https://www.scmp.com/rss/321224/feed Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Britain alongside first lady Peng Liyuan on Monday, October 19, 2015, for a state visit billed as forging business and trade ties between the two nations. President Xi resided at Buckingham Palace during his stay, and addressed parliament as Prime Minister David Cameron. The royal family rolled out what British media described as the "reddest red carpet" for him. The two countries sealed deals on nuclear and railway projects and announced the launch of... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Rights groups and activists have urged police to allow free protests during Donald Trump’s visit to the UK this week, warning against a repeat of the political pressure alleged to have been seen during an equally contentious visit by China’s president. Trump, who will be in Britain from Thursday to Sunday, is largely avoiding London, and will spend most of his time well away from demonstrations, in places such as Chequers, Blenheim Palace and Windsor Castle, and Scotland. Nato partners wonder... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/2154326/us-activists-push-anti-trump-protests-bad-memories-xi-jinpings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/2154326/us-activists-push-anti-trump-protests-bad-memories-xi-jinpings?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Jul 2018 15:14:06 +0000 The first face-to-face meeting between US President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping (習近平), at Trump’s private estate in Florida, was designed as an informal, get-to-know-you, kind of diplomacy. But the relationship-building exercise wrapped up on a surprisingly upbeat note, as Trump talked of “the tremendous goodwill and friendship” between the leaders of the world’s two largest economies and most influential nations, while Xi suggested “a thousand reasons to get China-US relations right,... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2086972/north-korea-tests-us-china-ties-xi-and-trump-look-put?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2086972/north-korea-tests-us-china-ties-xi-and-trump-look-put?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Apr 2017 04:59:20 +0000 If you didn’t know better, you might have been excused last week for thinking the Global Times had suddenly unearthed a sense of humour. In a piece only published in its Chinese-language edition, the sister paper of the People’s Daily lambasted the “barbarians” in the British media responsible for reporting on Queen Elizabeth being captured on video describing Chinese officials as “very rude”. “As they experience constant exposure to the 5,000 years of continuous Eastern civilisation, we believe... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1945641/very-rude-contrary-queen-was-probably-just-trying-be-polite?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1945641/very-rude-contrary-queen-was-probably-just-trying-be-polite?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 May 2016 08:35:45 +0000 The British media is riddled with “barbarians” who would benefit from a lesson in manners from China’s ancient civilisation, a state-run newspaper said on Thursday after Queen Elizabeth called some Chinese officials “very rude”. Queen tells of ‘very rude’ Chinese officials during Xi Jinping’s UK visit in new diplomatic gaffe In a rare diplomatic gaffe, the British monarch was caught on camera at a Buckingham Palace garden party making unguarded comments about a state visit last year by President... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/1944036/british-media-barbarians-fumes-state-run-newspaper-after-queen?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/1944036/british-media-barbarians-fumes-state-run-newspaper-after-queen?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 May 2016 05:22:25 +0000 At the time of President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) state visit to the UK last October, the preparatory messages coming from China were extremely positive. There was talk, endorsed at the highest levels, of a “golden age”, even a “golden decade” of Sino-British partnership. The British side was keen to lock in these promises, especially as there had been uncomfortable patches in the bilateral relationship due to Chinese suspicions of British interference in Hong Kong. And so both sides worked flat out... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1936084/sino-uk-golden-age-losing-its-shine-british-peoples-eyes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1936084/sino-uk-golden-age-losing-its-shine-british-peoples-eyes?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 17 Apr 2016 04:00:00 +0000 More Western countries will follow Britain in improving ties with China, the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was quoted as saying on Tuesday. He described relations with London over the past year as a “bright spot” in China’s diplomacy. Sino-British relations have been a bright spot this year. I believe that this important development in reality presages future prospects for China's relations with Western countries Wang Yi, China’s Foreign Minister The British government has moved forcefully to... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1893876/china-says-more-western-countries-will-follow-britain?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1893876/china-says-more-western-countries-will-follow-britain?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Dec 2015 07:30:45 +0000 Much has been said about President Xi Jinping's state visit to Britain, which has been hailed by both governments as a sign that bilateral relations have entered a "golden era". But what does it mean for Hong Kong, the former British colony which officially is no longer a major factor in Sino-British ties? Over the past week, as one who covered extensively the Sino-British talks - or, to be exact, quarrels - over Hong Kong's transition arrangements before 1997, I watched with amazement the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1871930/london-and-beijing-are-looking-future-hong-kong-must-do-same?