From tea clippers to wind turbines: China-Scotland ties turn new page

The commercial history shared between China and Scotland stretches back nearly two centuries – from Scottish-built tea clippers (a type of fast-racing ship in the 19th century) ferrying tea out of Fujian in southeastern China to the United Kingdom to Scottish banks and engineering firms helping shape the early industrial landscape of modern China.

Today, that long arc of exchange is taking on a new character. As global economic pressures intensify and the push for green transition accelerates, both sides are striving to deepen cooperation – not just in traditional goods, but in clean energy, innovation and people-to-people exchanges.

The launch of the China Chamber of Commerce in the UK (CCCUK) Scotland Branch in Edinburgh – the first regional branch in the organization's history – is considered a sign that China and Scotland are advancing their business ties to a higher level.

A relationship rooted in history

Scotland's connections with China run deep. As Peter Burnett, CEO of the China Britain Business Council, recalled, Scottish merchants were among the first to bring Chinese tea to Britain. Scottish engineers trained some of China's earliest maritime specialists, and banks founded by Scots, including HSBC and Standard Chartered, became pillars of China's financial development.

But the relationship is rapidly expanding beyond heritage trades. Scotland's exports to the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong surged 79 percent in the year to Q2 2025, according to the China Britain Business Council. Chief among them, traditional exports – Scottish seafood, petroleum products, machinery, and whisky – remain strong.

And China sees the potential for more. Yu Benlin, Minister at the Chinese Embassy in the UK, emphasized that economic ties remain a stabilizing force amid shifting geopolitics.

"Regardless of how bilateral relations fare, trade and investment have maintained very solid growth," said Yu.

He highlighted China's commitment to opening-up further, particularly in cutting-edge sectors, which can further collaborate with Scotland.

"We're looking forward to an even stronger partnership with Scotland and the UK as a whole, in areas such as EVs, artificial intelligence, biotech, and new energy. China will also continue to expand its high standard, high-level opening-up, with restrictions on foreign investments in the manufacturing sector lifted."

Yu also pointed to China's vast consumer market, complete industrial ecosystem and drive towards high-quality development – factors he believes can translate into "win-win" opportunities for Scotland.

"China is a huge market. Huge, huge market. If you are a businessman, if you want to have a good business, a promising business, you have to deal with your business partners upstream or downstream. But where can you find all the partners? China is the best place."

Scotland: Not just whisky and salmon

For the Scottish Government, China is now a key partner for innovation.

"China is now our sixth largest export market, a remarkable rise from outside the top 20 several decades ago," said John Primrose, Deputy Director for Exports and Inward Investment Policy.

He noted that whisky and salmon "lead the way," but emphasized that the relationship extends far beyond trade.

"Our relationship is of course so much more than just trade. Scotland is an open, outward-looking nation committed to addressing the climate and biodiversity crisis. This really brings us together," added Primrose.

Green energy: Where Scottish resources meet China's industrial scale

The biggest opportunity, according to business leaders, is in the green transition.

"Scotland is a pioneer in offshore wind and marine energy, while China is the world's largest investor and producer of renewable technology. Together, we can lower costs, accelerate deployment, and make the weather work for us," said Fang Wenjian, Chairman of CCCUK.

Beijing's global dominance in clean-energy manufacturing, ranging from wind turbines to advanced EV technologies, aligns with Scotland's vast offshore wind potential. A notable example is Ming Yang Smart Energy's proposal in October 2025 is to invest about $2 billion in Scotland, although the approval remains under review.

China-UK bilateral trade volume remains substantial, with flows sitting around $130 billion annually. But beneath the momentum lies discord over how to manage the relationship, particularly when it comes to Chinese investment in sectors the UK classes as critical infrastructure. 

For Scotland and China, the hope as reflected in the inauguration of CCCUK's Scotland branch is that practical cooperation, in exports, education and the fast-growing green economy can continue to advance even as the wider China-UK landscape becomes more cautious.

Fang said the new CCCUK Scotland branch reflects a "vote of confidence" in Scotland's long-term prospects.

"We believe that setting up this CCCUK Scotland branch is a symbol of the long term commitment to Scotland by Chinese businesses."