Hamish Macdonell

THE Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao’s first official visit to Scotland was briefly overshadowed by .. demonstrators yesterday.

Mr Hu, who is tipped to be the next Chinese leader, toured several Edinburgh attractions before dining at Edinburgh Castle with First Minister Henry McLeish.

But during his visits to the Royal Botanic Garden and the National Museum of Scotland, he was met by protesters.

Around 30 people from the Falun Gong spiritual group - which believes in peaceful exercise and meditation system and is banned in China - gathered at the garden next to 50 people from China or of Chinese origin who had arrived to welcome the vice president.

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