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| Xi Jinping visit: UK royal banquet prepared as MPs set to greet Chinese president - live | Xi Jinping visit: UK royal banquet prepared as MPs set to greet Chinese president - live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 11.01am BST11:01 | |
| There’s a party atmosphere down on the Mall as the pro-Chinese demonstrators await Xi’s carriage. | |
| Pro Chinese at #ChinaStateVisit @bbc5live pic.twitter.com/TCwu0mrwok | |
| Here's a dragon giving it laldy. https://t.co/VrA0NSBLYU | |
| 10.57am BST10:57 | |
| Peter Walker | |
| If Xi Jiping does spot any human rights protesters as he sweeps down the Mall to Buckingham Palace in about an hour, he’ll need to look pretty carefully. | |
| So far a mere 15 or so metres of one side of the street is set aside for a few dozen protesters from the Falungong spiritual group, banned as a”cult” in China in 1999 and brutally repressed since. Some more rights activists are due there soon. | |
| The rest of the Mall is filled with many thousands of Chinese nationals beating flags and banners to welcome their president. It’s a massive turnout, many deep already near the palace and several deep further away. | |
| The people I talked to - mainly young, many of them students in London - were reluctant to talk about human rights. | |
| “I don’t know much about this group,” said Lulu Guo, an interior design student from southern China. “I’m here because it’s exciting to see our president.” | |
| There is clearly a significant element of organisation about the pro-Xi crowds, with many in identical “I heart China” t-shirts and carrying identical banners on telescopic poles. | |
| Some of the crowd insisted they had made the flags and banners themselves, but they could be seen being removed from boxes carrying freight labels from China Southern, an airline. | |
| One group of students referred all media to their “leader”, a man from Beijing who said he was a teacher on holiday with no official position. | |
| Despite the supposed ban on drums to drown out any human rights chants, there are many drummers here now. | |
| Updated at 10.58am BST | |
| 10.46am BST10:46 | |
| Our correspondent Peter Walker has found the source of the Chinese banners on the Mall for the protest today - they are, unsurprisingly, made in China. The Chinese written on the box shows that 270 pieces, weighing 4,024kg were shipped from the southern city of Guangzhou to Beijing earlier this month by China Southern Airlines. | |
| If pro-Xi banners are all London made, seems odd they come in boxes bearing China Southern airline cargo labels... pic.twitter.com/DUL9WVjxpx | |
| Updated at 10.54am BST | |
| 10.44am BST10:44 | |
| Tata Steel has confirmed that nearly 1,200 jobs will go in Scunthorpe and Scotland, blaming China in part for the collapse of the industry in a statement that will hang heavy over today’s ceremonial proceedings. | |
| Tata said: there have been “a shift in market conditions caused by a flood of cheap imports, particularly from China, a strong pound and high electricity costs.” | |
| Follow our live coverage of the steel crisis here: | |
| Related: Steel crisis grows as Tata confirms 1,170 job cuts - business live | |
| 10.26am BST10:26 | 10.26am BST10:26 |
| There’s quite a trend in the adverts in this morning’s Financial Times - six full-page Chinese state-owned company adverts welcoming Xi Jinping to London, and a seventh centred on China from French bank BNP Paribas. | There’s quite a trend in the adverts in this morning’s Financial Times - six full-page Chinese state-owned company adverts welcoming Xi Jinping to London, and a seventh centred on China from French bank BNP Paribas. |
| Bit of a theme in the adverts in the FT this morning #ChinaStateVisit pic.twitter.com/pwFKqzXqdu | Bit of a theme in the adverts in the FT this morning #ChinaStateVisit pic.twitter.com/pwFKqzXqdu |
| 10.05am BST10:05 | 10.05am BST10:05 |
| There seems to be an unnerving uniformity to the “homemade” decorations the Chinese supporters have brought to their protest on the Mall. | There seems to be an unnerving uniformity to the “homemade” decorations the Chinese supporters have brought to their protest on the Mall. |
| Pro-Xi protesters have hundreds of identical giant banners on metal poles... but all insist they made them themselves. | Pro-Xi protesters have hundreds of identical giant banners on metal poles... but all insist they made them themselves. |
| I ask one young man why all the boxes the banners came from were identical. "We must have all gone to the same print shop," he replies. | I ask one young man why all the boxes the banners came from were identical. "We must have all gone to the same print shop," he replies. |
| The Press Association’s Joe Nerssessian has the (rather obvious) explanation. | The Press Association’s Joe Nerssessian has the (rather obvious) explanation. |
