Film star Yong Mei has been named Official Chinese Ambassador of Tourism in Edinburgh during a ceremony at the City Chambers.
Yong is in the capital to film three short travel programmes about the city with China’s leading online video-streaming platform iQIYI.
She won the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival for her part in So Long, My Son.
Yong said: “It’s a great honour for me to be named as the Chinese Ambassador of Tourism in Edinburgh. The unique history and culture of Edinburgh has always held a deep fascination for me.
“I am delighted to visit Edinburgh as the Chinese Ambassador of Tourism, and to discover more about the city. I am looking forward to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Scotland.”
Lord Provost of Edinburgh Frank Ross and Chinese Consul General Pan Xinchun both spoke at the ceremony, where Yong was presented diamond jewellery by Richard Laing, director of ETAG China Ready project partner Laings the Jewellers.
Robin Worsnop, chair of ETAG, said: “We are honoured to name Ms Yong Mei as Official Chinese Ambassador of Tourism in Edinburgh. Yong Mei is a well-respected, sophisticated actress, as such she is a perfect fit for Edinburgh.
“Her visit is a great example of how Edinburgh businesses are working together through the China Ready Project to build Edinburgh’s Chinese visitor market.”
The second annual Scotland China Ready Tourism Conference takes place on 11 June at Edinburgh’s Waldorf Astoria.
