Apply now for the China-Scotland Business Awards 2025 – Focus – China Britain Business Council

The China-Scotland Business Awards 2025 will recognise and celebrate achievements in trade and investment between Scotland and China. The winners of the 9th annual awards will be announced at a special ceremony during
the China-Britain Business Council’s Chinese-Burns Supper on 30 January 2025 in Glasgow.

CBBC’s Chinese Burns Supper will feature a fusion of Burns Night traditions — including a ceilidh — with those of Chinese New Year as a backdrop for black-tie networking. Don’t miss this opportunity to ring in the Year of the Snake with CBBC.

Click here to apply for the awards — Applications close 9 December!

Click here to buy tickets to the Chinese Burns Supper

Introducing the China-Scotland Business Awards 2025 award categories

China Welcome of the Year (for Retail / Travel / Hospitality) – Apply here

This category is a reflection of the strong return of Chinese visitors to Scotland over the past 12 months, who bring so much to the local economy. The award seeks to recognise Scottish companies in the retail, travel and hospitality sectors who have gone over and above in welcoming Chinese visitors to Scotland. 

Chinese Corporate of the Year – Apply here

Chinese businesses continue to invest and grow in Scotland across a whole range of important sectors of our economy, which is something we seek to encourage and support. This category will recognise the significant contributions Chinese businesses continue to make to the Scottish economy. Applicants can include both established and newly incorporated businesses in Scotland, whose owners/founders or significant shareholders are from Mainland China and Hong Kong. 

Educational Partnership of the Year (open to all UK Institutions) – Apply here

In recognition of this year’s partnership with the UK-China Joint Institute Alliance (JIA), we’ve decided to widen eligibility to include UK-wide institutions for the first time. Educational institutions/companies of any size will be recognised for the exciting partnerships they have established between the UK and China and the impact they are making.

Scottish Corporate in Hong Kong 2025 – Apply here

Hong Kong remains a dynamic market from which businesses can access the plethora of business opportunities within Southeast Asia and Mainland China itself. We will be celebrating Scottish businesses with a footprint in Hong Kong. Nominations/applications will be open to both new entrants and established businesses, as long as the business still retains a registered office in Scotland. 

Marketing Campaign of the Year – Apply here

Open to both agencies as well as product/service owners themselves, this category is looking to recognise excellence in the marketing of either Chinese products or services in Scotland or vice-versa. Agencies do not need to be based in Scotland but if not, the campaign in question should have a Scotland-China focus.  

ESG Champion of the Year – Apply here

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) is already a key attribute for successful and sustainable business practices in Scotland and China. This category would like to celebrate Chinese and Scottish businesses who have demonstrated their commitment to ESG strategies over the past year in either Scotland or China in particular in support of net zero and the principles of Fair Work First. Organisations can hail from any sector and be of any size.  

Professional Advisory of the Year – Apply here

Working in support of the many exporters, investors, universities and entrepreneurs are a whole host of professional advisory services without whom many of the deals and partnerships we celebrate in other categories would simply not be possible. This category is open to advisory firms (accountants, lawyers, bankers, IP experts all welcome!) who have advised either Chinese corporates in Scotland or Scottish businesses in China over the past 12 months. Firms don’t necessarily have to be based in Scotland themselves, but if not their clients would need to be.

Last year’s winners

Marketing Campaign of the Year

• Edinburgh Tourism Action Group, China Ready Initiative

ESG Champion of the Year

• Alliance for Water Stewardship 

Professional Advisory of the Year

Scottish Corporate in Hong Kong 2024

• Museum Context Hong Kong 

Chinese Corporate of the Year

• COES Caledonia (UK) Limited 

Dragon Award for Pioneering Spirit

Educational Partnership of the Year

• The University of Edinburgh – The Zhejiang University – University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJE).

Click here to read more about last year’s winners