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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2015/oct/20/xi-jinping-visit-uk-royal-banquet-prepared-as-mps-set-to-greet-chinese-president-live
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| Version 23 | Version 24 |
|---|---|
| Chinese president hosted by Queen at Buckingham Palace state banquet – as it happened | Chinese president hosted by Queen at Buckingham Palace state banquet – as it happened |
| (25 days later) | |
| 10.58pm BST | 10.58pm BST |
| 22:58 | 22:58 |
| The banquet at Buckingham Palace is reaching the end of its musical programme by now to the strains of ‘Nobody Does it Better’ (not this version). | The banquet at Buckingham Palace is reaching the end of its musical programme by now to the strains of ‘Nobody Does it Better’ (not this version). |
| Bond fans will of course recognise it as the theme tune from The Spy Who Loved Me, which is about the disappearance of two nuclear missile submarines. | Bond fans will of course recognise it as the theme tune from The Spy Who Loved Me, which is about the disappearance of two nuclear missile submarines. |
| The programme finishes with pipe music from 4th battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland and the Army School of Bagpipe Music. | The programme finishes with pipe music from 4th battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland and the Army School of Bagpipe Music. |
| We’re going to wrap up this blog now, but will leave you with this representation of the Xi visit, courtesy of Steve Bell: | We’re going to wrap up this blog now, but will leave you with this representation of the Xi visit, courtesy of Steve Bell: |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.25pm BST | at 11.25pm BST |
| 10.49pm BST | 10.49pm BST |
| 22:49 | 22:49 |
| Steve Hilton, David Cameron’s sneaker-clad former chief strategist, has been telling the BBC that the UK shouldn’t be “sucking up to China”- rather it should be pushing for sanctions against Beijing. | Steve Hilton, David Cameron’s sneaker-clad former chief strategist, has been telling the BBC that the UK shouldn’t be “sucking up to China”- rather it should be pushing for sanctions against Beijing. |
| He told BBC’s Newsnight: “I think this is one of the worst national humiliations since we went cap in hand to the IMF’s in the seventies”. | He told BBC’s Newsnight: “I think this is one of the worst national humiliations since we went cap in hand to the IMF’s in the seventies”. |
| It’s a point which Hilton has pressed home in Guardian (you can read him in full here). | It’s a point which Hilton has pressed home in Guardian (you can read him in full here). |
| As well as China’s human rights record at home, Hilton cites China’s “relentless cyber attacks,” adding: “The truth is that China is a rogue state, just like Iran, and I don’t understand why we are sucking up to them.” | As well as China’s human rights record at home, Hilton cites China’s “relentless cyber attacks,” adding: “The truth is that China is a rogue state, just like Iran, and I don’t understand why we are sucking up to them.” |
| “Why are we not rolling out the carpet to a country like India?” | “Why are we not rolling out the carpet to a country like India?” |
| Martin Sorrell, Chief Executive at WPP, is also a guest on the programme and disagrees: | Martin Sorrell, Chief Executive at WPP, is also a guest on the programme and disagrees: |
| “To suggest that we are not going to roll out the red carpet for Prime Minister Modi [of India] is false. The answer is to do both.” | “To suggest that we are not going to roll out the red carpet for Prime Minister Modi [of India] is false. The answer is to do both.” |
| “You ignore China at your peril. Our experience has been that the Chinese do listen and learn and we underestimate their capacity to listen and learn.” | “You ignore China at your peril. Our experience has been that the Chinese do listen and learn and we underestimate their capacity to listen and learn.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.08pm BST | at 11.08pm BST |
| 10.26pm BST | 10.26pm BST |
| 22:26 | 22:26 |
| The Guardian puts an image of Xi meeting the Queen on the front page, above a report on how David Cameron has been urged to challenge the Chinese president over job losses in the British steel industry following the announcement of 1,200 redundancies by the UK’s largest steelmaker | The Guardian puts an image of Xi meeting the Queen on the front page, above a report on how David Cameron has been urged to challenge the Chinese president over job losses in the British steel industry following the announcement of 1,200 redundancies by the UK’s largest steelmaker |
| GUARDIAN: Tory rebellion grows on tax credits #tomorrowspaperstoday #BBCPapers pic.twitter.com/cdyf1cyj5n | GUARDIAN: Tory rebellion grows on tax credits #tomorrowspaperstoday #BBCPapers pic.twitter.com/cdyf1cyj5n |
| 10.24pm BST | 10.24pm BST |
| 22:24 | 22:24 |
