GLASGOW, June 18 (RIA Novosti), Mark Hirst – The Chinese Premier’s rejection of Scottish independence reflects the views of many Chinese students and members of the Scots-Chinese community, a Glasgow based Chinese academic has told RIA Novosti.
Yajun Deng of Glasgow Caledonian University said, “The attitudes of Chinese and other international students are very similar to the debate in Scotland about independence.”
“International students are very mobile and can easily alter which universities they apply to, so I think Scottish independence would have an immediate effect on the number of Chinese students applying to study here,” Deng told RIA Novosti.
Deng’s comments follow a visit by Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang to London where he met his British counterpart, David Cameron.
After the meeting Li told reporters his country wanted to see a “strong, prosperous and united United Kingdom".
"I believe that the United Kingdom can stay at the forefront in leading the world's growth and development and also continue to play an important and even bigger role for regional stability and global peace,” Li added.
Scottish First Minister and leader of the pro-Scottish independence political party, Alex Salmond, responded by saying, “Premier Li is of course entitled to his views, and it is noteworthy that he made clear the Chinese Government will 'respect the choice' which the people of Scotland make this September whatever it may be.”
The Chinese Premier’s comments follow those made by US President Obama, former US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton and the Swedish Foreign Minister, Carl Bildt, who all gave their backing to Scotland remaining within the United Kingdom.
In a reciprocal statement issued after Li expressed his view on Scottish independence the UK Government confirmed its opposition to Tibetan independence and said, “the UK recognizes that Tibet is part of the People’s Republic of China and does not support Tibetan independence.”
Earlier this year Deng authored a report following a study of Chinese students examining their attitudes to Scottish independence. It found that 45 percent of Chinese students would be less likely to come to Scotland if the country became independent.
Deng told RIA Novosti that many students associated Scotland with its distinct culture and landscape rather than the quality of its education system, with one respondent replying, “Scotland has the skirts for males with beautiful scenery, but England is the main part of the UK.”
Scottish voters will take part in a referendum on 18 September and will be asked one question, "Should Scotland become an independent country?"
