Visit to set course for ties, says Xi

China is on course to become the world’s largest economy, respecting the traditional world of the West and its institutions, and enabling a new relevant growth model to take hold in Asia to enable sustainable growth that really takes into account the environment, resources and proper aspirations for the lives and security of the peoples of Asia. America wouldn’t dream of letting China have such a part in its critical national infrastructure, ” said government advisor Paul Dorfman of University College London’s Energy Institute.

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne reflected the U.K.’s more accommodative tone on a September trip to China when he signaled the United Kingdom would refrain from criticism on human rights and not engage in “megaphone diplomacy”.

Mr Cameron, in an interview with the Chinese state TV channel CCTV1, said Mr Xi’s visit was a “very important moment” and hailed a “golden era” in ties between the countries.

China’s president Xi Jinping is getting a reception fit for an emperor on his first state visit to the UK.

However, Jeremy Corbyn, the newly elected opposition leader from the Labour party, said the meant to bring up the issue of human rights during Xi’s visit.

Among the possible deals planned during the visit is one for the first issuing of Chinese sovereign debt in renminbi outside of China. The Chinese can come and engage with us, but is our regulations, our high standards that they will have to live up to.

Britain’s status as a “leading member of the EU” helps it attract investment from China, David Cameron has said. “Another example is that the AIIB places no restriction on the procurement of goods and services from any country, and again this is not the case in the other regional multilateral development banks”, he said.

Data due out today is expected to show Chinese growth fell below 7% in the third quarter for the first time since the global financial crisis.

Writing an editorial for the Observer, Hilton says Britain should stand up to the Chinese government which “goes around forcibly inserting intrauterine devices into the bodies of its female citizens, or forcing them to have abortions”. How farcical that Prince Charles, who has long spoken about religious toleration and wanting to be the “defender of faith”, will be meeting Xi.

“The islands and reefs in the South China Sea are Chinese territory since ancient times”.

Developing a strong and engaged relationship “means we are able to talk to them…frankly and with mutual respect”, she added.

On a lighter note, Xi, a football fan, highlighted the potential for further UK-China cooperation on the sport.

The elaborately choreographed visit will also include a trip to the Manchester City football training grounds and a possible unscripted side trip to a pub to dine on that English classic, fish and chips.