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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Chinese prime minister due in UK | Chinese prime minister due in UK |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The Chinese Prime Minister, Wen Jiabao, is due to arrive in London later for a three-day trip to the UK. | The Chinese Prime Minister, Wen Jiabao, is due to arrive in London later for a three-day trip to the UK. |
| Talks are expected to focus on the global financial downturn; both the UK and China are keen to boost their economic ties with each other. | Talks are expected to focus on the global financial downturn; both the UK and China are keen to boost their economic ties with each other. |
| The Free Tibet protest group says it is planning a number of demonstrations during the visit. | The Free Tibet protest group says it is planning a number of demonstrations during the visit. |
| Mr Wen's European tour also includes Germany, Spain, the EU in Brussels and the World Economic Forum in Davos. | Mr Wen's European tour also includes Germany, Spain, the EU in Brussels and the World Economic Forum in Davos. |
| The prime minister is expected to join celebrations in London on Sunday marking the start of the Chinese New Year. | |
| 'Troubled times' | |
| BBC News correspondent Jill McGivering said Mr Wen is expected to promote China's economic prospects and push for more investment from the UK. | |
| She said: "These are troubled times - and Britain and China are sticking together. | |
| "Gordon Brown sees China as a powerful ally as he presses for reform of international financial bodies. | |
| "And China's economy - expected to grow at about 7% this year - is very attractive to British investors." | |
| She added that Mr Wen would be seeking reassurance that the UK will join China's fight against global protectionism. | |
| This is when governments restrict import quotas in a bid to protect domestic industries from global competition - but China says this is damaging to its export trade. | |
| The visit follows an announcement earlier this month by Foreign Secretary David Miliband that improving relations with China is to be a "major priority" for the UK in the years ahead. | The visit follows an announcement earlier this month by Foreign Secretary David Miliband that improving relations with China is to be a "major priority" for the UK in the years ahead. |
| 'Candid' | 'Candid' |
| In a 20-page framework document Mr Miliband said the UK will be "candid" when it disagrees with China, but will build a relationship based on co-operation | In a 20-page framework document Mr Miliband said the UK will be "candid" when it disagrees with China, but will build a relationship based on co-operation |
| He also stressed the importance of economic ties between the two countries and emphasised China's growing role in international affairs. | He also stressed the importance of economic ties between the two countries and emphasised China's growing role in international affairs. |
| The document represents a sort of stock-taking of ties between London and Beijing and sets out aspirations for the way in which Sino-UK ties should develop over the next four years. | The document represents a sort of stock-taking of ties between London and Beijing and sets out aspirations for the way in which Sino-UK ties should develop over the next four years. |
| Mr Wen has snubbed France during his European tour, reportedly because of a meeting between President Nicolas Sarkozy and the Dalai Lama late last year. | Mr Wen has snubbed France during his European tour, reportedly because of a meeting between President Nicolas Sarkozy and the Dalai Lama late last year. |
| China reacted at the time by cancelling a scheduled summit with the EU. | China reacted at the time by cancelling a scheduled summit with the EU. |