Chinese President Xi Jinping, accompanied by his wife Peng Liyuan, arrived in London on Monday evening for a state visit to Britain at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth II.
Xi's plane touched down at Heathrow Airport at about 8:00 p.m. local time. The couple was greeted by Viscount Hood, on behalf of the Queen, and also by British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond.
"China attaches great importance to growing relations with the United Kingdom," the president said in a written statement upon arrival.
"To deepen China-UK relationship is in the fundamental interests of both countries and peoples and meets the trend of the times," he added.
Xi noted that this year marks the start of the second decade of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, saying he hopes to have an in-depth exchange of views with British leaders on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues.
The president said he also looks forward to meeting with people from various segments of British society to discuss the future of the bilateral relations and draw a "grand blueprint" for future cooperation.
Xi's state visit is the first by a Chinese president since 2005. On Tuesday, the first day of the visit, Xi will attend activities hosted by Queen Elizabeth II.
A ceremonial welcome, including a Horse Guards Parade, will be staged on Tuesday, said Laura King, the news officer of Buckingham Palace. Then President Xi and his wife Madame Peng will head for Buckingham Palace on a royal carriage along with the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, escorted by a state carriage procession.
After a private lunch with the royal family members in the blue drawing room, Xi will attend a specially-prepared exhibition of China-related items from the royal collection.
In the evening, the Queen will host a state banquet for the couple. King said the Queen has taken much personal interest in the banquet and is overseeing details, such as the menu, bouquets and tableware. The Queen is very much looking forward to her Chinese guests' visit, Laura added.
The President is also scheduled to address the British parliament, detailing China's domestic and foreign policies.
The next day, Xi will meet Prime Minister David Cameron, and together, they will attend a China-UK business summit, focusing on bilateral cooperation on investment, infrastructure and innovation.
Besides London, Xi is also scheduled for a trip to Manchester in England's northwest, where the president will attend a banquet and visit research projects and local businesses.
Deal signings on rail projects, nuclear energy and finance are expected during the visit. According to a statement published by the office of Prime Minister David Cameron, the two sides will see more than £30 billion worth of trade and investment deals completed, creating over 3,900 jobs across the UK.
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