| @peterwalker99 Chinese woman just confirmed they've come from embassy. Tshirts and hats too | @peterwalker99 Chinese woman just confirmed they've come from embassy. Tshirts and hats too |
| Updated at 10.26am BST | Updated at 10.26am BST |
| 10.03am BST10:03 | 10.03am BST10:03 |
| China expert James McGregor has some harsh words for the politicians cosying up to Xi on this visit, warning that Britain is acting like a “panting puppy” which it would come to bitterly regret. | China expert James McGregor has some harsh words for the politicians cosying up to Xi on this visit, warning that Britain is acting like a “panting puppy” which it would come to bitterly regret. |
| The chairman of consultancy group APCO Worldwide’s Chinese operations told the Today programme: | The chairman of consultancy group APCO Worldwide’s Chinese operations told the Today programme: |
| This is incredible what’s going on right now, with the British Government saying ‘we want to be your best friend, we want to be your best friend, we’ll do anything for it’. | This is incredible what’s going on right now, with the British Government saying ‘we want to be your best friend, we want to be your best friend, we’ll do anything for it’. |
| Well, if you act like a panting puppy, the object of your attention is going to think they have got you on a leash. | Well, if you act like a panting puppy, the object of your attention is going to think they have got you on a leash. |
| China does not respect people that suck up to him. I think England is going to rue the day they did this. | China does not respect people that suck up to him. I think England is going to rue the day they did this. |
| 9.59am BST09:59 | 9.59am BST09:59 |
| It’s certainly looking like a celebratory atmosphere on the Mall this morning, with pro-China protesters far outnumbering any human rights demonstrators so far. | It’s certainly looking like a celebratory atmosphere on the Mall this morning, with pro-China protesters far outnumbering any human rights demonstrators so far. |
| 9.57am BST09:57 | 9.57am BST09:57 |
| Tom Phillips | Tom Phillips |
| I’ve been speaking to Willy Lam, the author of a recent book on Xi Jinping, about the state visit. | I’ve been speaking to Willy Lam, the author of a recent book on Xi Jinping, about the state visit. |
| Lam thinks China’s strongman leader will be overjoyed with the reception he receives today as he is taken to Buckingham Palace. | Lam thinks China’s strongman leader will be overjoyed with the reception he receives today as he is taken to Buckingham Palace. |
| “I think he will feel ecstatic. He will feel out of this world. The British royalty is perhaps the most storied monarchy in the world. Being afforded this welcome will give him a similar feeling to what he must have felt when he was overseeing the military parade in Beijing on 3 September,” he says. | “I think he will feel ecstatic. He will feel out of this world. The British royalty is perhaps the most storied monarchy in the world. Being afforded this welcome will give him a similar feeling to what he must have felt when he was overseeing the military parade in Beijing on 3 September,” he says. |
| Lam believes today’s pomp and circumstance has significant political value to Xi Jinping whose domestic reputation as an all-powerful commander-in-chief has suffered this year because of the stock market turmoil in China. “His popularity has been dented,” Lam says. “Many people have lost money.” | Lam believes today’s pomp and circumstance has significant political value to Xi Jinping whose domestic reputation as an all-powerful commander-in-chief has suffered this year because of the stock market turmoil in China. “His popularity has been dented,” Lam says. “Many people have lost money.” |
| Lam thinks Xi’s reception in London will help him bolster China’s reputation as a “semi-super power”. But, for Britain, the decision to roll out the reddest of carpets comes at a price. | Lam thinks Xi’s reception in London will help him bolster China’s reputation as a “semi-super power”. But, for Britain, the decision to roll out the reddest of carpets comes at a price. |
| “British people should know that this enthusiastic welcome that is being afforded to Xi Jinping will be used by the Communist party’s propaganda department to burnish the reputation of an authoritarian leader who has significantly stepped up the crackdown on all kinds of dissent,” he says. | “British people should know that this enthusiastic welcome that is being afforded to Xi Jinping will be used by the Communist party’s propaganda department to burnish the reputation of an authoritarian leader who has significantly stepped up the crackdown on all kinds of dissent,” he says. |