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1871930/london-and-beijing-are-looking-future-hong-kong-must-do-same?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 Oct 2015 16:00:00 +0000 President Xi Jinping is known for his passion for football. But he is also a good player in the fields of "soccer diplomacy" and "soccer politics", as shown by his just-concluded state visit to Britain, the birthplace of modern soccer. On Friday in Manchester - the cradle of two world-class Premier League football clubs and the last stop of his four-day trip, Xi once again showed off the diplomatic skills that had attracted much attention before. In the past week, major mainland media outlets... https://www.scmp.com/news/article/1871726/xi-jinping-plays-football-passion-political-advantage-home-and-abroad?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/article/1871726/xi-jinping-plays-football-passion-political-advantage-home-and-abroad?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 Oct 2015 12:00:09 +0000 Equipment makers, tourism agencies and insurers are joining China's mining, oil, and gas giants in investors in British business as mainland companies look to expand their horizons. China's deal to take a one-third stake in French power giant EDF's £25 billion (HK$300 billion) next-generation nuclear project at Hinkley Point attracted all the big headlines. However, that was only one of many deals signed during last week's British state visit by President Xi Jinping , involving 150 projects... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1871774/chinese-insurers-and-tourism-firms-keen-join-oil-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1871774/chinese-insurers-and-tourism-firms-keen-join-oil-and?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 Oct 2015 20:00:00 +0000 The new "golden era' of relations between China and Britain has arrived. President Xi Jinping ended his four-day visit on Friday with more than 100 agreements and billions of dollars in business deals having been signed, proving the strength of ties. But it is the wider implications, beyond the pomp and circumstance, reddest of red carpet treatment and smiles and handshakes that is significant. New respect and understanding have been gained and with sustained effort, that can only lead to a... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1871799/stronger-ties-between-china-and-britain-will-foster-growth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1871799/stronger-ties-between-china-and-britain-will-foster-growth?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 Oct 2015 17:06:03 +0000 British police arrested a survivor of China’s Tiananmen Square crackdown and raided his home after he stepped out in front of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s motorcade, police and campaigners said on Friday. Shao Jiang could be seen being dragged away by several police officers after he breached a security barrier and stood alone in front of the cars on Wednesday in footage aired on Channel 4 television. READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Xi Jinping's UK state visit London police said... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1871602/british-police-raid-tiananmen-survivors-home-after-he?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1871602/british-police-raid-tiananmen-survivors-home-after-he?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Oct 2015 16:15:45 +0000 China wants a united European Union in which Britain plays a prominent role in promoting Chinese relations with the bloc, Chinese President Xi Jinping told Britain's prime minister in an indirect plea for the nation to remain part of the EU. Prime Minister David Cameron is seeking to renegotiate Britain's relationship with the EU, which it joined in 1973, as the "in" and "out" campaigns prepare for battle in a referendum on membership, to be held before 2017. READ MORE: Analysis: Britain’s new... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/1871455/chinas-president-xi-jinping-tells-britains-pm-david?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/1871455/chinas-president-xi-jinping-tells-britains-pm-david?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Oct 2015 11:00:00 +0000 Since the second world war, British foreign policy has been built on its so-called special relationship with the United States, which emerged from that conflict as the world’s most powerful nation. This week, London showed it was attempting to build another special relationship, with China, the world’s fast-rising power that is on its way to challenge US dominance in global affairs. Even before the Chinese leader’s first state visit to the UK, British Prime Minister David Cameron and President... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1871449/britains-new-special-relationship-china-built?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1871449/britains-new-special-relationship-china-built?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Oct 2015 10:15:00 +0000 President Xi Jinping, who ends his state visit to Britain on Friday with a visit to English Premier League club Manchester City, is known to be a passionate soccer fan. Xi’s long-term dream is for China’s national team to win the World Cup. His love of “the beautiful game” may have developed while at middle school as a result of his late father, communist revolutionary Xi Zhongxun, who is also reported to have enjoyed watching matches. Read more: Soccer-mad Xi Jinping more blue than red: Was... