Referendum for sustained growth

"This is based on clear competitive advantages and investment propositions in industries such as energy, life sciences and financial services."

Taylor adds: "China remains a priority market for Scotland.

"Looking ahead, Chinese people will be interested in more and more of Scotland's great companies and products, not only whisky and golf, but technology, tourism and new consumer products from digital games to textiles.

"Scotland will also be the home to more and more growing Chinese companies, building on the success of the many who have already found a new home there, as it sustains its position as one of Europe's best inward investment locations."

Diane Duncan, head of low carbon with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, has been focusing her efforts on growing the value of Scotland's water sector, and in particular, boosting SME capability and exports.

"We have a number of companies already working in China in the environmental sector, and indeed China is looking for technologies to address growing and very real water quality and pollution problems," she says.

"Scotland has an excellent reputation for water excellence, and this is no accident. The governance and regulation of Scotland's utilities are unique, and its agencies recognize that environment is the economy.

"The referendum has put a spotlight on Scotland, and now it needs to build on the positive perceptions of a progressive country to help deliver economic growth."

At the Asia Scotland Institute we are also doing our bit. The institute's goal is to equip Scotland's leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to engage more effectively with China and the rest of Asia.

We achieve this by offering a series of innovative programs and events, including talks by business leaders such as Dominic Barton, global head of McKinsey & Company.

Next spring we will be hosting a two-day "Building Bridges" conference in Edinburgh, which aims to help develop business and economic links across the globe through commerce, tourism, culture and higher education.

Our independence referendum may have been a momentous moment in history.

But when it comes to Sino-Scottish relations our watchword is business. We've made great strides already. We must keep calm and carry on.

Roddy Gow OBE is chairman and founder of the Asia Scotland Institute. The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.