| Xi’s visit is getting front page treatment in Wednesday’s British newspapers, with the Financial Times leading on a report that the UK is hoping to unlock £30bn worth of Chinese investment, although there are questions over issues such as the absence of discussion about human rights in China. | Xi’s visit is getting front page treatment in Wednesday’s British newspapers, with the Financial Times leading on a report that the UK is hoping to unlock £30bn worth of Chinese investment, although there are questions over issues such as the absence of discussion about human rights in China. |
| FINANCIAL TIMES: Xi greeted with visa pledge as UK seeks to cash in on courtship #tomorrowspaperstoday #BBCPapers pic.twitter.com/A5eYdk5ENY | FINANCIAL TIMES: Xi greeted with visa pledge as UK seeks to cash in on courtship #tomorrowspaperstoday #BBCPapers pic.twitter.com/A5eYdk5ENY |
| 9.54pm BST | 9.54pm BST |
| 21:54 | 21:54 |
| The Guardian’s John Crace has filed a sketch on the rather “loveless marriage” earlier today as the prime minister played chief usher to Xi during the Chinese president’s Westminster address. | The Guardian’s John Crace has filed a sketch on the rather “loveless marriage” earlier today as the prime minister played chief usher to Xi during the Chinese president’s Westminster address. |
| Here’s a snatch from the piece, which you can read in full here: | Here’s a snatch from the piece, which you can read in full here: |
| Xi Jinping had arrived mob-handed with coach loads of advisers and security detail and, after a brief panic when it was realised there weren’t nearly enough seats for them all, the Chinese president walked in escorted on one side by the speaker of the Commons and on the other by Baroness D’Souza, the speaker of the Lords. | Xi Jinping had arrived mob-handed with coach loads of advisers and security detail and, after a brief panic when it was realised there weren’t nearly enough seats for them all, the Chinese president walked in escorted on one side by the speaker of the Commons and on the other by Baroness D’Souza, the speaker of the Lords. |
| It’s possible that [the Speaker] John Bercow had read somewhere that the Chinese don’t respect people who brown nose too obviously, but he was certainly keen to carry on where he had left off in the Commons. “Your visit is the latest in a recent line of Asian leaders that began with Aung San Suu Kyi, that champion of human rights in Burma,” he said. | It’s possible that [the Speaker] John Bercow had read somewhere that the Chinese don’t respect people who brown nose too obviously, but he was certainly keen to carry on where he had left off in the Commons. “Your visit is the latest in a recent line of Asian leaders that began with Aung San Suu Kyi, that champion of human rights in Burma,” he said. |
| A look of panic crossed Dave’s face as he imagined billions of pounds worth of trade deals being cancelled by the end of the day, but President Xi didn’t let slip a flicker. | A look of panic crossed Dave’s face as he imagined billions of pounds worth of trade deals being cancelled by the end of the day, but President Xi didn’t let slip a flicker. |
| 9.50pm BST | 9.50pm BST |
| 21:50 | 21:50 |
| Among those not present at the banquet is Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minisister of Scotland. | Among those not present at the banquet is Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minisister of Scotland. |
| There’s a story in The National reporting that she had been invited to the banquet but has declined due to “existing commitments”. | There’s a story in The National reporting that she had been invited to the banquet but has declined due to “existing commitments”. |
| A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: | A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: |
| Scotland values its strong relationship with China – the First Minister had a successful visit to China in July and External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop recently attended the UK China High Level People to People Dialogue in September where the Chinese side was led by Vice-Premier Madam Liu Yandong. | Scotland values its strong relationship with China – the First Minister had a successful visit to China in July and External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop recently attended the UK China High Level People to People Dialogue in September where the Chinese side was led by Vice-Premier Madam Liu Yandong. |
| She’s missing out on the pudding which guests are likely to be reaching by now (I can inform you that it’s a delice of dark chocolate mango and lime, not a patch on the ham and cheese sandwich which I’m about to grab). | She’s missing out on the pudding which guests are likely to be reaching by now (I can inform you that it’s a delice of dark chocolate mango and lime, not a patch on the ham and cheese sandwich which I’m about to grab). |
| 9.38pm BST | 9.38pm BST |
| 21:38 | 21:38 |
