Scottish Minister for External Affairs and International Development Humza Yousaf on Thursday hailed the strengthened links between Scotland and the Chinese side in various sectors including trade, education and culture.

Speaking at a reception at the Chinese Consulate-General in Edinburgh celebrating China's National Day, Yousaf reviewed his first trip to China in June, exploring cooperation opportunities and mutual benefit for the two sides in the sectors of banking, culture, education, energy, life science and technology.

He also highlighted the contribution of Confucius institutes in Scotland and Confucius classroom hubs in promoting the cultural exchange and the Chinese language learning.

Elaine Smith, Deputy Presiding Officer of the Scottish parliament, briefed on the exchanges and cooperation between the Scottish parliament and the Chinese legislative body, stressing the importance of learning Chinese language and the role of Chinese students studying Scotland as a "bridge" between Scotland and the Chinese side.

Delivering a welcoming speech, Li Ruiyou, Chinese Consul General in Edinburgh, introduced the contents of the Chinese Dream, the recent social and economic development and the economic transformation in China for better quality and higher efficiency, as well as the flourishing exchanges of the two sides in various sectors.

More than 100 honored guests and celebrities from Scotland and Northern Ireland attended the reception on Thursday evening to celebrate the 64th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on Oct. 1, 1949. Endi