Professor Bruce Whitelaw, Head of the Division of Developmental Biology at The Roslin Institute presented information about the Institute and took the delegation on a tour of The Roslin Institute Building. The visitors also met Professor Geoff Simm, Academic Director & Vice Principal of Research at the Scottish Agricultural College, for further discussions about the concentration of Animal Scientists in Midlothian.

Professor Whitelaw said of the visit: "It was great to be able to welcome a delegation from China's Shandong Province and to discuss the cutting-edge research carried out at The Roslin Institute. Research at The Roslin Institute covers a number of global issues, including looking at the transfer of viruses between species - such as avian flu - or how genomics can help improve livestock production and help ensure food sustainability. The Roslin Institute has a number of international research collaborations and such visits are very important for strengthening international relationships."

"This was a successful visit and the delegation seemed genuinely excited about opportunity for interaction between The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh and Shandong. They left promising to set up dialogue between the academic, agricultural organisations in their province with us."

Shandong is the second most populated province in China with 95M people and a rapidly growing economy.