During the event our representative engaged the summit with the issue of the sustainability of the softer programs launched during the year, and the responsibly that lay with the youth. These discussions have lead to the creation of the Power of Youth, based on [...]]]> The Convener of the Young Icebreakers in Scotland has just returned from Brussels after representing the UK at the launch of the EU-China Year of Youth.

During the event our representative engaged the summit with the issue of the sustainability of the softer programs launched during the year, and the responsibly that lay with the youth. These discussions have lead to the creation of the Power of Youth, based on the Icebreaker UKChina 400 programs run between the Young Icebreakers in Scotland and the British Council.

These programs were designed to bring young leaders together and were further developed by the Young Icebreakers in Scotland to have a focus on joint ventures and Entrepreneurship. The Idea for the EU CHINA Young Entrepreneur program (Power of Youth) was developed during the initial debates at the launch ceremony of the EU China Year of Youth.

This program is striving to bring together the best young proven entrepreneurs from the EU and China to develop innovative social business enterprises. Their prime focus will be to inspire and financially sustain other softer programs developed by the youth of the EU and China through the EU’s Youth in Action program.

Our Convener is now off to Beijing to represent Europe and co-chair the summit on Youth Entrepreneurship and Creativity at the reciprocal launch of the EU-China Year of  Youth, from the 21st to 28th of February. During the event, the official launch of  the Power of Youth has been planned and will very likely be in the presence of Premier Wen who is due to visit over the 7 days.

On the 10th of Janurary Vice Premier of China Li Keqiang stopped off in Scotland to meet Alex Salmond and sign off on several historic business deals between China and Scotland. The technology, food, drink and renewables sectors all landed groundbreaking deals to the tune of  tens of millions of pounds. Vice Premier Li Keqiang finished his visit [...]]]>

On the 10th of Janurary Vice Premier of China Li Keqiang stopped off in Scotland to meet Alex Salmond and sign off on several historic business deals between China and Scotland. The technology, food, drink and renewables sectors all landed groundbreaking deals to the tune of  tens of millions of pounds. Vice Premier Li Keqiang finished his visit by announcing the impending arrival of two very important ambassadors from China. An agreement has been signed to bring two giant pandas to Edinburgh Zoo, the first to live in the UK for 17 years. The deal was signed at Lancaster House in London by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and the Chinese Wildlife Conservation Association It was witnessed by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Vice Premier of China Li Keqiang. Tian Tian and Yangguang, a breeding pair born in 2003, will be under the custodianship of the zoo society. The project represents the culmination of five years of political and diplomatic negotiation at the highest level and it is anticipated the giant pandas will arrive in their new home as soon as a date is agreed.

Both the 48 Group Club and Young Icebreakers have played their part in this historic deal, and this sort of success reminds us of why we work so hard to build bridges between the UK and China.

Dr Judith McClure of the 48 Group Club and SCEN has kindly given us an insight into the world behind the scenes where a great deal of celebrating has begun.

‘David Windmill, Chief Executive of the Royal Zoological Society Scotland, hosted a magnificent Chinese Banquet at Edinburgh Zoo to celebrate the coming of the Giant Pandas. The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Mike Russell MSP, and Mme Tan Xiutian, Consul General for the PR of China in Edinburgh, were honoured guests, with a distinguished delegation from the China Wildlife Conservation Trust. We were euphoric! As delicious courses followed one another, so did the toasts. All of us were conscious of the significance of this occasion, marking as it did the extraordinary event of the visit of Vice Premier Li and his Ministers to Edinburgh and the very significant trade agreements which resulted. Scotland, despite its size, is the friend of China, and our relationship has been cemented by the forthcoming arrival of the two Giant Pandas. I sat next to the Deputy Director of the Giant Panda Office in Beijing. We tried to work out why Giant Pandas are so attractive to all of us, and reckon it is because they are not aggressive and they have the winsome qualities of human babies! As Convener of the Scotland China Education Network, I am hoping that every child and young person in Scotland and many from the rest of the UK will get the chance to be entranced by the Pandas, and as a consequence want to learn more China and about the natural world.’

Dr Judith McClure CBE, Convener of SCEN

‘Opportunities like this offer an occasion to grow closer together in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation. The world is turning to you as young leaders to find the means to live and work harmoniously together.

