Xi ends UK visit with promises to open “golden era”
October 23, 2015, 2:41 pm

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday ended a UK visit that Prime Minister David Cameron hopes will unleash a wave of investment from the world’s second largest economy.

“We will build a global, comprehensive strategic partnership between our countries in the 21st century and jointly open up a golden era,” Xi said on Thursday.

Following discussions on $68 billion bilateral deals, a landmark nuclear deal was also inked through which China’s General Nuclear Corporation (CGN) will take a one-third stake in the planned 18 billion-pound ($28 billion) Hinkley Point nuclear plant.

The Chinese firm will also take a two-thirds stake in the Bradwell nuclear plant east of London, where it plans to build a Chinese-designed reactor, and a one-fifth stake in a project for Areva -designed reactors at the Sizewell plant.

Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan stayed at Buckingham Palace in London as the guests of Queen Elizabeth II, who hosted a grand ceremonial welcome for the couple, gave a private lunch and a formal state banquet with the attendance of senior members of the royal family.

The trip also took Xi to the old industrial city of Manchester in northern England.

As he leaves UK, good that President Xi has seen for himself the strength of our ??????

— George Osborne (@George_Osborne) October 23, 2015

Deals signed during Xi’s trip included a $10 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply deal between BP and China’s Huadian power producer, a 2.6 billion pound deal with Carnival Corp to make new cruise ships, and a 1.4 billion pound deal between Rolls-Royce and HNA Group.

The trip in pictures:

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R, front) talks with a faculty member during his visit to Imperial College London, in London, Britain, Oct. 21, 2015 [Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping (1st R) attends a banquet held by British Queen Elizabeth II (2nd R) at the Buckingham Palace in London Oct. 20, 2015 [Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and British Prime Minister David Cameron meet media after their talks at 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, Oct. 21, 2015 [Xinhua]

Xi with British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn on 20 October 2015 [Xinhua]