Xi Jinping’s carriage ride up London’s Mall runs the gauntlet of Falun Gong, Tibet and China supporters

China’s President Xi Jinping starts a pomp-filled four-day state visit to Britain on Tuesday as reports emerged of a multibillion pound investment deal over Britain’s new nuclear programme.

Xi will stay with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, enjoy a state banquet and visit Downing Street, Prime Minister David Cameron’s country residence Chequers and even Manchester City football club.

But there will be plenty of time to talk business.

Cameron’s office said the visit will secure trade and investment deals worth more than £30 billion (40 billion euros, $45 billion) and lead to the creation of more than 3,900 jobs.

French business daily Les Echos on Tuesday said China had agreed to take a one-third stake in French power giant EDF’s £25 billion next-generation nuclear project at Hinkley Point in southern England.

However, the announcement later by Indian steelmaking giant Tata that nearly 1,200 jobs will be lost at steel plants in England and Scotland, coupled with the loss of 2,200 jobs in the industry last week, has given fuel to those opposed to closer trading ties with China.