LONDON, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Great potential exists to deepen economic, trade and cultural cooperation between China and Scotland, a Scottish scholar told Xinhua in a recent interview.
Andrew G. Ross, a senior lecturer in International Business & Strategy at the University of Dundee, said that as one of the world's largest economies, China's strength lies in its scale, sophisticated manufacturing ecosystem and growing technological capacity.
China plays a central role in global supply chains for electronics, machinery, electric vehicles, batteries, and renewable energy technologies, Ross underlined.
China's large and increasingly affluent middle class continues to create significant demand for high-quality goods and services from international markets, he added.
Meanwhile, he said Scotland is home to a number of universities that are global leaders in research and innovation, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI), data science, life sciences, and engineering. Scotland also has a long history and strong reputation in financial services, renewable energy development and high-value food and drink exports.
The two countries have already built strong economic ties, Ross said, noting that China is one of Scotland's most important export markets. Scottish exports to China increased nearly 80 percent in 2025, according to Ross.
Talking about cooperation in education, he said that Scottish universities have attracted Chinese students with their high-quality teaching and research environments, and that universities on both sides have also established joint partnerships and programs.
The joint program between the University of Dundee and China's Central South University, both of which excel in engineering and science, offers courses in mathematics, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science, Ross said, noting that education is an effective way to deepen cultural ties and cooperation.
The lecturer also expressed optimism about future cooperation between the two countries, noting that China can supply Scotland with high-quality electronics, telecommunications equipment, machinery, consumer goods, and industrial components.
Ross added that bilateral collaboration is expected to expand into new areas and industries that will be pivotal to their long-term growth. He highlighted significant opportunities in energy and engineering, particularly in offshore wind, renewable energy, AI, big data, and tourism.
In the renewable energy sector, China and Scotland can work together to build a leading global supply chain for turbine manufacturing, deepen offshore engineering partnerships, and accelerate hydrogen production. Such efforts will not only deliver mutual benefits but also generate far-reaching global impact.
Meanwhile, Ross emphasized the need for both sides to intensify efforts to advance joint research in AI, while also strengthening cooperation in fintech innovation, smart city technologies, and healthcare analytics. ■
