News Digest

Pomp and protests as China’s Xi meets Queen Elizabeth II

Chinese President Xi Jinping enjoyed a glittering state banquet hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday in a visit to Britain focused on business deals and stronger trade ties. Xi recalled British-Chinese cooperation at different points in history before proposing a toast to the royal family, clinking glasses with the queen. The 170 guests included Prince William and his wife Kate wearing a red gown and tiara, British Prime Minister David Cameron and finance minister George Osborne in white bow ties, Xi’s wife Peng Li yuan and other Chinese dignitaries.

Mr. President, your visit is a defining moment in this very special year for our bilateral relationship.

Queen Elizabeth told Xi in a speech.

Music for the evening included Scottish military pipers and a string orchestra that played Chinese folk songs and tunes from British band The Beatles, and the menu featured venison from the queen’s Scottish estate and fine wines. Xi rode to the palace in a gilded carriage past thousands of supporters with Chinese flags, and around 200 protesters who booed and waved placards attacking China’s human rights record. Xi also addressed parliament in a rare honour for visiting dignitaries, promising to lift relations between Britain and China to “a new height”.