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Xi Jinping visit: Chinese leader given ceremonial welcome | Xi Jinping visit: Chinese leader given ceremonial welcome |
(35 minutes later) | |
China's President Xi Jinping is receiving a ceremonial welcome by the Queen as he begins the first full day of his visit to the UK. | China's President Xi Jinping is receiving a ceremonial welcome by the Queen as he begins the first full day of his visit to the UK. |
Mr Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, took part in a procession along The Mall to Buckingham Palace, where a state banquet will be held later. | Mr Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, took part in a procession along The Mall to Buckingham Palace, where a state banquet will be held later. |
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said Britain was going into closer relations with China with its "eyes wide open". | Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said Britain was going into closer relations with China with its "eyes wide open". |
He denied that the UK was acting like "a panting puppy" towards Beijing. | He denied that the UK was acting like "a panting puppy" towards Beijing. |
41-gun salute | |
Mr Xi was welcomed by the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and David Cameron during the ceremony in Horse Guards Parade, while a 41-gun salute was held in Green Park. | Mr Xi was welcomed by the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and David Cameron during the ceremony in Horse Guards Parade, while a 41-gun salute was held in Green Park. |
The Chinese president then took part in a carriage procession along The Mall, as he headed to Buckingham Palace for lunch with the Queen. | The Chinese president then took part in a carriage procession along The Mall, as he headed to Buckingham Palace for lunch with the Queen. |
Ministers expect more than £30bn of trade and investment deals to be struck during the four-day visit, which will also include talks between Mr Xi and Prime Minister David Cameron. | Ministers expect more than £30bn of trade and investment deals to be struck during the four-day visit, which will also include talks between Mr Xi and Prime Minister David Cameron. |
On Tuesday, Mr Xi will also: | On Tuesday, Mr Xi will also: |
Follow live updates of the visit | Follow live updates of the visit |
Analysis | Analysis |
By Peter Hunt, BBC royal correspondent | By Peter Hunt, BBC royal correspondent |
This was a British royal welcome for the president of a nation which for much of its history was ruled by emperors. | This was a British royal welcome for the president of a nation which for much of its history was ruled by emperors. |
The two countries' shared past — from the Chinese perspective — is littered with injustices, not least the Opium Wars. Today is about the shared future. | The two countries' shared past — from the Chinese perspective — is littered with injustices, not least the Opium Wars. Today is about the shared future. |
The Chinese, their officials say, tend to look forward. Just as well, given that their royal hosts include Prince Charles who once referred to Chinese officials as "appalling old waxworks"; and Prince Philip who warned some British students in China in the 1980s that they'd get "slitty eyes" if they stayed there too long. | The Chinese, their officials say, tend to look forward. Just as well, given that their royal hosts include Prince Charles who once referred to Chinese officials as "appalling old waxworks"; and Prince Philip who warned some British students in China in the 1980s that they'd get "slitty eyes" if they stayed there too long. |
The future, the two countries will continue to emphasise, involves trade deals and a nuclear plant on British soil designed, built and operated by the Chinese. | The future, the two countries will continue to emphasise, involves trade deals and a nuclear plant on British soil designed, built and operated by the Chinese. |
Others will focus on the human rights issues in a powerful country where free speech is suppressed. | Others will focus on the human rights issues in a powerful country where free speech is suppressed. |
Read more entries from Peter's blog | Read more entries from Peter's blog |
Protests have been held on The Mall by members of the Anti-China Free Tibet group and the human rights group Amnesty International, to coincide with the visit. | Protests have been held on The Mall by members of the Anti-China Free Tibet group and the human rights group Amnesty International, to coincide with the visit. |
Amid pressure to bring up China's record on human rights during political talks, a Downing Street spokeswoman said "nothing is off the table". | Amid pressure to bring up China's record on human rights during political talks, a Downing Street spokeswoman said "nothing is off the table". |
She said she expected China's cheap pricing of steel on the world market - blamed by UK industry figures for collapsing prices and subsequent job cuts - to be discussed. | She said she expected China's cheap pricing of steel on the world market - blamed by UK industry figures for collapsing prices and subsequent job cuts - to be discussed. |
