Jack McConnell with the director of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor Zhu Zhan

He told Zhang Yesui that the Scottish people shared the UK Government's concerns on the matter.

Mr McConnell is on a five day trip to China to discuss areas of interest, including education and tourism.

He said he supported a tourist agreement between China and the UK, which would allow Chinese tourists to travel to the UK for leisure.

Chris Ballance, of the Scottish Green Party, said he was delighted to hear that Mr McConnell had raised the issue of human rights during his China trip.

He added: "I also welcome the fact that the Chinese recently received a delegation from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and hope that that dialogue will also continue."

However, Mr Ballance said the party was dismayed that the first minister had yet to raise the issue of climate change.

Declining population

On the first day of the China visit, Mr McConnell announced government funding to support an exchange programme between Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Gardens and the Yuman province in south-west China.

He said: "The Royal Botanic Gardens is one of Europe's most important scientific institutions and we are very proud of it.

"I am particularly proud of the work that it is carrying out in partnership with the Chinese people."

The Chinese economy is one of the biggest in the world and Mr McConnell said it was imperative to seize the opportunities that are offered.

Mr McConnell's trip is part of the Fresh Talent campaign, aimed at tackling Scotland's declining population.

I am determined that Scotland shall seize the opportunities offered by the Chinese economy Jack McConnell MSP First Minister

The Scottish Executive, which already has full-time representatives in Washington and Brussels, is to base a permanent official in Beijing.

The first minister's itinerary also includes a number of speeches at business and education receptions, visits to the Chinese offices of a series of Scots firms and an announcement of new links between a school in Shanghai and one in Scotland.

Scottish exports to China are running at �156m per year.

Twenty-five Scottish companies have a presence in China and government enterprise body Scottish Development International already has an office in Beijing.

The number of Chinese students studying in Scotland has grown nearly sevenfold since 1999, accounting for 18% of Scotland's annual intake of international students.

The first minister said: "It is now time to step up our efforts to boost Scotland's international image and grow our economy.

"I am determined that Scotland shall seize the opportunities offered by the Chinese economy, one of the biggest in the world."

He added: "Over the last 12 months we have opened new doors in China and this week we will establish new partnerships for our universities, colleges, schools and Scottish companies."