Dave Valentine MBE, a well-known Scottish businessman and former Assistant Chief Executive and Head of Economic Development with Angus Council, has been awarded honorary citizenship of Shandong.
This award is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon a foreigner by any Provincial government in China. The certificate was signed by Mr. Li Ganjie, the Governor of Shandong, in recognition of Valentine’s longstanding dedication to building education, enterprise and people-topeople links between Shandong and Scotland.
In normal circumstances the award would be presented in person in Jinan, Shandong’s capital city.
However, because of the COVID19 pandemic travel and quarantine restrictions, a formal online
presentation is planned for 22 November 2021 (at 0830hrs GMT).
Valentine commented “I feel privileged and grateful to receive this special honour. It is a huge
milestone on the bridge that links Scotland and China and is a welcome sign of encouragement for
my personal China journey.
The governments of Shandong and Scotland have already developed significant educational, trade
and cultural links and strengthening these will bring even greater mutual benefits. I believe that more engagement and deeper insights are needed to combat the growing fears and misunderstandings that so often dominate thinking in today’s complex and conflicting geopolitical world.
My journey so far has taught me that we have more common interests than people may think; and that links between our two countries are more productive and long lasting when facilitated through personal ties and friendships. When I think of my connections with Chinese government officials & diplomats, entrepreneurs, professors, scientists, and scholars I see them first as individuals and their personal stories and our shared experiences provide a much deeper bond of trust and confidence. As Honorary Citizen of Shandong I will strive to connect more people in Shandong and Scotland to
think and work together as friends and colleagues for the benefit of China as well as the UK. This in turn will highlight the tremendous commercial, cultural and educational assets that Angus and Scotland has to offer wherever my China journey takes me in the future.”
Mr. Cai Xianjin, Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Office of Shandong Provincial People’s Government in Jinan, Shandong Province commented:
“At the outset, on behalf of Shandong Provincial Foreign Affairs Office, I would like to congratulate Mr. David Valentine on winning the award of Honorary Citizen of Shandong Province and extend my sincere thanks to Mr. Valentine for his remarkable contributions to the friendship and cooperation between Shandong and Scotland over the years.
Honorary Citizen of Shandong Province is the highest honour established by Shandong Provincial Government to commend foreign friends who have long been committed to Shandong's friendly exchanges with foreign countries. Since 1996, Mr. Valentine has been dedicated to the friendship between Shandong and Scotland for 25 years.
In particular, he has made great efforts in promoting the establishment of sister-city relations between Yantai and Angus, as well as facilitating contacts and cooperation between enterprises and institutions of both sides, realising fruitful achievements and deepening mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. Mr. Valentine loves Chinese culture and supports the development of Shandong. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, he has done his best to promote exchanges and cooperation between enterprises and institutions of both sides in various forms. Shandong Provincial Foreign Affairs Office deeply appreciates his efforts. Over the years, Shandong has been implementing the strategy of growth driving transformation and focusing on high-tech and green development issues, including the digital economy, environmental protection, energy conservation and emission reduction, creating broad space for deeper ShandongScotland cooperation. I am convinced that Mr. Valentine, the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, and other institutions and firms will play a bigger role in our cooperation. I also look forward to meeting
Mr. Valentine and other Scottish friends in person for future cooperation.”
Prof Dame Joan K Stringer DBE FRSE, the first ever Briton to be given this honour in 2006 commented
“Dave Valentine has, over many years, been an assiduous and energetic promoter of Scottish business overseas and has helped foster many international trade and cultural links, important to the Scottish economy. But none have been more significant than the relationship developed with China over many years. His particular focus has been on building and strengthening the 2006 cooperation agreement between Scotland and Shandong Province, fostering partnerships and enabling businesses to successfully take advantage of the opportunities offered by those relationships and networks to develop new markets and inward investment. His work has resulted in many accolades including becoming an honorary citizen of Yantai in 2008.
So it is eminently fitting that his distinguished achievements have now been recognised by the Shandong Provincial Government as the recipient of the award of Honorary Citizen of Shandong, the highest international award that the Province offers. I am delighted to add my congratulations for an honour so richly deserved.”
Chinese Consul General Ma Qiang based in Edinburgh commented……
“I most warmly congratulate David Valentine MBE on being awarded the Honorary Citizenship of
Shandong Province, China.
Mr. Valentine has been playing a very positive and important role in promoting trade links and people-to-people exchanges between China and Scotland, in particular with a focus on Shandong Province. He deserves to win this award for his unremitting efforts and substantial contribution in this regard.
Meantime, I think he sets a very good example for other British people on working with China. I look forward to seeing more people inspired by David as well as himself make new contribution to ChinaUK relations. The Chinese Consulate-General in Edinburgh stands ready to support as best as we can. I am confident that we will celebrate further success in the years to come.”
Angus Provost Ronnie Proctor commented
“I am delighted to see this great honour awarded to a citizen of Angus in recognition of his tremendous achievements, not only for his business achievements but also for the cultural and educational links that he has helped to forge. As we see with the many challenges we face globally, it has never been more important to work together to share common understanding and respect our differences to bring us ever closer to achieve shared goals.
Mr Valentine has achieved a huge amount in forging these important links with Shandong and as
Provost of Angus, I fully acknowledge the great honour done to him by the Governor of Shandong. I warmly congratulate him and wish him every success in using this honour to continue his important work.”
Dr Liz Cameron OBE, Chief Executive and Director of Scottish Chambers of Commerce Network added her immense congratulations:
“David Valentine MBE has done so much in the development of trade links and relationships between Scotland and China. He richly deserves this outstanding recognition from Shandong – only the second ever Scot to do.
His commitment, energy, expertise, and experience are vast. We are honoured that he is our SCC Trade Ambassador to China. He has been instrumental in winning a number of key contracts and orders for small and medium sized businesses throughout Scotland.
He is a true “international asset” for Scotland and China and a very unique individual.”
James Brodie, Commercial Director, China-Britain Business Council added
“Dave has been an integral part of Scotland’s China-facing business community for many years. He served on the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC)’s Steering Group in Scotland for over a decade when it first opened an office in Glasgow in 1995. CBBC was heavily involved in several of the early pioneering trade missions between Angus and Shandong in the 1990s when Dave first made contact with the province.
Many businesses and local government delegates have visited China on missions we’ve organised from Scotland over the years but it’s rare to see someone follow-up and maintain links in the committed way Dave has managed. This well-deserved honour is testament to his long-term engagement, desire and ability to forge economic ties between Scotland and Shandong and we congratulate him on this.
Valentine International Business Connections LLP
Valentine International Business Connections LLP (VIBC) has established a mature network of high-level business connections in a number of cities throughout China. Strong personal relationships have been forged with key government officials; business groups; golf networks and companies at local and national level in China and the UK.
