Brown make first China trip as PM

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Gordon Brown is to make his first visit to China since becoming prime minister seven months ago.

The three-day trip, starting on Friday, will include a tour of the venues for this summer's Beijing Olympics and talks on trade and education links.

A Chinese government spokesman said it was hoped the visit would bring a "new vitality to the development of China-Britain relations".

Trade between the countries was worth an estimated $40bn (£20.2bn) last year.

'Tight and rich'

Mr Brown will meet Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, as well as business leaders.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said: "The itinerary of Prime Minister Brown's China visit will be tight and rich.

"He will hold talks and meet with Chinese leaders, Premier Wen Jiabao and he will also jointly attend a signing ceremony for bilateral agreements, meet with reporters, meet with industrial representatives, and even have exchanges with members of the public.

"Prime Minister Brown will also visit some facilities of the Olympic Games."

China and the UK are both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, while London will host the 2012 Olympics.

Chinese foreign minister Yang Jiechi visited the UK in December.