Queen Elizabeth II herself will host a banquet for President Xi during his state visit to the United Kingdom. (Photo : Reuters)
President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan will be treated to a royal affair for their scheduled state visit to the United Kingdom next week, according to China Daily.
In a news conference on Thursday, Oct. 15, the Chinese Ambassador to the United Kingdom confirmed that the Chinese president and first lady will meet three generations of the British royal family.
According to Liu Xiaoming, among the royalty slated for attendance is Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, and other family members.
In the United Kingdom, state visits are always accorded the highest level of reception.
The state visit, which will run from Oct. 19-23, will include a welcoming ceremony, a state banquet hosted by Her Majesty the Queen, and a banquet in the City of London. A 103-gun royal salute will also be staged, featuring 62 guns at the Tower of London and 41 guns in Green Park.
In an interview with China Daily, Buckingham Palace's senior communications officer Laura King shared that "the royal kitchen may showcase native products on the (state banquet) menu, with many fresh ingredients being sourced from the queen's estates."
Xi is also scheduled to deliver a speech to the British Parliament.
A meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron is also included in the itinerary. Together, Xi and Cameron will attend several events in London and Manchester. Cameron and his wife will also host Xi and Peng at Chequers. It is a custom since 1921 to host foreign dignitaries in the country residence.
Xi's state visit is not all royal fanfare. For China, strengthened China-U.K. relations can bring a great deal to international relations.
"All these factors are pointing to a super state visit," said Liu.