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/1871444/chinas-soccer-mad-president-xi-jinpings-passion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/1871444/chinas-soccer-mad-president-xi-jinpings-passion?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Oct 2015 10:00:00 +0000 President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Britain carries eight important messages to the world, according to Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily: Will China’s economy survive? There are concerns about the downward pressure the economy faces, as it recorded 6.9 per cent growth in the third quarter. Xi said the nation’s growth was achieved “amid increasing difficulty in the world’s economic development”. China “will continue to serve as a powerful propeller for global economic growth”, Xi said... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1871399/eight-key-messages-xi-jinping-seeks-convey-world-his-uk?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1871399/eight-key-messages-xi-jinping-seeks-convey-world-his-uk?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Oct 2015 09:16:37 +0000 President Xi Jinping ended his state visit to Britain on Friday with a visit to Premier League giants Manchester City - and his first selfie. He posed alongside Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron in a photograph taken by City's Argentina striker Sergio Aguero. Aguero wrote on Twitter: "Thank you for the selfie, President Xi".  After three days of banquets, processions and trade talks, Xi's final day saw him meet former players of both Manchester City and cross-city rivals Manchester United,... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1871358/footbal-fan-xi-jinping-blow-final-whistle-uk-state?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1871358/footbal-fan-xi-jinping-blow-final-whistle-uk-state?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Oct 2015 06:45:00 +0000 President Xi Jinping’s diplomatic visits overseas often give clues about the head of state’s interests and passions. His trip to the UK has been no exception. During his trip to the United States in September Xi talked passionately about the American writer Ernest Hemingway. Now in the UK he has revealed his love for the works of arguably the greatest writer in the English language, William Shakespeare. READ MORE: Hemingway, mojito and living in poverty: China's Xi Jinping reaches out to US with... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1871337/xi-jinping-reveals-uk-he-sought-out-banned-works?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1871337/xi-jinping-reveals-uk-he-sought-out-banned-works?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Oct 2015 05:00:00 +0000 British Prime Minister David Cameron has sought assurance from President Xi Jinping, who is on a state visit to UK, that Hongkongers would be able to choose their own leader without Beijing’s prior vetting, according to a report. Cameron touched on the political stalemate in Hong Kong for the first time during Xi’s visit amid mounting criticism Britain had ignored China’s human rights record for trade benefits, The Guardian reported. The remarks also came after Hong Kong’s legislature voted down... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1871316/let-hong-kong-elect-its-own-leader-britains-david-cameron?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1871316/let-hong-kong-elect-its-own-leader-britains-david-cameron?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Oct 2015 02:45:15 +0000 UK House of Commons speaker John Bercow publicly raised the issue of human rights with Xi Jinping, while the leader of the British opposition Labour party Jeremy Corbyn did the same, but in private, during the Chinese leader's state visit to Britain. It is right and proper that the two did so, despite warnings by the Chinese ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming, that Xi would be offended if he was lectured on human rights. If Corbyn were to one day become prime minister, would he welcome the huge... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1871275/whether-public-or-private-britain-was-right-bring-human?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1871275/whether-public-or-private-britain-was-right-bring-human?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Oct 2015 02:20:56 +0000 Chinese first lady Peng Liyuan slipped away from the pomp, politics and deal-making of President Xi Jinping’s state visit to meet teenagers studying the Mandarin language -- and some of Britain’s pop culture icons. Xi’s wife, 52, a huge star in China with independent fame as a folk singer, spent the first few days of the visit, the first by a Chinese leader in 10 years, touring a succession of schools, events and universities in London. At a creative industry event on Wednesday, alongside... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1871280/chinas-first-lady-peng-liyuan-strikes-right-chord?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1871280/chinas-first-lady-peng-liyuan-strikes-right-chord?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Oct 2015 02:11:13 +0000 British Prime Minister David Cameron discussed the fight against war and terrorism — and had a drink in a pub — with President Xi Jinping on Thursday during a state visit hailed as a landmark by both nations. The two leaders met for talks and dinner at the prime minister’s official country residence, Chequers. Beforehand, Cameron took Xi to a traditional pub nearby for a pint of English ale and a taste of British fish and chips. A joint statement before the meeting said stronger UK-China ties... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1871273/xi-jinping-uk-prime-minister-discuss-foreign-policy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1871273/xi-jinping-uk-prime-minister-discuss-foreign-policy?