| Many in Hong Kong, the former British colony where Lam lives, were furious that David Cameron appeared to be ignoring its struggle to wrestle democracy from Beijing. | Many in Hong Kong, the former British colony where Lam lives, were furious that David Cameron appeared to be ignoring its struggle to wrestle democracy from Beijing. |
| “Britain has not said a single word but instead seems to be cuddling up to the new emperor,” he said. | “Britain has not said a single word but instead seems to be cuddling up to the new emperor,” he said. |
| 9.48am BST09:48 | 9.48am BST09:48 |
| Peter Walker has been out speaking to pro-Chinese demonstrators at the meticulously organised demonstration on The Mall this morning. | Peter Walker has been out speaking to pro-Chinese demonstrators at the meticulously organised demonstration on The Mall this morning. |
| Pro Xi demo v organised. Lots of professional-looking banners & "I heart China" T shirts. Many look like students. pic.twitter.com/m2oyY7hFtn | Pro Xi demo v organised. Lots of professional-looking banners & "I heart China" T shirts. Many look like students. pic.twitter.com/m2oyY7hFtn |
| Here's one of the many boxes of flags being handed out to pro-Xi crowd on the Mall. Almost all have flags. pic.twitter.com/4y6fAUX88c | Here's one of the many boxes of flags being handed out to pro-Xi crowd on the Mall. Almost all have flags. pic.twitter.com/4y6fAUX88c |
| When it comes to sheer acreage of flags and banners, the human rights protesters are looking vastly outnumbered. pic.twitter.com/0D76ifEIyb | When it comes to sheer acreage of flags and banners, the human rights protesters are looking vastly outnumbered. pic.twitter.com/0D76ifEIyb |
| London restaurant worker originally from Guangdong, S China poses with giant Mao picture on Mall pic.twitter.com/bs8S7p8hLQ | London restaurant worker originally from Guangdong, S China poses with giant Mao picture on Mall pic.twitter.com/bs8S7p8hLQ |
| Updated at 9.51am BST | Updated at 9.51am BST |
| 9.39am BST09:39 | 9.39am BST09:39 |
| Hammond: Britain has 'eyes wide open' | Hammond: Britain has 'eyes wide open' |
| Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has said Britain has its “eyes wide open” about China in an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. | Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has said Britain has its “eyes wide open” about China in an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. |
| He said: | He said: |
| I don’t think we are naive. It’s very much in our national interest to engage with China but we do so with our eyes wide open,” he added. | I don’t think we are naive. It’s very much in our national interest to engage with China but we do so with our eyes wide open,” he added. |
| I think we are developing a mature relationship with the Chinese. They know that we are looking not just to China but to many other countries for infrastructure investment in the UK. | I think we are developing a mature relationship with the Chinese. They know that we are looking not just to China but to many other countries for infrastructure investment in the UK. |
| One of the key issues David Cameron has been urged to raise is the proliferation of cheaper Chinese steel and its devastating effect on British industry. | One of the key issues David Cameron has been urged to raise is the proliferation of cheaper Chinese steel and its devastating effect on British industry. |
| The prime minister promised in the Commons on Monday that steel would be on his list of topics to discuss, as UK firm Caparo announced it was entering partial administration, with some 1,700 steel jobs at risk. | The prime minister promised in the Commons on Monday that steel would be on his list of topics to discuss, as UK firm Caparo announced it was entering partial administration, with some 1,700 steel jobs at risk. |
| Thousands more jobs have been lost in Redcar, Scunthorpe and Scotland earlier this month. | Thousands more jobs have been lost in Redcar, Scunthorpe and Scotland earlier this month. |
| Hammond told Radio 4 Today: | Hammond told Radio 4 Today: |
| If we had steel prices in the UK that were far out of line with the steel prices in other countries, our downstream industries would not be able to be competitive with the products they produce. | If we had steel prices in the UK that were far out of line with the steel prices in other countries, our downstream industries would not be able to be competitive with the products they produce. |
| So, we have got to get the balance right. Trying to protect our steel industry in a sensible way, which we are doing, but recognising that we operating in a global economy and we can’t simply build a wall around the UK. | So, we have got to get the balance right. Trying to protect our steel industry in a sensible way, which we are doing, but recognising that we operating in a global economy and we can’t simply build a wall around the UK. |
