Kung Hei Fat Choi! Or possibly Gong Xi Fa Cai! There are several transliterations of the Chinese for Happy New Year. This is the Year of the Rabbit which, in Chinese astrology, implies that we can expect a quieter time than we had over the last 12 months, the Year of the Tiger. The Chinese themselves don’t do things by halves, celebrating the New Year for two weeks.
Traditionally, Chinese communities write their wishes for the year on sky lanterns which they then let rise into the night sky. There have been reports than some farmers in Scotland have wanted this tradition stopped here, fearing that can harm livestock if, when they come down again, they are eaten or become entangled.
There was also some concern that the more gullible might mistake the low flying lights for UFOs or distress flares. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has claimed an increase in call-outs on days when the lanterns are set off – there were hundreds let off on Hogmanay this year.
The books which tell us about the year of the Rabbit claim that it will be a time of good taste and refinement. People will acknowledge that persuasion is better than force. The Egyptians may not yet be listening but the coming year should be one in which diplomacy, international relations and politics will be given a front seat again.
However, Scots can benefit from greater links with China. The Scottish Government has gone out of its way in the past year to build on the links that already exist between the two countries. This included a visit to this country last month by the Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang. A number of deals were struck during that visit.
Today, Scotland’s Culture and External Affairs Minister, Fiona Hyslop, said that the visit had further strengthened “the firm links we have with China across the business, tourism, education and cultural sectors but it was also a strong signal of the high regard in which Scotland is held by the Chinese.
“Our world famous whisky and salmon are now available to Chinese consumers thanks to recent agreements which guarantee product quality. Securing the loan of two giant pandas for Edinburgh Zoo is a sign of great friendship between our nations and testament to the conservation and other skills that Scotland has to offer on the global stage.”
There have been important developments in both sectors. In November last year, China announced that Scotch would be given the legal protection of Geographical Indication of Origin (GI) status, meaning that any product labelled as 'Scotch Whisky' in China must be made in here. Salmon also benefited from agreement on a Seafood Export Health Certificate, which will allow Scottish salmon exports into China for the first time.
There are other areas where there’s been growth in trade, not least in the tourist and textiles sectors. Last year saw the publication of the first ever dedicated Scottish golf brochure aimed at Chinese golfers. And one of China's leading textile companies, Ningxia Zhongyin, invested over £6 million in Scottish cashmere firm, Todd & Duncan, securing its future.
However, trade will only flourish if we understand more in the way of Chinese language and culture. One initially surprising source of that in Scotland is St George's School for Girls in Edinburgh which has just started two new evening courses – “Beginners' Chinese” and “Mandarin for Business”, aimed at those in business who are looking for commercial opportunities in China.
The business-orientated course won’t just focus on the language but will also teach students the dos and don'ts of dealing with Chinese business leaders, providing key phrases for use in the business world. It will also provide invaluable hints and tips on how to act, and importantly how to avoid offending potential Chinese business contacts.
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