Xi's U.K. Visit to Promote China-Britain Ties

CHINESE President Xi Jinping's state visit to Britain from October 19 to 23 was the first that a Chinese president has made to the U.K. in a decade. It hence marked a key diplomatic exchange with Europe.

The British royal family hosted an array of welcoming activities for Xi，including a morning greeting，ceremonial welcome，and private lunch，as well as close talks with the Chinese president. The Queen also held an elegant state banquet at Buckingham Palace. All these events signify the great importance the royal family attaches to China-Britain relations.

During his visits to London and Manchester，Xi exchanged candid and indepth views with British leaders on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern，his aim to enhance understanding，expand consensus，and blueprint the future development of bilateral relations. He also met with people in the U.K. from all sectors，and attended events relating to economy and trade as well as people-to-people exchanges. Both sides，in addition，signed multiple cooperation agreements.

The president said that China attaches great importance to expanding relations with the United Kingdom，and that deepening the China-U.K. relationship is in the fundamental interests of both countries and peoples.

The visit is widely perceived as a complete success，having comprehensively promoted bilateral，mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas，and broken ground towards new and important developments in the two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership. It has thus made significant contributions to world peace and prosperity.

President Xi，accompanied by Prince Philip，Duke of Edinburgh，inspects the guard of honor during a ceremonial welcome held by British Queen Elizabeth ll at the Horse Guards Parade in London on October 20，2015.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and British Prime Minister David Cameron meet with the press after their talks at 10 Downing Street in London on October 21，2015.

President Xi talks with a faculty member during his visit to lmperial College London on October 21，2015.

Chinese President Xi Jinping receives a grand ceremonial welcome from Queen Elizabeth ll on October 20，2015.

President Xi addresses the high-level general debate of the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly on September 28，2015.