This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27879021
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets the Queen on UK visit | Chinese Premier Li Keqiang meets the Queen on UK visit |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has been received by the Queen on the first full day of his official visit to the UK. | Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has been received by the Queen on the first full day of his official visit to the UK. |
Mr Li has also been holding talks with David Cameron in Downing Street. | |
It is the first UK visit by a Chinese premier since a row in 2012 over Mr Cameron's meeting with exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. | |
Mr Li has said he hopes the trip will help to "change misperceptions and misgivings" about his country as well as further business and cultural ties. | |
The UK has said it remains "deeply concerned" about human rights abuses in China. | The UK has said it remains "deeply concerned" about human rights abuses in China. |
High-level relations between the UK and China were frozen for a time after Mr Cameron's meeting with the Dalai Lama but, after a change of leadership at the top of the Chinese Communist Party in March 2013, Mr Cameron visited the country in December. | |
Visa changes | Visa changes |
Crowds gathered at Windsor Castle to watch Mr Li's arrival, with Chinese tourists among those who watched his entourage enter the grounds in a fleet of limousines. | Crowds gathered at Windsor Castle to watch Mr Li's arrival, with Chinese tourists among those who watched his entourage enter the grounds in a fleet of limousines. |
The Queen was joined by the Duke of York in the White Drawing Room, where she smiled and shook Mr Li's hand. | The Queen was joined by the Duke of York in the White Drawing Room, where she smiled and shook Mr Li's hand. |
The Chinese premier was accompanied by his wife, Cheng Hong. | The Chinese premier was accompanied by his wife, Cheng Hong. |
The Sino-British ministerial summit in No 10 was also attended by Foreign Secretary William Hague, Chancellor George Osborne and Energy Secretary Ed Davey. | |
At the start of Mr Li's three-day visit, the Home Office announced a new visa service, to be offered to all Chinese visitors to the UK following a pilot programme for tour operators last year. | At the start of Mr Li's three-day visit, the Home Office announced a new visa service, to be offered to all Chinese visitors to the UK following a pilot programme for tour operators last year. |
Business visitors and tourists will be able to use a single application for their visas for Britain as well as for a Schengen visa, which allows access to 26 European countries. | Business visitors and tourists will be able to use a single application for their visas for Britain as well as for a Schengen visa, which allows access to 26 European countries. |
The move comes after Chinese authorities complained about the difficulties in travelling to the UK compared with other European countries - where one visa allows people to visit almost all the other EU member states. | The move comes after Chinese authorities complained about the difficulties in travelling to the UK compared with other European countries - where one visa allows people to visit almost all the other EU member states. |
Announcing the changes, Home Secretary Theresa May said the number of Chinese visitors to Britain was "soaring". | Announcing the changes, Home Secretary Theresa May said the number of Chinese visitors to Britain was "soaring". |
Mr Li, who has been accompanied by a large business delegation, is expected to formally agree commercial deals and investments worth up to £18bn in areas such as energy and finance. | Mr Li, who has been accompanied by a large business delegation, is expected to formally agree commercial deals and investments worth up to £18bn in areas such as energy and finance. |
UK Trade and Investment said there had been more inward investment from China in the UK economy in the past 18 months than in the previous 30 years, with £8bn spent in 2013-4. | |
Analysis: Carrie Gracie, BBC China editor | Analysis: Carrie Gracie, BBC China editor |
Today is a mix of pomp, politics and money. | Today is a mix of pomp, politics and money. |
Act One is at Windsor Castle for an audience with the Queen - for Mr Li, a priceless photo opportunity to impress the public back home. | Act One is at Windsor Castle for an audience with the Queen - for Mr Li, a priceless photo opportunity to impress the public back home. |
Act Two is at Downing Street - a prime ministerial summit to underline the message that business is now at the heart of the UK-China relationship, with the prickly topic of human rights discussed behind closed doors. | Act Two is at Downing Street - a prime ministerial summit to underline the message that business is now at the heart of the UK-China relationship, with the prickly topic of human rights discussed behind closed doors. |
But there will be two episodes with less predictable choreography - a Tibetan demonstration against the Chinese premier in Whitehall and a brief news conference with the British media. The Chinese will expect both to be carefully controlled. | But there will be two episodes with less predictable choreography - a Tibetan demonstration against the Chinese premier in Whitehall and a brief news conference with the British media. The Chinese will expect both to be carefully controlled. |
For Act Three of his day Mr Li will be safely back in his comfort zone - addressing a business audience over dinner at the Natural History Museum. | For Act Three of his day Mr Li will be safely back in his comfort zone - addressing a business audience over dinner at the Natural History Museum. |
Negotiations to end a Chinese ban on imports of British beef and lamb are to be announced. | |
Restrictions were imposed by China in response to the BSE outbreak in the 1980s and 1990s but it is expected that formal official-level talks will begin on opening up a market that could be worth up to £120m to the British economy. | Restrictions were imposed by China in response to the BSE outbreak in the 1980s and 1990s but it is expected that formal official-level talks will begin on opening up a market that could be worth up to £120m to the British economy. |
The Chinese premier is visiting the UK as part of a tour of European countries. | The Chinese premier is visiting the UK as part of a tour of European countries. |
Campaign group Free Tibet wrote to the Queen calling on her not to meet Mr Li. | Campaign group Free Tibet wrote to the Queen calling on her not to meet Mr Li. |
The letter said their meeting "does not appear to be in the interests of the monarchy, the United Kingdom, or those resisting oppression across the world". | The letter said their meeting "does not appear to be in the interests of the monarchy, the United Kingdom, or those resisting oppression across the world". |