You as future leaders need to have strength of [...]]]> Click here for UK CHINA 400 / ICEBREAKER MAIN PAGE

‘Opportunities like this offer an occasion to grow closer together in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation. The world is turning to you as young leaders to find the means to live and work harmoniously together.

You as future leaders need to have strength of will and character to provide strong and ethical guidance to your peers and followers. The issues that you face are some of the most difficult ever to face humanity. Some with a degree of understatement call these challenges. I hope for all our sakes that you are willing to accept these challenges – created by others.’

Eric Balish, Director of Trade and Finance Barclays Commercial Bank, talking at the event

I know that Scotland was the usual success, and I know the content of the programme was greatly appreciated (mentioned by the group leader at the farewell lunch).

Your enthusiasm and support has helped the whole thing reach a very positive conclusion, from what was a difficult start. We Europeans do not do big numbers well and it challenges our individualism, somewhat, but the strength of interest has grown, and numbers of individuals, on both sides, have made valuable links.

Gordon Blakely, Director Youth Education, Science & Society, British Council

The Young Icebreakers – British Council UK-China 400 business exchange took place for the second time in our premises at the Confucius Institute. We are delighted and proud to host these events. Excellent presentations, colourful cross cultural activities and lively discussion and networking taking place among inspired and expert young leaders make this a wonderful opportunity to bring young professionals from Scotland and China into a true dialogue - which fits exactly into the Institute’s agenda: facilitating exchange, building bridges between education and business, and enhancing career opportunities between the young people of Scotland and China.

Professor Natascha Gentz
Chair of Chinese, Head of Asian Studies, Dean International (China) Edinburgh University and Director of the Confucius Institute for Scotland

‘It was exciting to see the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs from Scotland and China working together, sharing ideas and building working relationships for the future. The young Icebreakers put together a great programme and the exchange visits can only serve to strengthen ties between our countries. I was impressed by the level of interest and the detailed and focussed questions that the group asked about Scotland’s Greener policies from the low carbon economy to renewable technology and community action.’

Jon Rathjen, Greener Scotland Division Scottish Government

“Meetings of the Young Icebreakers present an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs and business people from China and the UK to share their insights and ambitions. At a time of economic change and transition around the world, the relationships we build through such encounters matter more than ever！”

Owen Kelly, Director of Scottish Financial Enterprise

‘Hi Adam,

Just wanted to drop you a note say thanks for yesterday. It was great for us to have some quality discussions with our Chinese visitors, and to start thinking of innovative ways of bringing emerging leaders from both countries closer together. Speaking both personally and for Standard Life, I can see great value in this event, and look forward to further opportunities in the future.’

Robert Amos HR Graduate, Group Transformation at Standard Life

It was great for our guests from the China Youth Federation to meet a young dynamic group of Scotland’s next generation of leaders.  The interactive sessions overcame the language difficulties and the excellent speakers from Arup and Barclays, that had been organised by the Young Icebreakers, set the tone for the day:  Mutual respect and a shared desire for individuals from both China and Scotland to work together.

Dr Conor Snowden, Senior Advisor, Science and Climate Change, British Council Scotland

From the 24th to the 26th of November a series of events will see some [...]]]> Following on from the success of the 3 days of events back in March of this year, a delegation of 25 young leaders and entrepreneurs from China will return to Scotland in November to work with their Scottish counterparts, The Young Icebreakers.

From the 24th to the 26th of November a series of events will see some of the best young minds and high performing young professionals from both Scotland and China come together to discuss isuues affecting the Health of the Enviroment and Lifestyle of the generation they will come to lead. It is likely that the official launch event of the Young Icebreakers in Scotland will coincide with this visit; for more information on the programme please click here.

If you wish to attend as a representative of Scotland’s community of Young Leaders please email our Convener at adam@ignite-yourbrand.com

After 3 days of events in Edinburgh meeting their Scottish counterparts, Guo Xiangyu Deputy Secretary-General of the All-China Youth Federation and leader of the delegation of 25 young business leaders from China said they had had ‘ the most meaning-full, positive, productive and fun time with the Scottish Young [...]]]> click here for the main page of event

After 3 days of events in Edinburgh meeting their Scottish counterparts, Guo Xiangyu Deputy Secretary-General of the All-China Youth Federation and leader of the delegation of 25 young business leaders from China said they had had ‘ the most meaning-full, positive, productive and fun time with the Scottish Young Icebreakers’.

