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
The President, dressed in a dark suit, along with his wife Madame Peng, who is dressed in cream, are being introduced to various dignitaries by the Queen.
In the background, the 41-gun salute adds a rather noisy soundtrack to all the handshaking.
President Xi Jinping has arrived to a gun salute at Horse Guards Parade.
Image source, AFPDavid Cameron was spotted leaning forward to speak to the Queen at Horse Guards Parade. Must be noisy there.
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Image source, PAThe home secretary chose a red dress, hat and shoes for the day, perhaps to echo the Chinese flag. David Cameron opted to leave his red tie at home though.
The Queen is awaiting her esteemed visitors at Horse Guards Parade.
President Xi can look forward to an honour guard and a 41-gun salute at Horse Guards Parade. He's currently travelling the short distance by car from his hotel.
A smiling President Xi waves at crowds and cameras outside his hotel. Prince Charles was alongside him as he emerged.
President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng have just emerged from the Royal Mandarin Hotel. Quick picture coming soon.
Here's the Queen and Prince Philip greeting the prime minister as all of them await the Chinese president.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have arrived at Horse Guards Parade, where they are now chatting with the various dignitaries already there.
Prime Minister David Cameron and Home Secretary Theresa May have arrived at Horse Guards parade, ahead of the ceremony due to take place there soon.
The president and his wife were not staying at Buckingham Palace last night - rather they are slumming it at the 5-star Mandarin Oriental, in London’s Knightsbridge.
The hotel, which boasts 169 rooms and 26 suites and is the home to Heston Blumenthal’s Dinner restaurant, is owned by Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, based in Hong Kong.
Image source, PoolFinal preparations have been taking place on Horse Guards Parade ahead of the Chinese leader's arrival. And the world's media is out in force.
Image source, PAPlenty happening on the streets of London today, thanks to Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit. Here's a few of the sights to be seen.
Image source, Reuters
Image source, Reuters
Image source, Reuters
Image source, AFPDavid Cameron's former strategy adviser Steve Hilton isn't too impressed by the government's approach to China. Writing in the Daily Mail, he warns, external that "by embracing the Chinese dictatorship, we bring national and moral dishonour".
Rather than "rolling out the red carpet" Britain should stand up to the "dangerous rogue state", he argues, citing its poor human rights record.
Quote MessageI understand why David Cameron and George Osborne are doing this. They genuinely believe it’s in Britain’s long-term economic interests. Well, although they are good friends and I usually support them wholeheartedly, on this issue, as they have known for years, I think they are deeply wrong."
Mr Hilton argues that Britain should instead look to India, "a genuine democracy", as a "more fruitful", long-term partner to "promote progress and prosperity".
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Image source, PAAssuming everything's going to plan, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall should be having a chat with President Xi and Madame Peng at the Royal Mandarin Hotel any time now. They'll head from there to the Mall shortly.
This image shows those sumptuous surroundings with a heavy police presence last night.
Practitioners of the Falun Gong spiritual movement, which is banned in China, are also staging a protest on the Mall.
This image of them was taken by a member of the BBC's Chinese team.
The BBC's Ben Geogehan, on the Mall, describes the two sides of the events there.
Quote MessageOn the one hand, thousands of students from all over the country are welcoming President Xi - it's quite festive, quite noisy. On the other side is Amnesty International, trying to hold a human rights protest. And every so often the former turn up in front of the latter and try to upstage them. The police are watching it closely, but it's all good natured so far. A short time ago, a student tried to throw a red Chinese flag over the head of a man carrying a protest placard - the police gently asked him to move on."