Scotland could be on the receiving end of more "panda diplomacy" as China steps up hostilities with the UK Government.
A state-run newspaper in the country has urged the Communist superpower to back the SNP's independence campaign in a move it said would send shockwaves through the Westminster Government.
Relations between the UK and China have been icy since Prime Minister David Cameron and his deputy Nick Clegg met the Dalai Lama last year. On the same trip First Minister Alex Salmond failed to meet the exiled Tibetan leader.
We moderate all comments on HeraldScotland on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.
Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.
