Xi Jinping’s visit to the UK to include grandiose ceremonies, rich deals, and whispered human rights issues
London (AsiaNews) – The state visit to the United Kingdom by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan will include grandiose ceremonies, major economic deals and attempts to play down human rights issues.
The Chinese leader and his wife arrived yesterday and will remain in the United Kingdom until 23 October. This is the first visit by a Chinese leader since President Hu Jintao’s ten years ago.
London is rolling out the "reddest of red carpets" for President Xi Jinping, head of the world’s second largest economy.
After an elaborate formal welcome and a carriage ride to the palace on Tuesday, Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, will spend several nights at Buckingham Palace, hosted by Queen Elizabeth II, where he will meet the Who’s Who of British political, economic and cultural life.
Prince Charles, a friend of the exiled Tibetan leader, the Dalai Lama, will not be attending, so as not to embarrass the Chinese guest.
Xi will also address parliament at the Palace of Westminster.
Prime Minister David Cameron has already hailed a “golden era” in Sino-British relations as economic relations between the two countries blossom.
Deals worth more than US$ 46.4 billion are to be signed during Xi’s four-day visit, in the retail, energy, financial services and aerospace sectors. Some new 3,900 jobs should be created in Britain.
One major deal under discussion is for China to take a key role in a project to build Britain’s first new nuclear power station in decades, Hinkley Point C in southwest England.
The British government is eager for the visit to succeed. If these and other deals like them come through, then the UK could overtake Italy – which has seen huge inflows of Chinese cash in the past two years – as China's favoured European investment destination.
Responding to criticism from human rights groups, the British government said that human rights issues would be raised in private meetings with the Chinese leader.
For its part, the Chinese Embassy in London said that “it would be better” that human rights issues not be expressed in public receptions.
Meanwhile, pro-Tibet groups, Falun Gong activists, and supporters of Chinese dissident plan to be at key points along Xi’s drive through the city.
Police plans to keep protesters in check. The latter will not be allowed to shout loudly or use drums. Pro-China groups will however be able to use them to celebrate the presence of the illustrious guest.
In addition to his royal engagements, Xi Jinping apparently asked to do some regular things. As a “man of the people,” he is set to visit the Manchester City football club, and is expected to go to a pub and eat England’s iconic food, ‘fish ‘n chips’.
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