Sir Anthony says he is sure the issue of cheap Chinese steel imports will be raised with President Xi by Prime Minister David Cameron. "I don't think that's a problem," he goes on. "In any of these visits there are always a number of contentious and difficult issues. 

Sir Anthony Galsworthy, former UK ambassador to China, says the state visit is a "very important symbol, more important in China than it is in Britain". 

He added: 

Roy Rickhuss, general secretary of steelworkers' union Community, said the government should "hang its head in shame" at the news of job cuts by Tata Steel. 

"The cruel irony of the prime minister welcoming the Chinese Premier as UK steel jobs are cut partly due to Chinese steel dumping will not be lost on the UK's steelworkers and their communities," he said.  

Image source, Reuters

Amnesty International has organised a protest today to coincide with the Chinese president's arrival at Buckingham Palace. Its UK director Kate Allen told the BBC:

Image source, AFP

Tata Steel has announced 1,200 job losses at its plants in Scunthorpe, Lanarkshire and Scotland.

They are the latest in a series of job to go across the UK steel sector, and Tata has this morning said imports of steel plate into Europe have doubled in the past two years and and imports from China have quadrupled, causing prices to fall steeply.

Image source, Getty

Back to the day's agenda and there's still a bit more lined up for the president on Tuesday, the first full day of his four-day visit. The Duke of Cambridge will call on him at Buckingham Palace, as will Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. 

In the evening the Queen will give a state banquet at Buckingham Palace, where Her Majesty and President Xi will both make speeches.

The Guardian cites reports, external which claim the private meeting was arranged to prevent an embarrassing semi-public challenge by Mr Corbyn on China’s human rights record during the ceremonial dinner.    

Following a private lunch at Buckingham Palace, the Queen, Mr Xi and Madame Peng will visit the Palace of Westminster, where the president will deliver an address in the Royal Gallery to members of both Houses of Parliament.

Afterwards, President Xi and Madame Peng will meet the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall at Clarence House. 

The president and Madame Peng will see a display by the Prince's School for Traditional Arts and meet students, and afterwards will join their Royal Highnesses for tea. Perhaps the Chinese couple may bring their own?

Image source, Reuters

The Chinese first couple have a busy day ahead of them. Let's take a look at what they've got in store. 

The president and Madame Peng will first visit Horse Guards Parade, where the president will receive a ceremonial welcome. The Guard of Honour will give a Royal Salute and the Chinese national anthem will be played.

Afterwards, the couple will join the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh for a state carriage procession along the Mall to Buckingham Palace, which is already decked out with an abundance of flags, both official and owned by Chinese in London. 

Image source, AP

With President Xi Jinping in the UK for a state visit, what do people in Tibet make of Britain's strengthening ties with China?

Beijing correspondent John Sudworth reports from Aba.

According to the BBC Chinese service, some British Chinese citizens bought a time slot on a billboard in London's Piccadilly Circus to flash out a welcome message to Xi Jinping.  

The Chinese writing says: "Jinping, greetings." 

Image source, EDF

Xi Jinping's state visit comes as China's economy grew by just 6.9% in the third quarter, the weakest rate since the global financial crisis. It's still, of course, a growth rate many nation's would be proud of.

Chinese companies are to be allowed to take a stake in British nuclear power plants - and a final decision on their possible involvement in a new plant at Hinkley Point, Somerset - as imagined above - could be announced during this week's visit.

A trip by Mr Xi and Mr Cameron to Manchester later this week is also expected to see the announcement of further investment in the so-called "Northern powerhouse" project.

Security sources have told The Times, external the prospect of Chinese involvement in UK nuclear power poses a threat to national security, but Downing Street has played down the risk.

Image source, AP

The BBC's China editor, Carrie Gracie, has been to see the cave where Xi Jinping lived for seven years in his youth, a time when he also worked as a farmer.

She had a spot of bother there with someone she calls a "propaganda chief" but managed to get her report finished anyway. 

Image source, AFP

The state banquet scheduled for this evening at Buckingham Palace will naturally be a very fine affair, with all the guests dressed up to the nines. Among the guests are the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and David Cameron.

However, Chinese President Xi Jinping is unlikely to wear a white tie and tails, or to bow to the Queen. Why is this? 

The Independent has run an article, external detailing what it says are the Chinese human rights abuses David Cameron will not raise with Xi Jinping. 

These include, it says, the use of torture in prisons and a lack of workers' rights and trade unions.