Chinese vice-PM eyes Scottish power

EDINBURGH, Scotland, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Britain's wind and tidal energy projects were among the priorities of Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang's state visit to Scotland Sunday.

Li, widely expected to become China's next leader after Wen Jiabao resigns or dies, arrived in Edinburgh Sunday for talks with regional officials and business leaders, the BBC said.

Of particular interest to China, Li was exploring Britain's efforts at harnessing tidal North Sea currents and wind as alternative energy resources, the report said.

The 4-day British tour follows a 4-day visit to Spain, where Li committed his government to purchasing more than $7 billion of government debt.

He and six other government ministers also met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel last week, the report said.

Among the deals Li struck in Scotland was one which stipulated all "Scotch whisky" sold in China must have originated in Scotland.