China's human rights record and the threat from cyber attacks were also likely to come up during two planned rounds of "substantial" talks, she added. | China's human rights record and the threat from cyber attacks were also likely to come up during two planned rounds of "substantial" talks, she added. |
Mr Xi will also address both Houses of Parliament later and meet Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. | Mr Xi will also address both Houses of Parliament later and meet Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. |
The Treasury hopes to establish China within 10 years as Britain's second biggest trading partner. | The Treasury hopes to establish China within 10 years as Britain's second biggest trading partner. |
However, critics have accused the government of "kowtowing" to Beijing. | However, critics have accused the government of "kowtowing" to Beijing. |
"If you act like a panting puppy, the object of your attention is going to think they have got you on a leash," James McGregor, chairman of consultancy group APCO Worldwide's Chinese operations, said. | "If you act like a panting puppy, the object of your attention is going to think they have got you on a leash," James McGregor, chairman of consultancy group APCO Worldwide's Chinese operations, said. |
Mr Hammond denied the government was being naive, saying it was "very much in our national interest to engage with China". | Mr Hammond denied the government was being naive, saying it was "very much in our national interest to engage with China". |
"I think we are developing a mature relationship with the Chinese," he said. | "I think we are developing a mature relationship with the Chinese," he said. |
"They know that we are looking not just to China but to many other countries for infrastructure investment in the UK." | "They know that we are looking not just to China but to many other countries for infrastructure investment in the UK." |
The trip - the first UK state visit by a Chinese leader since 2005 - has been hailed by officials from both countries as the start of a "golden era" of relations. | The trip - the first UK state visit by a Chinese leader since 2005 - has been hailed by officials from both countries as the start of a "golden era" of relations. |
Chinese companies are to be allowed to take a stake in British nuclear power plants, and a trip by Mr Xi and Mr Cameron to Manchester later in the week is expected to see the announcement of further investment in the so-called "Northern powerhouse" project. | Chinese companies are to be allowed to take a stake in British nuclear power plants, and a trip by Mr Xi and Mr Cameron to Manchester later in the week is expected to see the announcement of further investment in the so-called "Northern powerhouse" project. |
But the visit comes as China's economy grew by just 6.9% in the third quarter, the weakest rate since the global financial crisis. | But the visit comes as China's economy grew by just 6.9% in the third quarter, the weakest rate since the global financial crisis. |
China and the UK | China and the UK |
China and 'the Osborne Doctrine' | China and 'the Osborne Doctrine' |
How China guards the Xi creation myth | How China guards the Xi creation myth |
Can UK be China's best partner in the West? | Can UK be China's best partner in the West? |
Who is President Xi Jinping? | Who is President Xi Jinping? |
Prince's absence | Prince's absence |
The state banquet will be attended by members of the Royal Family - including Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge - as well as Mr Cameron and Mr Corbyn. | The state banquet will be attended by members of the Royal Family - including Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge - as well as Mr Cameron and Mr Corbyn. |
Prince Charles, a friend of the exiled Tibetan leader, the Dalai Lama, will not be attending, but no official reason has been given for his absence. | Prince Charles, a friend of the exiled Tibetan leader, the Dalai Lama, will not be attending, but no official reason has been given for his absence. |
China's ambassador to the UK said he doubted Mr Corbyn would raise the issue of human rights at the banquet, but the Labour leader's spokesman said he would be "using the opportunity" of Mr Xi's visit to raise his concerns. | China's ambassador to the UK said he doubted Mr Corbyn would raise the issue of human rights at the banquet, but the Labour leader's spokesman said he would be "using the opportunity" of Mr Xi's visit to raise his concerns. |
China state visit: At a glance | China state visit: At a glance |
Tuesday | Tuesday |
Wednesday | Wednesday |
Thursday | Thursday |
Friday | Friday |
What is your reaction to the Chinese leader's visit to the UK? Are you in London and planning to see the entourage? You can share your comments and experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | What is your reaction to the Chinese leader's visit to the UK? Are you in London and planning to see the entourage? You can share your comments and experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |