Chinese students are crucial to Scotland’s education sector

By Christine Lavelle

UNIVERSITIES in Scotland are cashing in China’s “crucial” student population to bolster the country’s educational sector.

Education Secretary Mike Russell said China has become a key strategy in attracting more students to study in Scotland and encouraging more researching funding from the Far East for Scottish universities.

He said it could open up an “unlimited market” for teaching English to Chinese students.

He said: “Children at almost every level are keen to learn English, and their parents are keen to learn English to a high standard, and Scotland is well placed to deliver as much as it wants to do.”

Staff member ‘burst into tears’ over uncertainty about job

By Martin Graham

A CHURCH of Scotland boss told an employment tribunal today how a member of staff had had ‘burst into tears’ because she was so upset about the risk of losing her job.

Patricia Johnston at the tribunal

Kenneth Ross was giving evidence at the tribunal raised by Patricia Johnston, 57, from Sauchie, Alloa, who is is claiming unfair dismissal from her post as China Field Officer with the Church’s World Mission international division, a post she had held since 2000.

Mr Ross was head of the World Mission department which underwent a re-structuring process in 2005.

The post held by Ms Johnston was funded by the church but had its role defined by a group called the Scottish China Churches Group, a coalition of religious groups operating in China.

Scotland’s should forget tourist cliches claims branding expert

By Andrea McCallum

SCOTLAND should stop relying on shortbread and tartan to sell itself to the world – according to a branding expert.

David Guy, business director for the Edinburgh branch of marketing firm Billington Cartnell, said Scotland should take a leaf out of Ireland’s book and promote the warmth of its people.

And he said VisitScotland’s current approach was failing to exploit the perception of the Celtic nations as warm and friendly.

Parents of student lost at sea said they are losing hope

Craig McIntyre

By Cara Sulieman

THE parents of a Scots student swept out to sea off Ireland described losing their son as a “nightmare” and are coming to terms with the fact that he is probably dead.

Craig McIntyre was sunbathing with a friend on a secluded Irish beach when he was hit by a wave and swept in to the Atlantic on Saturday.

The 20-year-old, from the Colinton area of Edinburgh, was staying in a friends holiday home hear Baltimore, County Cork when he went down to the sea to watch the sunrise.

His parents David and Morag McIntyre travelled to Ireland as coastguard and Garda searched for their son, but with rescue efforts now into the fifth day they are losing hope.

Schoolkids shown video of dogs being skinned alive

By Alexander Lawrie

A SCOTS religious education teacher has been heavily criticised after he showed a class of 14-year-olds a horrific video showing dogs being skinned alive.

The horrendous images, which were shown to a class of fourth year pupils at James Young High School, Livingston, contained scenes so disturbing one girl fled the classroom in tears.

The decision to show the video has been described as “unfair and almost cruel” by education campaigners.

Now the decision to show the film by the school’s RE teacher Richard Gray is under investigation.

The mixed class of 20 pupils was shown the images as part of a class discussion of moral values.

Scots police forces’ fight against cannabis farms phenomenon

By ALEXANDER LAWRIE

SCOTLAND’S police have taken more than £12 million worth of cannabis off the country’s streets in the past three years as they battle against the rising phenomenon of large-scale cultivation.

Drugs cops have also busted at least 227 Scottish cannabis factories and arrested 445 people for the extensive growing of the recreational drug, since 2006.

The nation’s eight forces have also managed to confiscate over 73,000 plants in the past three years, an investigation using the Freedom of Information Act has revealed.

Ming vase expected to fetch quarter of a million

By Cara Sulieman

A MING vase with connections to an old biscuit company is expected to fetch a quarter of a million when it goes under the hammer tomorrow.

The delicate 500-year-old Chinese creation is from a collection owned by Reginald Palmer, the chairman of the Huntley and Palmer biscuit company.

Still in the family, the vase is now going under the hammer for the first time since 1935.

A spokesman for Bonhams, who are selling the vase as a part of their Asia Week Chinese art auction sales, said that there were high hopes the owner would make good money on his original investment of just £55.

Scottish bargain hunter hits jackpot

By Alexander Lawrie

A LUCKY Scots bargain hunter is in line for a massive payout after discovering a rare Chinese vase in a box filled with bric-a-brac.

The Tang vase has been estimated at around £120,000 and goes up for auction next month.

The lucky punter from the Borders found the extremely rare 9th century vase in an old cardboard box at a house sale five years ago.

And it is thought the owner shelled out less than £100 for the vase.

The vase shaped like a melon is decorated with scrolling leaves, flowers, birds and animals.
  
The owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, said “When I first saw the vase I thought that it was something remarkable and I am thrilled that it has been valued so highly.

“It is everyone’s dream to find something like this.”

Tang dynasty

Anna Westin, Asian Specialist at Lyon & Turnbull, said “The Tang dynasty is often referred to as China’s Golden Age, a period of peace, great creativity and prosperity due to extensive trade.

“These treasures were used often at court and were also given as gifts to important dignitaries.
  
 “Silver of the Tang dynasty is rare, and most pieces of this type can be found in museum collections around the world.

“In particular, decorated lidded vessels of this type are very scarce – a notable gilded comparison, one of China’s national treasures, is in the Shaanxi History Museum.”

As the popularity for gold and silver in China grew, workshops opened all over the vast country culminating in a flourish of some of the finest silver and gold works of art in the country’s history.
  
The vase will be sold on April the 8th 2009 at Lyon & Turnbull’s Sale at Blenheim Palace.

Leading Scottish whisky jets off to China

By Oliver Farrimond

A LEADING Scottish whisky maker is setting its sights on the Far East.

Bruichladdich Distilllery Company is jetting off to the China on a trade mission later this month.

The Isle of Islay-based firm hope to target the notoriously thirsty Chinese whisky market.

Bruichladdich Distillery Company is one of the fastest growing whisky companies in the world, recording sales of £7m in 2008.

Andy Hogan, sales manager, said that Chinese appetites for whiskey represented a huge opportunity.

He said: “The potential for China is enormous – in the long term it’s going to be one of the top five whisky markets in the world.

“It’s crucial we get established there as early as possible.”

The company, who were bought by the US brand Jim Beam in 2000, will start their Chinese sales drive in capital city Beijing, as well as Shanghai and Shenzhen.

Hogan has already set up meetings with distilleries in Shanghai, and said that their 100% natural whiskies would strike a chord with Chinese drinkers.

He expects that sales in the country will grow by 25% per year and said Chinese consumers’ appetite for whisky is growing, with single malts showing the most rapid recent growth.

He said: “Chinese consumers place great emphasis on natural food and drink.

“We want to find partners who understand that we specialise in absolutely top-quality whisky.”

Jim Murphy, secretary of state for Scotland, and the Scottish Council for Development and Industry will be joining the company on the trade mission.

The distiller will return to Shanghai in May in a bid to find further distributors at an event known as Whiskey Live.

Bond legend Sir Sean Connery hijacked to promote Chinese sex drugs

By Oliver Farrimond

A CHINESE company has hijacked the image of Bond legend Sir Sean Connery to sell sex drugs.

Sir Sean unwittingly stars in an advert for Viagra-style drug ‘USA Selikon’ which has been broadcast on TV stations all over China.

Crafty advertising execs dubbed Chinese over old interview footage and film clips of Connery, making him appear to say that the drug has worked wonders for him and his wife “Barbara”.

He says: “I turned 70 this year. But with the help of USA Selikon capsules, I was praised by Barbara that I’m still James Bond, forever 25.

“I have told all my aged friends ‘You should try USA Selikon capsules.'”

Sir Sean – who is actually 78 years old and married to artist Micheline Roquebrune – is a popular figure in the Far East and has been a familiar face in Japanese adverts for decades.

Most famously, he is the face of the “Suntory Time” whiskey adverts spoofed in the movie Lost In Translation.

AC Milan star David Beckham also features in the campaign, saying that Selikon USA helps him perform both on and off the football pitch.

He says: “Want to know how I can keep being strong and running on the football field? USA Selikon capsules help me a lot.

“It’s also the secret weapon with which I can satisfy Victoria.”

While Beckham is said to be furious about the advertisements, both he and Sir Sean are unlikely to take legal action as Chinese copyright law is notoriously complicated.

A sales manager for the drugs company told a Hong Kong newspaper on Saturday that the adverts had been approved by authorities, and broadcast to cities across China.

Online forums in China are abuzz with discussion over the adverts, with many users mocking Connery and Beckham for their apparent reliance on Chinese sex drugs.

This is not the first time Western celebrities have appeared to endorse Chinese health products.

Brazilian soccer stars Ronaldinho and Ronaldo have both discovered footage of themselves advertising computers and throat lozenges on Chinese television.