Scotland's leader Alex Salmond seeks better ties after independence vote

China's seemingly insatiable demand for the finest salmon is safe in Scottish hands, and there will always be more than enough whisky with which to wash it down.

So pledged Scotland's independence-seeking first minister, Alex Salmond, yesterday at the end of a five-day trade visit to Beijing and Hong Kong during which he made clear that China would become a key economic partner if the Scottish people voted to end their political union with the United Kingdom for the first time in more than 300 years.

Salmond, who is spearheading the campaign for a "yes" vote in the September 2014 independence referendum, also trumpeted what he described as a victory over British Prime Minister David Cameron by forcing him to reverse a decision to deny visas to two Chinese academics teaching in Scotland's growing number of Confucius Institutes.

Before his departure to Beijing, Salmond criticised the Home Office for the decision, branding it "ridiculous" and "deeply offensive".

In a letter addressed to Home Secretary Theresa May dated last Friday, Salmond complained that the refusal would "sabotage" a Scottish government initiative and damage its relationship with China. Scotland is part of the UK and has a devolved parliament.

In a separate letter addressed to Cameron, Salmond demanded a reversal of the decision. He wrote that he would be meeting Hanban, the Chinese government-backed agency that runs the Confucius Institutes, adding: "When asked about this … how do you suggest I explain this ridiculous policy?"