Education secretary to strengthen China links

Published on Tuesday 4 March 2008 21:00

A STRONGER link between Scotland and China is the aim of a planned visit to the Far East by the education secretary, Fiona Hyslop.

News of the trip emerged as Ms Hyslop prepared today to meet Scottish students who will take part in Easter and summer schools in China.

Ms Hyslop's visit to the country in April will form part of a drive to build greater educational and economic links with the world's fastest growing major economy.

Today, she is expected to meet students from all over Scotland at the Confucius Institute, set up by Edinburgh University to promote learning of the languages and culture of China.

Increasing numbers of schools in Scotland are now offering pupils Chinese lessons and a teacher-training course specifically for those who want to teach the language in Scotland was set up this year to feed demand.

Scotland and China already have strong educational relationships; last year a group of Chinese students sat the Higher maths exam at three universities in China.