Li Keqiang is touching down in Edinburgh at the start of his four-day state visit Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang is arriving in Scotland at the start of a four-day visit to the UK to promote links between the countries.
The state visit is taking a focus on trade and business and includes talks with Prime Minister David Cameron and Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond.
Mr Li is being greeted at Edinburgh Airport by Scottish Secretary Michael Moore.
He will then go on to hold bilateral talks with Mr Salmond.
The Scottish leg of the visit by the vice premier and his delegation, which includes six Chinese ministers, is taking in a series of meetings with ministers and business leaders.
The agenda will focus on Scotland’s growing renewable and low-carbon energy industry and includes a visit to a wave power project in Edinburgh.
There will also be a state dinner in the Scottish capital.
During his stay, Mr Li – widely tipped to be the next Chinese premier – will also meet key UK government figures in London, including Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Chancellor George Osborne and Foreign Secretary William Hague.
One of the most important in a new and upcoming generation of Chinese officials, Li Keqiang is widely tipped to take over as China’s next premier.
This is his first proper outing on the European stage. On this tour he’s already met Chancellor Merkel in Germany, signed deals with German carmakers and offered to buy over $7bn worth of Spanish debt.
These earlier stopovers are designed to signal that the EU as a whole is still seen as key to China’s future growth, and reassure European nations that they are important partners.
In Britain over the next four days, the focus will be on the economy. Today’s tour of the innovative wave and tidal energy project in Leith is to signal that the UK and Scotland are at the forefront of hi-tech renewable technology that China is keen to acquire.
The message is that both sides, not only indebted Britain, can benefit from a deeper relationship.
He is also due to deliver a speech at a China-Britain British Council banquet, ahead of his return to Beijing on Wednesday.
The vice premier’s stay in the UK comes after a three-day visit to Spain, where he signed $7.5bn (£4.8bn, 5.7bn euros) in trade deals.
Mr Li also reaffirmed his country would buy Spanish government bonds, despite the recent crisis of market confidence over eurozone debt.
Mr Salmond, who has led several trade missions to China in the past two years, said the visit was vital for building economic growth, especially in renewable energy.
“China already has the largest deployment of on-shore renewable technology and Scotland is a world-leader in pioneering the technology and application of clean, green off-shore energy,” said the first minister.
“Therefore, the economic opportunities for Scotland are enormous in terms of wind and marine energy technology developers and manufacturers, and for potential investors across the world.
“I look forward to welcoming this high-powered delegation to Scotland and leading discussions to advance our relationship with China.”
China has already made several Scottish trade agreements, including a deal requiring all “Scotch Whisky” sold in China to have been made in Scotland.
Anne MacColl, of the economic agency Scottish Development International, said Scotland was in a strong position to contribute to many of China’s key aims, which also included life sciences, financial services and academic connections.
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