UK and China looking forward to new future

Mr Xi's trip is the first UK state visit by a Chinese leader since 2005

This was a British royal welcome for the president of a nation which for much of its history was ruled by Emperors.

The two countries' shared past — from the Chinese perspective — is littered with injustices, not least the Opium Wars. Today is about the shared future.

The Chinese, their officials say, tend to look forward.

Just as well, given that their royal hosts include Prince Charles who once referred to Chinese officials as "appalling old waxworks"; and Prince Philip who warned some British students in China in the 1980s that they'd get "slitty eyes" if they stayed there too long.

The future ,the two countries will continue to emphasise , involves trade deals and a nuclear plant on British soil designed, built and operated by the Chinese.

Others will focus on the human rights issues in a powerful country where free speech is suppressed.