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Oct 2015 01:30:15 +0000 British Prime Minister David Cameron planned to discuss the fight against extremism with President Xi Jinping on Thursday on a state visit hailed as a landmark by both China and Britain. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan said goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II after spending two nights as the monarch’s guest at Buckingham Palace. Xi will dine at Cameron’s country estate, Chequers, before visiting the northwest England city of Manchester to end his four-day trip. Cameron’s office said Thursday’s talks would... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1871257/chinas-president-xi-jinping-and-britains-pm-david?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1871257/chinas-president-xi-jinping-and-britains-pm-david?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Oct 2015 16:45:15 +0000 Britain yesterday threw its weight behind China's effort to reach a free-trade pact with the European Union, as the two countries issued a joint statement during President Xi Jinping's state visit. The two countries called for the launch of a feasibility study for an "ambitious and comprehensive" agreement, marking the latest step by Beijing to counter the impact of a US-led trans-Pacific trade and investment deal. They also called for a study on connecting the stock markets in Shanghai and... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1871098/britain-backs-chinas-bid-free-trade-pact-european-union?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1871098/britain-backs-chinas-bid-free-trade-pact-european-union?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Oct 2015 11:00:00 +0000 China’s first lady Peng Liyuan was all smiles after she was gifted a cape specially designed and tailored to fit by scientists at Imperial College London and a UK-based Chinese designer on Wednesday. Even President Xi Jinping cracked a smile as the fashionable cape was given to the first lady by Guo Yike, director of the Data Science Institute, who led a team of data computing scientists to craft the garment with the help of designer Holly Wang. Guo also gave a presentation on the institute’s... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1870903/chinas-first-lady-all-smiles-british-scientists-give?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1870903/chinas-first-lady-all-smiles-british-scientists-give?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Oct 2015 09:45:15 +0000 A Tiananmen Square crackdown survivor and two British Tibetan protesters have been arrested and detained overnight by British police, according to a community protest group. The trio, understood to include Chinese democracy activist Shao Jiang, were arrested outside an event in the City of London where President Xi Jinping was in attendance. As Britain has signed a flurry of deals with China worth US$46 billion, including a centrepiece nuclear power station agreement, Prime Minister David... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/1870730/chinese-dissident-and-tibetan-activists-arrested-britain-prevent-breach?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/1870730/chinese-dissident-and-tibetan-activists-arrested-britain-prevent-breach?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Oct 2015 01:45:15 +0000 President Xi Jinping has said China will avoid a hard landing, although he acknowledged some downward pressure on the world’s second largest economy. Chinese leaders have been trying to reassure jittery global markets for months that they have economic developments under control after a shock devaluation of the yuan and a plunge in China’s stock market. Watch: China's Xi Jinping denies hard landing threat Speaking during a state visit to Britain aimed at cementing closer economic ties, Xi said... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/economy/article/1870727/chinas-economy-will-avoid-hard-landing-and-reforms-will-continue?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/economy/article/1870727/chinas-economy-will-avoid-hard-landing-and-reforms-will-continue?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Oct 2015 01:45:15 +0000 After a day of pomp, President Xi Jinping  and his British host sealed a multibillion-dollar deal to finance a British nuclear plant.   Xi met Prime Minister David Cameron for a summit at noon yesterday at 10 Downing Street, where the two discussed bilateral issues – including the loss of British steel jobs to cheap Chinese exports and human rights – “openly and constructively”, Cameron told reporters afterwards. Cameron said he wanted to make Britain the “partner of choice for China in the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1870702/nuclear-deal-takes-chinas-relationship-britain-new?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1870702/nuclear-deal-takes-chinas-relationship-britain-new?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Oct 2015 16:30:15 +0000 Although British politicians chose not to publicly lecture President Xi Jinping on human rights issues, there was no shortage of subtle messages from Queen Elizabeth and House of Commons Speaker John Bercow. While the queen hailed the "visionary concept" of "one country, two systems" that late leader Deng Xiaoping introduced, Bercow praised Parliament's recent guest Aung San Suu Kyi as a "champion of democracy" before inviting Xi to address the House of Commons. The queen said Deng's idea had... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1870687/no-lectures-chinas-xi-jinping-human-rights-few-subtle?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1870687/no-lectures-chinas-xi-jinping-human-rights-few-subtle?