| Human rights, Tibet or any of those other hot button issues (unsurprisingly) didn’t get a look-in earlier when the Queen and President Xi were addressing the banquet. | Human rights, Tibet or any of those other hot button issues (unsurprisingly) didn’t get a look-in earlier when the Queen and President Xi were addressing the banquet. |
| But they’re very much on the minds of demonstrators outside Buckingham Palace. Some footage: | But they’re very much on the minds of demonstrators outside Buckingham Palace. Some footage: |
| 9.34pm BST | 9.34pm BST |
| 21:34 | 21:34 |
| There’s a lot of comment on social media about the appearance of Jeremy Corbyn in white tie for the meal, confounding speculation that the confirmed republican might ignore the recommended dress code. | There’s a lot of comment on social media about the appearance of Jeremy Corbyn in white tie for the meal, confounding speculation that the confirmed republican might ignore the recommended dress code. |
| The Labour leader, who attended the banquet alone, is sitting at the same table as Bank of England governor Mark Carney. | The Labour leader, who attended the banquet alone, is sitting at the same table as Bank of England governor Mark Carney. |
| It had been suggested that he could seek to use the formal function to raise contentious issues with Xi Jinping if no private meeting could be arranged. | It had been suggested that he could seek to use the formal function to raise contentious issues with Xi Jinping if no private meeting could be arranged. |
| The pair did meet before the banquet in the 1844 Room, where they shook hands cordially, with Mr Corbyn placing his other hand on top and telling Mr Xi: “It’s very nice to meet you. I look forward to our meeting.” | The pair did meet before the banquet in the 1844 Room, where they shook hands cordially, with Mr Corbyn placing his other hand on top and telling Mr Xi: “It’s very nice to meet you. I look forward to our meeting.” |
| We’ve got a report on their exchanges here. Meanwhile, on the matter of that white tie: | We’ve got a report on their exchanges here. Meanwhile, on the matter of that white tie: |
| I'm pro-white tie, on the whole, but some of this Corbyn mockery has a slight whiff of public school hearties bullying the scholarship boy. | I'm pro-white tie, on the whole, but some of this Corbyn mockery has a slight whiff of public school hearties bullying the scholarship boy. |
| Imagine the Moss Bross telephonist, "You want a White Tie set, fine, can I take your name?" "ahem, Jeremy Corbyn" "It's a prank call sir" | Imagine the Moss Bross telephonist, "You want a White Tie set, fine, can I take your name?" "ahem, Jeremy Corbyn" "It's a prank call sir" |
| Jeremy Corbyn voted against tax credit cuts then got himself into white tie in time to join the Queen at a state banquet. Impressive. | Jeremy Corbyn voted against tax credit cuts then got himself into white tie in time to join the Queen at a state banquet. Impressive. |
| I can confirm Jeremy Corbyn is at the state banquet AND is wearing white tie and tails (albeit somewhat ill-fitting). But well done him! | I can confirm Jeremy Corbyn is at the state banquet AND is wearing white tie and tails (albeit somewhat ill-fitting). But well done him! |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.34pm BST | at 9.34pm BST |
| 9.20pm BST | 9.20pm BST |
| 21:20 | 21:20 |
| Away from the banquet, Cameron has been urged to challenge the Chinese president over job losses in the British steel industry following the announcement of 1,200 redundancies by the UK’s largest steelmaker. | Away from the banquet, Cameron has been urged to challenge the Chinese president over job losses in the British steel industry following the announcement of 1,200 redundancies by the UK’s largest steelmaker. |
| We have a report here on announcement by Tata Steel, which said 900 jobs would be lost at Scunthorpe and 270 at two sites in Scotland as it blamed cheap Chinese imports, the strong pound and high electricity costs for its decision to stop production of steel plate. | We have a report here on announcement by Tata Steel, which said 900 jobs would be lost at Scunthorpe and 270 at two sites in Scotland as it blamed cheap Chinese imports, the strong pound and high electricity costs for its decision to stop production of steel plate. |
| The announcement came one day after 1,700 jobs were put at risk when steel products firm Caparo Industries entered administration, in the same month that 2,200 jobs were lost when the owner of the Redcar plant on Teeside went into liquidation. | The announcement came one day after 1,700 jobs were put at risk when steel products firm Caparo Industries entered administration, in the same month that 2,200 jobs were lost when the owner of the Redcar plant on Teeside went into liquidation. |
| Workers at the Dalzell site in Motherwell, one of the affected Tata mills, said managers had referred to competition from cheap Chinese steel when they briefed staff on Tuesday. | Workers at the Dalzell site in Motherwell, one of the affected Tata mills, said managers had referred to competition from cheap Chinese steel when they briefed staff on Tuesday. |
