The thought of an independent Scotland supported by the government worries China as it gives Chinese separatists an example to follow.

According to Hong Kong based China observer Willy Lam, there is a certain level of concern in China that if Scotland succeeds in seceding from the United Kingdom, it might fuel similar separatist and secessionist movements in China.

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In an interview with the Financial Times, Lam said Scotland's journey toward independence might serve as an inspiration to Chinese separatists.

China has fought separatist movements in Xinjiang and Tibet for decades. The Chinese government treats separatism, along with religious extremism and terrorism, as part of the "three evil forces".

President Xi Jinping pledged to crush "these evils" under his leadership. He asked members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to make concentrated efforts in eliminating these forces during the recent Heads of State Summit in Tajikistan.

The Foreign Ministry of China has yet to release an official statement regarding the referendum, but a Chinese diplomat in Beijing stated that if Scotland becomes an independent state, it would mean "another ambassador."

During a visit to London by China's Premier Le Keqiang last June, he said that China would respect the outcome of the referendum but also hoped that Great Britain could remain united.

State controlled media in China clearly shows that it favors Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom. Part of an effort to dissuade the Chinese people that secessionist movements and separatism is detrimental to a country's well-being.

If Scotland succeeds in becoming an independent state, the UK would lose its status as a "first-class" country and would descend to a "second-rate" one, according to the Communist Party's influential tabloid the Global Times.

Other countries might also see an increase in secessionist movements if Scotland succeeds, which could have consequences in international geopolitics, it added.

The UK would lose its status as a "center of global politics, finance and culture," according to the Beijing News.
Various Chinese newspapers are also questioning why Scotland would risk destabilizing its economy if it is already well of in its current status as part of the UK.

TagsUnited Kingdom, Scotland, Scotland referendum