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Oct 2015 16:00:15 +0000 President Xi Jinping's state visit to Britain is already showing signs of boosting financial cooperation between the two countries. London hopes the visit can help it gain competitiveness over rivals such as Singapore and Luxemburg by boosting its role in the offshore yuan market, while China hopes to use Britain's financial expertise to push for the currency's internationalisation. Central banks of the two countries yesterday renewed their currency swap agreement for another three years and... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1870692/every-yuans-winner-xi-jinpings-uk-visit-boosts-londons?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1870692/every-yuans-winner-xi-jinpings-uk-visit-boosts-londons?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Oct 2015 15:45:45 +0000 Britain’s Merlin Entertainments Group, which owns the Madame Tussauds franchise, has partnered with China Media Capital to develop a Legoland park in Shanghai, joining Walt Disney and DreamWorks in the rush to tap the mainland’s mammoth theme park businesses. The “Legoland Discovery Centre” would be among three attractions that Merlin and China Media plan to build in Shanghai over the next 18 months, the British company said in a statement on Wednesday. They will also build a Madame Tussauds and... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/economy/article/1870372/britains-merlin-entertainments-joins-chinese-venture-capital-firm?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/economy/article/1870372/britains-merlin-entertainments-joins-chinese-venture-capital-firm?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Oct 2015 11:17:01 +0000 Under President Xi Jinping, the Chinese presence on the world stage and China's significance to sustaining global economic growth are no longer understated. Many more Western analysts now understand that China's economic rise is here to stay, even if, like Japan and Korea previously, the Chinese manufacturing powerhouse cannot grow at a double-digit rate forever. WATCH: Xi Jinping hails "profound friendship" with the UK  The "new normal" of economic slowdown in China this year will not erode... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1870343/global-vision-uk-china-relations-could-enter-era?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1870343/global-vision-uk-china-relations-could-enter-era?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Oct 2015 09:45:30 +0000 Could Shakespeare’s sonnets of love tune harmoniously with contemporary Chinese folk songs of patriotism? While the world's longest reigning monarch turned to her nation's greatest poet, the leader of the world's most populous nation turned to his wife's singing talents Before a state banquet on Tuesday, the heads of states of the United Kingdom and the People’s Republic of China exchanged gifts representing the culture of their homelands to commemorate the much-publicized state visit. The gifts... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1870320/xi-and-queen-exchange-gifts-shakespeare-folk-songs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1870320/xi-and-queen-exchange-gifts-shakespeare-folk-songs?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Oct 2015 07:00:00 +0000 Watch: Queen Elizabeth hosts glittering state banquet for China's Xi Jinping Venison from the Queen’s Balmoral estate formed the main course at a banquet hosted by the Queen for the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, at Buckingham Palace, washed down with a choice of wines headed by a sparkling English variety. The Chinese president, who has been known to burnish his populist credentials at home during simple dumpling meals at communal tables in Beijing workers’ restaurants, sat down to something... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1870219/queens-banquet-xi-jinping-balmoral-venison-and-james?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1870219/queens-banquet-xi-jinping-balmoral-venison-and-james?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Oct 2015 20:15:45 +0000 In his first public speech during his state visit to Britain, Chinese President Xi Jinping reviewed the historic relationship between the two countries and painted a picture of a promising future in which the countries became “a community of shared interests”. Xi arrived at parliament after a private lunch at Buckingham Palace with Queen Elizabeth. He told parliamentarians he was “impressed” by the “friendly” relations between the two countries. Watch: China's Jinping hails "profound... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1870214/chinese-president-xi-jinping-tells-british-parliament?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1870214/chinese-president-xi-jinping-tells-british-parliament?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Oct 2015 16:45:45 +0000 The government of David Cameron has been widely accused of kowtowing to Beijing as it rolls out the red carpet for President Xi Jinping's visit to Britain this week. Here's a typical example, from the Financial Times: "Diplomats accuse Britain of 'kowtowing'". "He is running roughshod over the Foreign Office and security policy," reported The New York Times, while accusing his government of departing from "Western" policy. I am not sure if these are fair criticisms. The main objections have... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1870111/xi-jinpings-uk-visit-shows-changing-face-sino-british?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1870111/xi-jinpings-uk-visit-shows-changing-face-sino-british?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Oct 2015 16:37:36 +0000 Student activist Joshua Wong Chi-fung led protesters from Hong Kong in opposing London's deepening ties with Beijing, as he attended a human rights rally in the British capital yesterday. Wong's attendance at the rally coincided with President Xi Jinping's first state visit to Britain - during which British Prime Minister David Cameron hopes to secure trade deals with Beijing worth billions of dollars. Speaking to the South China Morning Post, Wong attacked Beijing for breaking its promise on... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1870204/hong-kong-student-activist-joshua-wong-joins-london?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1870204/hong-kong-student-activist-joshua-wong-joins-london?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Oct 2015 16:00:00 +0000 Soccer fanatic President Xi Jinping will visit the home ground of the English Premier League club Manchester City on Friday - one of the last stops on his state visit to Britain. For some fans, this will almost certainly stir up the club's rivalry with its Premier League neighbours Manchester United, even if United are being diplomatic about it. "The president expressed a desire to see a regeneration project and the visit to Manchester City's site fitted that bill," said Phil Townsend, United's... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1870203/soccer-mad-xi-jinping-more-blue-red-was-decision-visit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1870203/soccer-mad-xi-jinping-more-blue-red-was-decision-visit?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Oct 2015 16:00:00 +0000 China has agreed to take a one-third stake in French power giant EDF's £25 billion (HK$300 billion) next-generation nuclear project at Hinkley Point in Britain, French business daily Les Echos said yesterday. The deal came as President Xi Jinping embarked on a state visit to Britain to build closer business ties. British business secretary Sajid Javid said Britain would announce tens of billions of pounds worth of business deals during this week's visit by Xi. READ MORE: British businesses hope... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1870200/china-agrees-one-third-stake-british-nuclear-project?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1870200/china-agrees-one-third-stake-british-nuclear-project?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Oct 2015 15:45:45 +0000 Chinese President Xi Jinping's first full day in London began with a state welcome as he embarked on his four-day stay in Britain, during which more than US$46 billion of deals are expected to be signed. Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan , exchanged gifts with Queen Elizabeth. The queen gave Xi a collection of Shakespeare's sonnets and Peng a pair of Royal Crown Derby candlesticks, while Xi gave the queen two of his wife's music albums, British media reported. Peng is a popular folk singer in... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1870211/royal-welcome-chinas-xi-jinping-he-brings-us46-billion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1870211/royal-welcome-chinas-xi-jinping-he-brings-us46-billion?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Oct 2015 15:45:15 +0000 President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, are making their state visit to Britain alongside about 150 leading Chinese businessmen and women. Read more: President Xi Jinping in Britain: How he will spend his time They will join Xi at a number of important meetings with representatives from British companies. On Wednesday Xi will be greeted by British Prime Minister David Cameron at his official residence before they attend a UK-China Business Summit at Mansion House, which will focus on... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/1870040/chinas-president-xi-jinping-help-mainland-business?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/1870040/chinas-president-xi-jinping-help-mainland-business?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Oct 2015 15:45:15 +0000 Our report brings you all the latest news and the freshest pictures of the first full day of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Britain. 20:20 Hong Kong Time: Queen Elizabeth II has taken the Chinese president and his wife on a tour of the Royal Collection in Buckingham Palace. The queen is showing Xi Jinping, who is on a state visit to Britain, a display of items relating to China. Earlier, Prince Charles and Xi held a private meeting where reporters were denied access. The occasion... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1870079/chinese-president-met-pomp-and-protest-britain-latest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1870079/chinese-president-met-pomp-and-protest-britain-latest?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Oct 2015 12:30:45 +0000 Student activist Joshua Wong Chi-fung is expected to lead a group of Hong Kong protesters today, joining forces with human rights groups to greet President Xi Jinping as he begins his state visit to Britain. Members of the London branch of the Hong Kong Overseas Alliance (HKOA) will join forces with Amnesty International and Tibetan and Uygur activists in protesting against Xi’s arrival. READ MORE: Drop the beat: Pro-China groups' drumming banned as police gear up for protests during Xi... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1870006/hong-kong-student-leader-joshua-wong-join-anti-xi-jinping?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1870006/hong-kong-student-leader-joshua-wong-join-anti-xi-jinping?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Oct 2015 09:00:15 +0000 President Xi Jinping arrives in Britain with his wife, Peng Liyuan, on Monday at the start of his five-day state visit, which will see his hosts roll out the red carpet to honour his arrival. Highlights of his trip will include a lavish state dinner hosted by Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace. Read more: President Xi Jinping in Britain: How he will spend his time Here we look back as some of the highs - and lows - of Sino-British relations over the past 65 years. 1950 Britain recognises the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/1869392/major-milestones-65-years-british-sino-relations?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/1869392/major-milestones-65-years-british-sino-relations?