| “They as good as said it was the end of the steel industry in Scotland this morning. The way they spoke about the Chinese imports, that’s how it was explained to us,” said Andrew Crawford, who has worked at Dalzell for nearly three decades. | “They as good as said it was the end of the steel industry in Scotland this morning. The way they spoke about the Chinese imports, that’s how it was explained to us,” said Andrew Crawford, who has worked at Dalzell for nearly three decades. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.25pm BST | at 9.25pm BST |
| 9.15pm BST | 9.15pm BST |
| 21:15 | 21:15 |
| Is this strictly in line with protocol? Chris Ship of ITV has picked up on the intriguing method used by the Prime Minister to greet his foreign minister, Hugo Swire, at the banquet earlier: | Is this strictly in line with protocol? Chris Ship of ITV has picked up on the intriguing method used by the Prime Minister to greet his foreign minister, Hugo Swire, at the banquet earlier: |
| Interesting way David Cameron greeted his foreign minister @HugoSwire tonight at Buckingham Palace pic.twitter.com/K1oDZtNud1 | Interesting way David Cameron greeted his foreign minister @HugoSwire tonight at Buckingham Palace pic.twitter.com/K1oDZtNud1 |
| 9.11pm BST | 9.11pm BST |
| 21:11 | 21:11 |
| Back inside the banquet, Xi and the guests are being treated to a somewhat eclectic music programme, courtesy of the Countess of Wessex’s String Orchestra. | Back inside the banquet, Xi and the guests are being treated to a somewhat eclectic music programme, courtesy of the Countess of Wessex’s String Orchestra. |
| Here’s what they sound like at other times: | Here’s what they sound like at other times: |
| The music programme ranges from Robert Farnon’s The Westminster Waltz, through to Irish and Chinese folk songs and the Beatles’ Eleanor Rigby. | The music programme ranges from Robert Farnon’s The Westminster Waltz, through to Irish and Chinese folk songs and the Beatles’ Eleanor Rigby. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.12pm BST | at 9.12pm BST |
| 9.08pm BST | 9.08pm BST |
| 21:08 | 21:08 |
| The focus of much of those protests, China’s human rights record, was raised earlier this evening by the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, when he met with Xi. | The focus of much of those protests, China’s human rights record, was raised earlier this evening by the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, when he met with Xi. |
| The Guardian’s Rowena Mason has filed a piece on the meeting, which Labour described as “cordial and constructive”. | The Guardian’s Rowena Mason has filed a piece on the meeting, which Labour described as “cordial and constructive”. |
| A statement from Labour following Corbyn’s meeting stressed the good nature of the exchange, and praised “the remarkable Chinese achievements in poverty-reduction, lifting over 600 million people out of poverty”. | A statement from Labour following Corbyn’s meeting stressed the good nature of the exchange, and praised “the remarkable Chinese achievements in poverty-reduction, lifting over 600 million people out of poverty”. |
| Discussion between Corbyn and Xi also ranged over historic links between the UK, Labour and China, the sacrifice of the Chinese people in the struggle against fascism during the second world war, and Xi’s New Silk Road strategy. | Discussion between Corbyn and Xi also ranged over historic links between the UK, Labour and China, the sacrifice of the Chinese people in the struggle against fascism during the second world war, and Xi’s New Silk Road strategy. |
| They then spoke about working together to address major threats to world security such as climate change, persistent economic inequality and international terrorism, as well as opportunities to upgrade cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and the UK. | They then spoke about working together to address major threats to world security such as climate change, persistent economic inequality and international terrorism, as well as opportunities to upgrade cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and the UK. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.17pm BST | at 9.17pm BST |
| 9.06pm BST | 9.06pm BST |
| 21:06 | 21:06 |
| The protests are meanwhile continuing outside. Matteo Mecacci, President of the International Campaign for Tibet, tweets: | The protests are meanwhile continuing outside. Matteo Mecacci, President of the International Campaign for Tibet, tweets: |
| At Bukingham palace right before the State banquet offered bybthe queen to Xi Jinping #ohmyqueen #Tibet pic.twitter.com/ZAKN0BOkPP | At Bukingham palace right before the State banquet offered bybthe queen to Xi Jinping #ohmyqueen #Tibet pic.twitter.com/ZAKN0BOkPP |
| Enda Brady of Sky News is also there: | Enda Brady of Sky News is also there: |