| Related: UK steelmakers urge PM to confront visiting Chinese president over 'unfair' dumping | Related: UK steelmakers urge PM to confront visiting Chinese president over 'unfair' dumping |
| Updated at 9.42am BST | Updated at 9.42am BST |
| 9.26am BST09:26 | 9.26am BST09:26 |
| Tom Phillips | Tom Phillips |
| The Guardian’s Beijing correspondent has been looking over the Chinese press this morning. | The Guardian’s Beijing correspondent has been looking over the Chinese press this morning. |
| There are cartoons galore in Chinese state media today, commemorating the start of Xi Jinping’s state visit to Britain. | There are cartoons galore in Chinese state media today, commemorating the start of Xi Jinping’s state visit to Britain. |
| Xinhua, China’s official news agency, has a three-minute animation showing Chairman Xi jetting off the London. | Xinhua, China’s official news agency, has a three-minute animation showing Chairman Xi jetting off the London. |
| “This is the first state visit to the UK in 10 years,” a voice over enthuses. “You know how important it is!” | “This is the first state visit to the UK in 10 years,” a voice over enthuses. “You know how important it is!” |
| The cartoon features a mockup of the giant red carpet down which Xi will strut later on today.Editors at the China Daily have opted for a video listicle celebrating what politicians are calling the “golden friendship” between London and Beijing. | The cartoon features a mockup of the giant red carpet down which Xi will strut later on today.Editors at the China Daily have opted for a video listicle celebrating what politicians are calling the “golden friendship” between London and Beijing. |
| Meanwhile in Chinese state media (answers: binge drinking, Susan Boyle, a belief in ghosts) https://t.co/ywoXqGFi7c pic.twitter.com/onVWxYawSg | Meanwhile in Chinese state media (answers: binge drinking, Susan Boyle, a belief in ghosts) https://t.co/ywoXqGFi7c pic.twitter.com/onVWxYawSg |
| Among its list of the “29 things that Chinese and British share” the newspaper highlights binge drinking, politicians who like smoking, period dramas, great philosophers, a fondness for Susan Boyle and Jackie Chan, a passion for boat racing and.... comfy trains! | Among its list of the “29 things that Chinese and British share” the newspaper highlights binge drinking, politicians who like smoking, period dramas, great philosophers, a fondness for Susan Boyle and Jackie Chan, a passion for boat racing and.... comfy trains! |
| Updated at 9.26am BST | Updated at 9.26am BST |
| 9.19am BST09:19 | 9.19am BST09:19 |
| Pro-China groups gather on the Mall to drown out protesters | Pro-China groups gather on the Mall to drown out protesters |
| Members of the pro-China protest are out on the Mall already to greet Xi Jinping, but their plans to drown out human rights demonstrators with a chorus of drumming have been scuppered by the royal parks regulations. | Members of the pro-China protest are out on the Mall already to greet Xi Jinping, but their plans to drown out human rights demonstrators with a chorus of drumming have been scuppered by the royal parks regulations. |
| My colleagues Ben Quinn and Vikram Dodd report this morning that the drummers cannot play in St James’ Park. | My colleagues Ben Quinn and Vikram Dodd report this morning that the drummers cannot play in St James’ Park. |
| Related: Pro-China groups blocked from using drums as Xi Jinping arrives in UK | Related: Pro-China groups blocked from using drums as Xi Jinping arrives in UK |
| Hundreds of protesters from Amnesty International, pro-Tibetan groups and other Chinese dissident groups are also planning to gather in the park on Tuesday morning before Xi is driven along the Mall to Buckingham Palace. | Hundreds of protesters from Amnesty International, pro-Tibetan groups and other Chinese dissident groups are also planning to gather in the park on Tuesday morning before Xi is driven along the Mall to Buckingham Palace. |
| It seems the pro-China protesters are earlier risers, according to Peter Walker. | It seems the pro-China protesters are earlier risers, according to Peter Walker. |
| I'm on the Mall ahead of Xi Jinping's arrival at Buckingham Palace later. So far the pro-China protesters greatly outnumber the antis. | I'm on the Mall ahead of Xi Jinping's arrival at Buckingham Palace later. So far the pro-China protesters greatly outnumber the antis. |
| So far the only protesters I've seen are Falungong people. They're penned in while pro Xi folk can go anywhere pic.twitter.com/pgXLxMVmHz | So far the only protesters I've seen are Falungong people. They're penned in while pro Xi folk can go anywhere pic.twitter.com/pgXLxMVmHz |
| Updated at 9.23am BST | Updated at 9.23am BST |
