This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7863613.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Chinese PM in talks with Tories Chinese PM greeted by protesters
(about 1 hour later)
Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao is meeting Tory leader David Cameron and shadow foreign secretary William Hague on day two of his UK visit. A number of protesters from the Free Tibet group were handcuffed by police after trying to approach Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao during his UK visit.
The focus is on the global financial downturn, with the UK and China both keen to boost their economic ties. Several people vaulted barriers as he arrived outside the Chinese Embassy in London amid a noisy demonstration.
The Free Tibet protest group is planning a number of demonstrations during the visit. Supporters of Mr Wen were also outside the building, where he was greeted by dragon dancers and firecrackers.
Earlier Mr Hague warned the meeting with Mr Wen would not gloss over China's human rights record. The Chinese Prime Minister had earlier met Tory leader David Cameron and shadow foreign secretary William Hague.
Mr Hague said: "We always in our meetings with Chinese leaders raise issues of human rights and Tibet and so on, and I think it's always important to do that to be consistent over time so we don't just raise these things when they are in the news." The focus of the meeting had been on the global financial downturn, with the UK and China both keen to boost their economic ties.
He added: "We also want a very constructive relationship with China because they are members of the UN Security Council - when it comes to things like the North Korean nuclear programme we need China to be working with us." But Mr Hague had said the talks would not gloss over China's human rights record, adding: "We always in our meetings with Chinese leaders raise issues of human rights and Tibet."
Mr Wen's European tour, which includes three days in Britain, takes in Germany, Spain, the EU in Brussels and the World Economic Forum in Davos. Slogans and placards
The Chinese PM is expected to join celebrations in London on Sunday marking the start of the Chinese New Year. After the meeting, Mr Wen travelled to the Chinese Embassy where a group of around 100 were chanting pro-Tibetan slogans and brandishing placards from behind barriers.
BBC correspondent Barnie Choudhury said Mr Wen took no notice of the protest as he made his way into the building.
"Protesters vaulted over the barriers and made their way across the road," he said.
"Police decided they had to go in and began trying to hold the protesters back as they try to breach the barriers."
Officers were filmed taking at least two men away in handcuffs.
Mr Wen's European tour, which includes three days in Britain, takes in Germany and Spain.
He will also visit the EU headquarters in Brussels and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The Chinese PM is expected to join celebrations in London on Sunday afternoon to mark the start of the Chinese New Year.
He will also make a speech at the University of Cambridge, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.He will also make a speech at the University of Cambridge, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.
'Troubled times''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.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.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."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.""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.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.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-operationIn 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.