The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has renewed its SCOTCH WHISKY collective trademark for another decade, including its Chinese translation.

The initiation has been taken to protect the Scottish export from locally-produced counterfeit bottles.

The ten-year renewal took place during UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s three-day trade visit to China.

Scotch whisky exports generate a revenue of £127 every second, totalling more than £4bn annually.

“China is a key market for Scotch whisky, both now and in the future, and legal protection is the firm foundation on which our future trade is built.”

Since securing trademark protection in 2008, the SWA has worked closely with the British Embassy and the Chinese authorities to deal with the nearly 200 locally produced fake spirits. Spirits carrying nearly 100 trademarks featuring Scottish words and images have been identified.

SWA CEO Karen Betts said: “The renewal of the SCOTCH WHISKY trademark is an important step in securing future growth for the world’s leading high-quality spirit drink in China, the world’s largest spirits market.

“While challenges remain, Scotch Whisky producers can be confident that the Chinese government officially recognises Scotch whisky as a Scottish product, produced according to traditional methods that should be given special recognition in the Chinese market.

“China is a key market for Scotch whisky, both now and in the future, and legal protection is the firm foundation on which our future trade is built.”

About 25 bottles of Scotch whisky are exported to China every minute.

International Trade secretary Dr Liam Fox said: “China is a key market for British goods and services with exports increasing by 25% over the last year to more than £59bn and it is my ambition to ensure that the trade relationship between our two countries continues to grow.”