his life in Edinburgh.

Cllr Buchanan said: "China and India will be the next two global superstars and we need to make sure that we take the opportunity to secure inward investment.

"China does not have a huge presence in Edinburgh yet but we would hope that when they look at their strategic European objectives, they will consider Edinburgh."

Tianjin is a major logistics, energy and manufacturing centre and a series of organisations from the Lothians already have a presence there, including financial giant Standard Life, aerospace firm Caledonian Alloys and Heriot-Watt University.

Mr Salmond was today due to host the delegation, led by Li Fuming, director-general of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission.

Graham Bell, spokesman for the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said: "China is an immensely successful economy and we have a large number of big infrastructure projects on the table that need investors. The Chinese are very rich."

When Tianjin built its tram network in 1904, it took only two years to be completed, but Mr Bell said Edinburgh is unlikely to be able to learn from them on that.

He said: "The high-speed rail Shanghai airport was designed, developed and open within two years.

"That's what you can do when you have a totalitarian state."

TIANJIN vs EDINBURGH

TIANJIN

Population: 10,300,000

Average summer temperature: 31C

Transport: Expansive tram network awarded to a Belgian company in 1904 and opened in 1906. 26 kilometre 'Line 1' metro system opened in 2006 after refurbishment.

Tourist attractions: Tianjin Eye (the 6th tallest ferris wheel in the world), Tianjin Zoo, Confucian Temple, Palace of the Heavenly Goddess.

Sport: Chinese Super League football team Tianjin Teda (TEDA Football Stadium, capacity 37,450), and baseball side Tianjin Lions.

Culture: Renowned for its stand-up comedy scene and opera.

EDINBURGH

Population: 471,650

Average summer temperature: 18C

Transport: The less said the better about our proposed tram system, but we have got a massive network of publicly funded buses across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Tourist attractions: Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Zoo, Royal Botanic Garden, Royal Yacht Britannia, Palace of Holyroodhouse,

Sport: Heart of Midlothian (Tynescastle Stadium, capacity 17,420) and Hibernian (Easter Road Stadium, capacity 17,500), and Edinburgh Rugby.

Culture: Famous for its annual festivals and its year-round theatre and comedy.