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Oct 2015 00:00:57 +0000 Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Britain on Monday for a four-day state visit as part of a push to increase trade ties between the two countries. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan will spend several nights at Buckingham Palace, hosted by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, after an elabourate formal welcome and a carriage ride to the palace on Tuesday. LATEST: Prince William urges Chinese to stop buying illegally traded wildlife products, hours before Xi’s visit Prime Minister David Cameron... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1869872/chinese-president-xi-jinping-begins-busy-state-visit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1869872/chinese-president-xi-jinping-begins-busy-state-visit?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Oct 2015 20:30:30 +0000 As President Xi Jinping begins his state visit to Britain, he is tasked with nurturing a relationship that has been transformed almost beyond recognition since his predecessor Hu Jintao stayed at Buckingham Palace a decade ago. Over the past 10 years, China’s gross domestic product has more than quadrupled, generating the equivalent of the entire British economy every two or three years. The expansion meant it leapfrogged Britain – presently ranked fifth for GDP – to become second only to the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1869870/chinese-president-xi-jinping-arrives-britain?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1869870/chinese-president-xi-jinping-arrives-britain?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Oct 2015 16:15:00 +0000 This Tuesday, President Xi Jinping begins a historic four-day trip to the United Kingdom. It is the first state visit by any Chinese president in a decade and both Beijing and London are - rhetorically at least - hailing it as a new "golden" era in bilateral ties. READ MORE: 'The reddest red carpet' will be unfurled to ensure successful President Xi Jinping state visit to Britain The pomp that Xi will be afforded is underlined by the fact that he will be feted at Buckingham Palace, Downing... https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1869421/expect-bilateral-deals-and-economic-cooperation-feature-xi?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1869421/expect-bilateral-deals-and-economic-cooperation-feature-xi?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Oct 2015 09:45:00 +0000 Xi Jinping acknowledged that China’s leaders are concerned about the economy but described the problems as “growing pains”, as he prepared to leave for his first state visit to the UK, bringing with him billions of pounds of planned investment. In the wake of stock market jitters that rocked China and the wider region recently, and with imminent growth figures likely to confirm the slowest growth rate since 2009, the Chinese president said China was looking to external deal-making with countries... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/1869293/ahead-uk-visit-xi-jinping-acknowledges-misgivings-about-beijing-london?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/1869293/ahead-uk-visit-xi-jinping-acknowledges-misgivings-about-beijing-london?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 18 Oct 2015 23:36:06 +0000 President Xi Jinping spoke out against anti-Chinese bias as he addressed opposition to China's state-subsidised investments in Britain ahead of his state visit that begins today. Business, not politics, should decide which companies win projects, Xi told Reuters. He called London's decision to embrace Chinese investment a "visionary and strategic choice", reassuring his host that China could weather the slowdown as it reshaped its economy. READ MORE: Finance, investment and football: interview... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1869275/lets-not-politicise-business-says-chinese-president-xi?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1869275/lets-not-politicise-business-says-chinese-president-xi?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 18 Oct 2015 15:30:30 +0000 President Xi Jinping's state visit to Britain - for which London is rolling out the "reddest of red carpets" - underscores how the burgeoning economic relationship between the world's second and fifth largest economies is eclipsing traditional ideological differences, analysts say. Both sides are hailing a "golden era" of relations - an appropriate image, given Xi is bringing to the table multi-billion-pound investments. READ MORE: ‘Don’t interfere’: Chinese ambassador warns UK not to raise... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1869231/differences-swept-under-red-carpet-chinese-president-xi?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1869231/differences-swept-under-red-carpet-chinese-president-xi?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 18 Oct 2015 15:00:15 +0000 China’s ambassador to the UK insisted on Sunday that his country does not shy away from discussing human rights, on the eve of a state visit by President Xi Jinping. Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, has promised to raise human rights issues this week, probably at a state banquet organised by the Queen. He has also been afforded a meeting with the Chinese leader at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday evening before the banquet. But speaking on the BBC on Sunday, Liu Xiaoming said he doubted the Labour... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/1869196/we-do-not-shy-away-discussing-human-rights-chinas-uk-envoy-says-ahead-xi?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/1869196/we-do-not-shy-away-discussing-human-rights-chinas-uk-envoy-says-ahead-xi?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 18 Oct 2015 13:59:14 +0000