EDINBURGH, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan said Friday during a visit to Scotland that China hopes to strengthen cooperation with Scotland, especially in the areas of education, culture, tourism and finance.

    Wang, who is on an official visit to Britain, spoke during a meeting with Alex Salmond, Scotland's first minister.

    Both sides praised the friendship between China and Scotland and expressed a readiness to strengthen their cooperation as part of an effort to promote the all-round strategic partnership between China and Britain.

    During the meeting, the two also exchanged views on how to tackle the global financial crisis.

    "Currently we should further strengthen confidence in the market and recover the functions of the financial market as soon as possible," Wang said.

    After the outbreak of the Asian financial crisis, China adopted a series of measures that pulled it through the trouble and helped to maintain the stability of the financial market, Wang said.

    Salmond spoke highly of the economic stimulus packages arranged by the Chinese government to tackle the current financial crisis.

    Wang arrived at Edinburgh on Friday after a visit to the Europe Union