| 9.11am BST09:11 | 9.11am BST09:11 |
| Last night, Prince William made a direct appeal to Chinese people to boycott ivory and other endangered animal products used in traditional medicine. | Last night, Prince William made a direct appeal to Chinese people to boycott ivory and other endangered animal products used in traditional medicine. |
| The country is a key consumer of ivory, with demand for the valuable tusks threatening dwindling elephant populations. | The country is a key consumer of ivory, with demand for the valuable tusks threatening dwindling elephant populations. |
| The speech at King’s College London, on the eve of the presidential visit, was recorded for popular Chinese television show “Let’s Talk” - greeting viewers in Mandarin by saying xiexie, hen gaoxing he ni jianmian - “Thank you, I’m pleased to meet you.” | The speech at King’s College London, on the eve of the presidential visit, was recorded for popular Chinese television show “Let’s Talk” - greeting viewers in Mandarin by saying xiexie, hen gaoxing he ni jianmian - “Thank you, I’m pleased to meet you.” |
| “In the 33 years since I was born, we have lost around 70 percent of Africa’s elephant population. Of those that are left, 20,000 are being killed every year - that is 54 elephants killed every single day,” William said, in a speech that acknowledged the role his own ancesters had played in fuelling the demand for luxury goods made from wild species. | “In the 33 years since I was born, we have lost around 70 percent of Africa’s elephant population. Of those that are left, 20,000 are being killed every year - that is 54 elephants killed every single day,” William said, in a speech that acknowledged the role his own ancesters had played in fuelling the demand for luxury goods made from wild species. |
| “At this rate, children born this year, like my daughter Charlotte, will see the last wild elephants and rhinos die before their 25th birthdays,” he said. | “At this rate, children born this year, like my daughter Charlotte, will see the last wild elephants and rhinos die before their 25th birthdays,” he said. |
| William, who is one of the tallest members of the Royal family at 6ft 3, still had to crane his neck as he met legendary Chinese Basketball player Yao Ming, who is more than a foot taller at 7ft 6. | William, who is one of the tallest members of the Royal family at 6ft 3, still had to crane his neck as he met legendary Chinese Basketball player Yao Ming, who is more than a foot taller at 7ft 6. |
| 9.01am BST09:01 | 9.01am BST09:01 |
| Here’s the official schedule for Xi’s activities today: | Here’s the official schedule for Xi’s activities today: |
| 9.15am Charles and Camilla go to greet Xi at Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Knightsbridge | 9.15am Charles and Camilla go to greet Xi at Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Knightsbridge |
| 10.30am Ceremonial welcome by Queen on Horse Guards Parade | 10.30am Ceremonial welcome by Queen on Horse Guards Parade |
| 11.45am State carriage arrival at Buckingham Palace - protesters are expected to demonstrate on the Mall as the president arrives to highlight human rights abuses in China | 11.45am State carriage arrival at Buckingham Palace - protesters are expected to demonstrate on the Mall as the president arrives to highlight human rights abuses in China |
| 1.30pm Xi will view a display of Chinese items in Royal Collection | 1.30pm Xi will view a display of Chinese items in Royal Collection |
| 3.15pm The Chinese president will address both Houses of Parliament | 3.15pm The Chinese president will address both Houses of Parliament |
| 4.20pm Tea with Charles and Camilla at Clarence House | 4.20pm Tea with Charles and Camilla at Clarence House |
| 5.00pm Xi will be greeted by Prince William then meet Jeremy Corbyn at Buckingham Palace prior to State Banquet, which the Duchess of Cambridge will also attend | 5.00pm Xi will be greeted by Prince William then meet Jeremy Corbyn at Buckingham Palace prior to State Banquet, which the Duchess of Cambridge will also attend |
| 7.20pm Speeches at the State Banquet speeches at Buckingham Palace | 7.20pm Speeches at the State Banquet speeches at Buckingham Palace |
| 8.51am BST08:51 | 8.51am BST08:51 |
| Here’s Xi Jinping arriving with his wife Peng Liyuan at Heathrow Airport last night for the four-day state visit. | Here’s Xi Jinping arriving with his wife Peng Liyuan at Heathrow Airport last night for the four-day state visit. |
| 8.51am BST08:51 | 8.51am BST08:51 |
| China's Xi Jinping UK visit - day 1 | China's Xi Jinping UK visit - day 1 |
| Good morning, we’re liveblogging the visit of Xi Jinping, the first visit to Britain by a Chinese president in a decade. | Good morning, we’re liveblogging the visit of Xi Jinping, the first visit to Britain by a Chinese president in a decade. |