The events kicked off on Monday with a day of networking and debate at the stunning Confucius Institute where the 50 young leaders from China and Scotland engaged in talks with Eric Balish (Director of Trade and Finance of Barclays Commercial Bank), Owen Kelly (Director of Scottish Financial Enterprise), Geoff Leask (Head of Operations Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust), Natasha Gentz (Director The Confucius Institute for Scotland) and Paul Docherty (Director British Council Scotland ). The main part of the day was speant working with each other to discuss issues affecting the debate in the environment; the health of future generations, and the material heritage of our culture.

The second day begun with another networking session and lunch at Edinburgh Napiers Craighouse Campus. Here the delegates met some of Napier’s top performing international students and young entrepreneurs from the Moffat Center. Jack Worden, Dean of the International College and staff from Napier’s Business School were on hand to welcome and introduce the university and its students. The highlight and focus of the day was a long conversation with Antonia Swinson (Chief Executive Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition) where the delegates really engaged with the concept of Social Enterprise and how it could be applied to create rapid positive social change in China. The day ended with a trip to the Scottish Parliment where the delegates had a tour and heared from Tom McCabe (Chair of Cross party Group on China).

The final day at Edinburgh Zoo ended with an outstanding positive result. After a talk and reception from David Windmill (Chief Executive of the Royal Zoological Society), Guo Xiangyu (Deputy Secretary-General of the All-China Youth Federation and leader of the delegation) pledged to write a letter to recommend and support the Panda breeding programme to the Head of the Chinese Forestry Commission. He was ‘very impressed with the beauty and high standards of Edinburgh Zoo/ and how happy the animals conditions were’.

This groundbreaking programme was put together in a collaberation between the British Council and Scottish Young Icebreakers to make the most of the final stage of the UK/China 400 Scheme.

BEIJING, May 13 (Xinhua) — China’s government has opened a new range of government-run industries to the private sector, either through investment in existing companies or establishment of new firms. The government also announced Thursday that it would improve financing services and simplify [...]]]> Major piece of news from China that provides a massive opportunity to the UK’s economy.

BEIJING, May 13 (Xinhua) — China’s government has opened a new range of government-run industries to the private sector, either through investment in existing companies or establishment of new firms.
The government also announced Thursday that it would improve financing services and simplify administrative procedures for private sector involvement in those industries.

Water projects, power generation, mining, and logistics — currently mainly state controlled — would be opened to the private sector, said a statement on the central government website, www.gov.cn.

The statement also reiterated the opening of sectors announced at a State Council executive meeting in March, including education, welfare, transport infrastructure, telecommunications and energy, public utilities, scientific and technological programs for national defense, affordable housing construction and cultural industries.

Private investors could also participate in the establishment of financial institutions by investing in commercial financial institutions and establishing rural banks, credit companies, credit guarantee companies, and rural fund cooperatives.

Private companies were welcomed to participate in the reform of state firms through assets acquisitions or increasing their holdings in them, the statement said.

The government also restated its support for independent innovation in the private sector, encouraging the development of new products and investment in emerging industries, such as bio-medicine, new energy, environment protection and recycling.

Private companies were encouraged to increase overseas investment by conducting international operations outside China, establishing multinational corporations and developing leading brands.

The government would improve financing services for private companies by strengthening the venture capital investment system, and helping with the financing of private firms through equities and bonds.

The government would simplify administrative procedures by making them more efficient and cutting fees.

It promised to step up efforts to create a good environment for private investment by setting up a sound administrative service system and amending unfavorable laws and regulations in its March statement.

The government would also provide guidance for private investors by reporting industrial trends and latest policies. It also instructed industry associations and chambers of commerce to help with finance, technologies, management, and legal affairs.

Private investment played an important role in creating jobs, boosting domestic consumption and providing impetus for economic development, which would help the country maintain sustainable economic growth, it said.

“State capital should focus on ‘key industries’ that are crucial to the development of national economy, and government investment focus on sectors important to the national security……while the other sectors should be wide open to private investment,” said the statement.