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Cameron in major China trade trip UK government and business in push for China trade
(about 1 hour later)
The Prime Minister, David Cameron, and 50 British business leaders are heading to China in an attempt to forge profitable trade ties in the UK's largest trade trip to the country. Chancellor George Osborne and Business Secretary Vince Cable are in China as part of a high-profile UK government and trade mission designed to ramp up business with China.
Mr Cameron, who is also accompanied by four Cabinet ministers, will arrive in Beijing on Tuesday for two days of talks. On Tuesday, the Prime Minister, David Cameron, will join them, and the 50 British business leaders on the trip.
As well as trying to boost business, he will also raise the issue of China's human rights record. As well as trying to boost business, Mr Cameron will also raise the issue of China's human rights record.
The visit is his second major trip to an emerging economy since taking power.The visit is his second major trip to an emerging economy since taking power.
It follows a high-profile visit to India in July.It follows a high-profile visit to India in July.
Mr Cameron's office said he would challenge China on its human rights record, but was not specific about which subjects he would raise.Mr Cameron's office said he would challenge China on its human rights record, but was not specific about which subjects he would raise.
Trade deals Trade deals
Mr Cameron's coalition government has made broadening global trade links a priority, with particular emphasis on the fast-growing developing markets typified by China and India, both of whose economies are growing fast. Mr Cameron's coalition government has made broadening global trade links a priority, with particular emphasis on the fast-growing developing markets typified by China and India, both of whose economies are growing strongly.
Business Secretary Vince Cable, who, along with the Chancellor, George Osborne, is already in the country, said China had huge potential. The BBC's business editor, Robert Peston, points out that the trade gap with China is substantial.
"In 2009 we sold £8.7bn of tangibles and intangibles to China, and we bought three times as much, £25.8bn, from the Chinese," he says.
"Although over 10 years our sales of goods and services to China have increased by a seemingly healthy 4.6 times, imports have risen by a far greater multiple, 6.6 times."
Business Secretary Vince Cable said China had huge potential.
"There are about 15 business deals that the group are working their way through today, you know everything from coal gasification technology to architects to an auto-collaboration to work with Tesco and agreements between University College London and Chinese universities," he said."There are about 15 business deals that the group are working their way through today, you know everything from coal gasification technology to architects to an auto-collaboration to work with Tesco and agreements between University College London and Chinese universities," he said.
Among those joining Mr Cameron on the trip are executives from companies including Rolls-Royce, Barclays and Diageo. Among those taking part in the visit are executives from companies including Rolls-Royce, Barclays and Diageo.
Ahead of the visit, the Chinese and British authorities reached a deal to ensure only whisky produced in Scotland will be marketed in China as Scotch, a move some estimate will increase sales by tens of millions of pounds. Two deals have already been announced.
The business secretary signed an agreement that will allow the export of British breeding pigs to China, home to half of the world's pig population.
That deal - and future business stemming from the agreement - is valued at about £45m to the British pig industry over the next five years.
The Chinese and British authorities also reached a deal to ensure only whisky produced in Scotland will be marketed in China as Scotch, a move some estimate will increase sales by tens of millions of pounds.