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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| PM arrives for first China visit | PM arrives for first China visit |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Gordon Brown has arrived in China for his first visit to the country since becoming prime minister. | Gordon Brown has arrived in China for his first visit to the country since becoming prime minister. |
| His take-off from the UK to Beijing was delayed on Thursday when a plane crash-landed at London's Heathrow. | His take-off from the UK to Beijing was delayed on Thursday when a plane crash-landed at London's Heathrow. |
| During the three-day trip, which also includes a visit to India, Mr Brown will discuss trade and preparations for this summer's Beijing Olympics. | During the three-day trip, which also includes a visit to India, Mr Brown will discuss trade and preparations for this summer's Beijing Olympics. |
| The Chinese government has said the PM's trip is intended to bring a "new vitality" to relations. | The Chinese government has said the PM's trip is intended to bring a "new vitality" to relations. |
| Trade talks | Trade talks |
| Mr Brown is being accompanied on the trip by more than 20 leading British and European business figures including Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson and CBI Director General Richard Lambert. | Mr Brown is being accompanied on the trip by more than 20 leading British and European business figures including Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson and CBI Director General Richard Lambert. |
| His talks, with Chinese premier Wen Jiabao and President Hu Jintao, are expected to focus on trade and the environment. | His talks, with Chinese premier Wen Jiabao and President Hu Jintao, are expected to focus on trade and the environment. |
| Gordon Brown must make clear that Britain does not approve of China's record on human rights Kate Allen, director of Amnesty International UK class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7195309.stm">China's green plans on show | |
| Trade between China and the UK was worth an estimated $40bn (£20.2bn) last year. | Trade between China and the UK was worth an estimated $40bn (£20.2bn) last year. |
| Mr Brown has said he wants to see a 50% increase in trade with China over the next two years, possibly creating "tens of thousands" of jobs. | Mr Brown has said he wants to see a 50% increase in trade with China over the next two years, possibly creating "tens of thousands" of jobs. |
| British officials said the UK economy, with its strength in the service sector, was well placed to complement China's dynamic manufacturing boom. | British officials said the UK economy, with its strength in the service sector, was well placed to complement China's dynamic manufacturing boom. |
| Other senior businessmen travelling with the prime minister include Shell chairman Jorma Ollila and Vodafone chief executive Arun Sarin. | Other senior businessmen travelling with the prime minister include Shell chairman Jorma Ollila and Vodafone chief executive Arun Sarin. |
| Business secretary John Hutton, and trade minister and former CBI head Lord Digby Jones were also on board the prime minister's plane. | Business secretary John Hutton, and trade minister and former CBI head Lord Digby Jones were also on board the prime minister's plane. |
| As soon as he landed, Mr Brown, accompanied by his wife Sarah, was taken to the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square for a ceremonial welcome from Prime Minister Wen. | As soon as he landed, Mr Brown, accompanied by his wife Sarah, was taken to the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square for a ceremonial welcome from Prime Minister Wen. |
| Human rights | Human rights |
| Human rights activists called on Mr Brown not to shy away from discussing difficult issues with the Chinese government. | Human rights activists called on Mr Brown not to shy away from discussing difficult issues with the Chinese government. |
| Kate Allen, director of Amnesty International UK, said: "As the Beijing Olympics approaches, China will be increasingly sensitive to its reputation in other countries. | Kate Allen, director of Amnesty International UK, said: "As the Beijing Olympics approaches, China will be increasingly sensitive to its reputation in other countries. |
| "Gordon Brown must make clear that Britain does not approve of its record on human rights. | "Gordon Brown must make clear that Britain does not approve of its record on human rights. |
| "Basic values like justice and free speech are held dear by the British people and our prime minister must reflect their importance." | "Basic values like justice and free speech are held dear by the British people and our prime minister must reflect their importance." |
| During his talks with Wen Jiabao Mr Brown is also expected to emphasise the importance of educational links between the two countries. | During his talks with Wen Jiabao Mr Brown is also expected to emphasise the importance of educational links between the two countries. |
| On Thursday Mr Brown announced an internet project aimed at expanding the teaching of English which he said he wanted to become "the world's language". | On Thursday Mr Brown announced an internet project aimed at expanding the teaching of English which he said he wanted to become "the world's language". |
| In an article on the Number 10 website he wrote: "I believe that with the right help we will have a situation by 2025 where the number of English speakers in China exceeds the number of speakers of English as a first language in all of the rest of the world." | In an article on the Number 10 website he wrote: "I believe that with the right help we will have a situation by 2025 where the number of English speakers in China exceeds the number of speakers of English as a first language in all of the rest of the world." |
| Olympics | Olympics |
| On the first leg of his visit over the next two days in Beijing Mr Brown will also want to hear first hand of the city's preparations for this year's Olympics, with London due to host the next games in 2012. | On the first leg of his visit over the next two days in Beijing Mr Brown will also want to hear first hand of the city's preparations for this year's Olympics, with London due to host the next games in 2012. |
| The Premier will later visit Shanghai where he is expected to view plans for a developing an "eco-city" - having promised similar projects for the UK. | |
| China is both one of the world's leading polluters and one of the most acute potential sufferers of the effects of global warming. | China is both one of the world's leading polluters and one of the most acute potential sufferers of the effects of global warming. |
| Mr Brown's five-day visit will also take him later this week to India where he will announce plans to train 750,000 English teachers there over the next five years. | Mr Brown's five-day visit will also take him later this week to India where he will announce plans to train 750,000 English teachers there over the next five years. |