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| Cameron hails China links at talks with Li Keqiang | Cameron hails China links at talks with Li Keqiang |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| David Cameron has said the UK's relationship with China is "gaining in strength, depth and understanding" after talks with Premier Li Keqiang. | |
| The two men discussed bilateral economic links and international issues on the second day of Mr Li's trip to the UK - his first as Chinese leader. | |
| Campaigners urged Mr Cameron to raise China's human rights record with Mr Li during the discussions. | |
| Earlier on Tuesday, the Chinese leader met The Queen at Windsor Castle. | Earlier on Tuesday, the Chinese leader met The Queen at Windsor Castle. |
| It is the first UK visit by a Chinese premier since a row in 2012 over Mr Cameron's meeting with exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. | It is the first UK visit by a Chinese premier since a row in 2012 over Mr Cameron's meeting with exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. |
| High-level relations between the UK and China were frozen for a time after this but, after a change of leadership at the top of the Chinese Communist Party in March 2013, Mr Cameron visited China in December. | High-level relations between the UK and China were frozen for a time after this but, after a change of leadership at the top of the Chinese Communist Party in March 2013, Mr Cameron visited China in December. |
| 'Co-operation' | 'Co-operation' |
| Speaking after a Sino-British ministerial summit in No 10, Mr Cameron said the partnership between the two countries was one of "growth, reform and innovation". | |
| He said the two men had discussed growing economic and cultural ties and international issues, including the threat from terrorism and the crises in Iraq and Ukraine. | |
| Mr Li said the relationship between the two countries was maturing and welcomed the UK's plans to relax the visa rules for Chinese visitors. | |
| Mr Li has said he hopes the trip will help to "change misperceptions and misgivings" about his country but the UK has said it remains "deeply concerned" about China's human rights record. | Mr Li has said he hopes the trip will help to "change misperceptions and misgivings" about his country but the UK has said it remains "deeply concerned" about China's human rights record. |
| On the eve of the visit, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the government would not shy away from raising China's "large scale and systematic" human rights abuses. | On the eve of the visit, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the government would not shy away from raising China's "large scale and systematic" human rights abuses. |
| Activists campaigning for a variety of causes, including Tibetan independence, staged a colourful and noisy protest opposite the gates of Downing Street before Mr Li's arrival. | Activists campaigning for a variety of causes, including Tibetan independence, staged a colourful and noisy protest opposite the gates of Downing Street before Mr Li's arrival. |
| The summit in No 10 was also attended by Foreign Secretary William Hague, Chancellor George Osborne and Energy Secretary Ed Davey. | The summit in No 10 was also attended by Foreign Secretary William Hague, Chancellor George Osborne and Energy Secretary Ed Davey. |
| Earlier Mr Li was received by the Queen and the Duke of York, a former UK trade envoy, in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle. The Chinese premier was accompanied by his wife, Cheng Hong. | Earlier Mr Li was received by the Queen and the Duke of York, a former UK trade envoy, in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle. The Chinese premier was accompanied by his wife, Cheng Hong. |
| Analysis: Carrie Gracie, BBC China editor | Analysis: Carrie Gracie, BBC China editor |
| Today is a mix of pomp, politics and money. | Today is a mix of pomp, politics and money. |
| Act One is at Windsor Castle for an audience with the Queen - for Mr Li, a priceless photo opportunity to impress the public back home. | Act One is at Windsor Castle for an audience with the Queen - for Mr Li, a priceless photo opportunity to impress the public back home. |
| Act Two is at Downing Street - a prime ministerial summit to underline the message that business is now at the heart of the UK-China relationship, with the prickly topic of human rights discussed behind closed doors. | Act Two is at Downing Street - a prime ministerial summit to underline the message that business is now at the heart of the UK-China relationship, with the prickly topic of human rights discussed behind closed doors. |
| But there will be two episodes with less predictable choreography - a Tibetan demonstration against the Chinese premier in Whitehall and a brief news conference with the British media. The Chinese will expect both to be carefully controlled. | But there will be two episodes with less predictable choreography - a Tibetan demonstration against the Chinese premier in Whitehall and a brief news conference with the British media. The Chinese will expect both to be carefully controlled. |
| For Act Three of his day Mr Li will be safely back in his comfort zone - addressing a business audience over dinner at the Natural History Museum. | For Act Three of his day Mr Li will be safely back in his comfort zone - addressing a business audience over dinner at the Natural History Museum. |
| At the start of Mr Li's three-day visit, the Home Office announced a new visa service, to be offered to all Chinese visitors to the UK following a pilot programme for tour operators last year. | At the start of Mr Li's three-day visit, the Home Office announced a new visa service, to be offered to all Chinese visitors to the UK following a pilot programme for tour operators last year. |
| Mr Li, who has been accompanied by a large business delegation, is expected to formally agree commercial deals and investments worth up to £18bn in areas such as energy and finance. | Mr Li, who has been accompanied by a large business delegation, is expected to formally agree commercial deals and investments worth up to £18bn in areas such as energy and finance. |
| UK Trade and Investment said there had been more inward investment from China in the UK economy in the past 18 months than in the previous 30 years, with £8bn spent in 2013-4. | UK Trade and Investment said there had been more inward investment from China in the UK economy in the past 18 months than in the previous 30 years, with £8bn spent in 2013-4. |
| Negotiations to end a Chinese ban on imports of British beef and lamb are also to be announced. | Negotiations to end a Chinese ban on imports of British beef and lamb are also to be announced. |
| Restrictions were imposed by China in response to the BSE outbreak in the 1980s and 1990s but it is expected that formal official-level talks will begin on opening up a market that could be worth up to £120m to the British economy. | Restrictions were imposed by China in response to the BSE outbreak in the 1980s and 1990s but it is expected that formal official-level talks will begin on opening up a market that could be worth up to £120m to the British economy. |
| The Chinese premier is visiting the UK as part of a tour of European countries. | The Chinese premier is visiting the UK as part of a tour of European countries. |