| The scene outside Buckingham Palace tonight as a state banquet takes place to welcome China's president pic.twitter.com/J7w0d0WxBe | The scene outside Buckingham Palace tonight as a state banquet takes place to welcome China's president pic.twitter.com/J7w0d0WxBe |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.23pm BST | at 9.23pm BST |
| 9.04pm BST | 9.04pm BST |
| 21:04 | 21:04 |
| So what to make of those carefully scripted words? Some early reaction from the Guardian’s diplomatic editor, Julian Borger, who noted that Xi held up George Hogg as a British hero who helped China under Japanese occupation. | So what to make of those carefully scripted words? Some early reaction from the Guardian’s diplomatic editor, Julian Borger, who noted that Xi held up George Hogg as a British hero who helped China under Japanese occupation. |
| George Hogg was an AP journo from Harpenden, who was appalled at Japanese atrocities. Helped smuggle orphans to avoid conscription.. | George Hogg was an AP journo from Harpenden, who was appalled at Japanese atrocities. Helped smuggle orphans to avoid conscription.. |
| Xi says Hogg died taking students to safety. His webpage says he stubbed his toe playing basketball and got infected https://t.co/7lYbWQEbVL | Xi says Hogg died taking students to safety. His webpage says he stubbed his toe playing basketball and got infected https://t.co/7lYbWQEbVL |
| 9.00pm BST | 9.00pm BST |
| 21:00 | 21:00 |
| Speeches out of the way, they can now start tucking in to that Balmoral Venison, and more: | Speeches out of the way, they can now start tucking in to that Balmoral Venison, and more: |
| Only the best for Comrade Xi .. What the Chinese Prezza, the Queen, Cameron & co are dining on at Buckingham Palace pic.twitter.com/Lk4Gxhycg0 | Only the best for Comrade Xi .. What the Chinese Prezza, the Queen, Cameron & co are dining on at Buckingham Palace pic.twitter.com/Lk4Gxhycg0 |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.17pm BST | at 9.17pm BST |
| 8.58pm BST | 8.58pm BST |
| 20:58 | 20:58 |
| Xi finishes with a toast: | Xi finishes with a toast: |
| To the prosperity of the UK and the happiness of its people. | To the prosperity of the UK and the happiness of its people. |
| To the everlasting thendship between China and the UK and their peopless | To the everlasting thendship between China and the UK and their peopless |
| To the health of Your Majesty the Queen and Your Royal Highness Prince Philip, to the health of the members of the Royal Family and to the health of all the friends present. | To the health of Your Majesty the Queen and Your Royal Highness Prince Philip, to the health of the members of the Royal Family and to the health of all the friends present. |
| 8.56pm BST | 8.56pm BST |
| 20:56 | 20:56 |
| Delving back into history, he adds: | Delving back into history, he adds: |
| The founding of New China in 1949 opened a new chapter in China-UK relationship. Britain was the first major Western country to recognize the People’s Republic of China. | The founding of New China in 1949 opened a new chapter in China-UK relationship. Britain was the first major Western country to recognize the People’s Republic of China. |
| In October 1986, Your Majesty and Your Royal Highness paid a successful state visit to China, marking a highlight in China-UK relationship. | In October 1986, Your Majesty and Your Royal Highness paid a successful state visit to China, marking a highlight in China-UK relationship. |
| In 1997, our two countries resolved the question of Hong Kong’s return to China in a creative way, turning a new page in bilateral relations. | In 1997, our two countries resolved the question of Hong Kong’s return to China in a creative way, turning a new page in bilateral relations. |
| 8.53pm BST | 8.53pm BST |
| 20:53 | 20:53 |
| Xi is on his feet now and is recalling the Second World War, telling those at the banquet that China will never forget the support it received from the UK at that time. | Xi is on his feet now and is recalling the Second World War, telling those at the banquet that China will never forget the support it received from the UK at that time. |
| He says: | He says: |
| As a Chinese saying goes, “Nothing, not even mountains and oceans, can separate people with shared goals and vision.” This year marks the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. | As a Chinese saying goes, “Nothing, not even mountains and oceans, can separate people with shared goals and vision.” This year marks the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. |
| As allies during the Second World War, China and Britain fought side by side to uphold justice, and made significant contribution to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the establishment of the post-war international order anchored on the United Nations. | As allies during the Second World War, China and Britain fought side by side to uphold justice, and made significant contribution to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the establishment of the post-war international order anchored on the United Nations. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.54pm BST | at 8.54pm BST |