President Xi Jinping in Britain: How he will spend his time

A timeline of what is planned during President Xi Jinping’s visit to the UK

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President Xi Jinping has heaped praise on Britain for what he called a 'visionary and strategic choice' to strengthen commercial ties with China, as he prepared for his state visit to the United Kingdom. Photo: Reuters

Published: 11:45am, 18 Oct 2015Updated: 3:15pm, 20 Oct 2015

With red carpets at the ready, a royal reception awaits President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan for the Chinese leader’s first state visit to Britain on Monday.

President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, will be staying at Buckingham Palace, in London, the official home of Britain's Queen Elizabeth, during his state visit. Photo: Xinhua

Highlights of the trip include travelling in a state carriage to Buckingham Palace to lunch with Queen Elizabeth, giving a speech at the Palace of Westminster, attending a state banquet and a trip to Manchester City Football Club, according to an itinerary released by Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.

Monday

•Xi and Peng will be greeted by Viscount Hood, Lord-in-Waiting, at the airport.

Tuesday

•Charles, Prince of Wales, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, will greet the pair at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, before travelling to Horse Guards Parade for an official ceremonial welcome.

•Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, will greet the pair at the Royal Pavilion.

•Xi and Prince Philip will inspect the Guard of Honour, who will give a royal salute. The Chinese national anthem will be played and presentations made.