Chinese state visit: President Xi Jinping's first day in UK

Summary

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, formally begin a four-day state visit to the UK
They took part in a procession down the Mall to Buckingham Palace
Thousands of supporters greeted him, but so too did protesters angry at China's human rights record
President Xi addressed MPs and peers in Parliament's Royal Gallery
A State Banquet will be held on Tuesday evening at Buckingham Palace

Live Reporting

Nick Eardley, Mario Cacciottolo and Victoria King

Invoking historypublished at 16:23 British Summer Time 20 October 2015
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'Shared interests'published at 16:24
"China and the UK are becoming increasingly interdependent, and becoming a community of shared interests," says Mr Xi.
Key message?published at 16:22 British Summer Time 20 October 2015
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Bilateral relationspublished at 16:23
"Since the founding of new China in 1949, our two countries have led the way in a number of areas in terms of bilateral relations," says the president.
'Mutual affection'published at 16:21
President Xi says although China and the UK are located at the opposite ends of the Eurasian continent, "we have all long shared deep mutual affection". He says China is drawing inspiration from Parliament on the rule of law.
All earspublished at 16:18 British Summer Time 20 October 2015
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First impressionspublished at 16:18
President Xi is now addressing those gathered in the Royal Gallery, and he begins by saying although his visit has just started, he is already impressed by the vitality of Anglo-Chinese relations.
'Emerging superpower'published at 16:16
Mr Bercow says that what China does will be seen by not just its 1.5bn citizens, but across the globe, as an "emerging superpower" takes its place in the world.
Name checkingpublished at 16:14 British Summer Time 20 October 2015
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Bercow's welcomepublished at 16:14
Commons Speaker John Bercow says it is his pleasure to introduce the leader of a nation which is both "very ancient and truly modern" to a parliament both "very ancient and truly modern".
Madame Peng watches onpublished at 16:12
The Chinese first lady is in prime position to watch her husband's address.
President arrivespublished at 16:09
President Xi is now in the Royal Gallery at the Palace of Westminster and has taken his seat.
Exclusive invitationpublished at 16:08 British Summer Time 20 October 2015
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Leaders' chatpublished at 16:04
We're told that President Xi is on his way to the Palace of Westminster to address both Houses of Parliament.
In the meantime, Prime Minister David Cameron and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn are passing the time with a bit of small talk - which at times, to be honest, looked a bit tense.
Full house for Xi addresspublished at 16:02
China criticised?published at 16:01
Commons Speaker John Bercow has appeared to indirectly criticise China on the day its president is due to address both Houses of Parliament.
Intervening during a question in the Commons comparing the UK's relationships with China and India, Mr Bercow said: "And of course the Indian prime minister is the representative of a great democracy."
Mr Bercow is due to introduce President Xi around 4.10pm ahead of his speech.
'Attract investment'published at 15:58
Former Lib Dem business secretary Vince Cable says it is "absolutely right" that the UK engages with China and that its leader is treated with "proper respect".
Quote Message
It's a massive economic force. It's important we have good relations with them, it's important we attract investment and it's important that we're able to trade with them and protect the interests of British companies who operate in China."
Chinese artefactspublished at 15:48
Image source, British Monarchy
Fancy having a look at what President Xi saw on his tour of the Royal Collection, which had a Chinese theme in his honour? Thencheck out this Flickr page,, externalcreated by Buckingham Palace.
Bagging a good spotpublished at 15:42 British Summer Time 20 October 2015
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Gift exchangespublished at 15:40
Christmas has come early at Buckingham Palace. Apparently the Queen has given the Chinese president a collection of Shakespeare's sonnets and received two of his wife's folk albums in return.
Xi Jinping is said to admire the Bard's work, while Madame Peng is a famous singer in China.
It is not known which of Madame Peng's albums the Queen was given, but her back catalogue includes My Fellow Countrymen, China Golden Voice and the relaxing-sounding Smooth Sailing.
The Queen also gave the couple her traditional gift to world leaders - a pair of silver framed photographs of herself and the Duke of Edinburgh, while in return, Mr Xi gave her a 1.18m long work of embroidery, a large porcelain dish, a woodcarving and a stamp booklet.