SCOTLaND and China celebrated a groundbreaking new union as the man widely expected to become the next Chinese premier met business and political leaders in Edinburgh yesterday at the start of a four-day visit to the UK. Li Keqiang, vice-premier, and First Minister alex Salmond confirmed a green energy deal initially worth ?6.4 million, between a Sino-Scots company and a Dumfriesshire-based engineering firm for processing domestic waste into energy. The Chinese statesman was met at the city s airport by Scottish Secretary Michael Moore as he began the trip aimed at boosting political and trade ties. Mr Salmond later welcomed the licensing agreement between Shanghai Huanuan Boiler and Vessel Co/Cochran and engineering company, W2E Engineering Ltd Scotland, which means that technology pioneered in Scotland will be introduced into China with the building of a renewable energy conversion plant. Security was tight with police cordons across the city as the motorcade with 14 vehicles ferried the VIPs around. Police said there had been no protests connected to the visit. Mr Li is leading a delegation which includes six Chinese ministers to discuss future trade, social and cultural links between the two countries. Following a meeting with Mr Moore, Mr Li then met Mr Salmond for bilateral talks. Later the delegation toured Pelamis Wave Power in Leith to learn about some of Scotland s offshore wind, wave and tidal energy capabilities. The event was to showcase Scotland s world-leading wind and marine energy technology developers and manufacturers, an