British PM Cameron treats President Xi to beer, fish and chips in English pub
Updated: 2015-10-23 07:52
By By WUJIAO and ZHANG CHUNYAN in London(China Daily Europe)
|
||||||||
Xi, Cameron get to know each other better at country estate, local pub
President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister David Cameron visit a pub in Princess Risborough, near Chequers, England, on Thursday. [PHOTO BY WU ZHIYI/CHINA DAILY] |
President Xi Jinping was served with Britain's famous fish and chips in a traditional English pub with British Prime Minister David Cameron on Thursday, as their meeting took an informal turn that observers say let them build their relationship out of the limelight.
After a state banquet at Buckingham Palace and another banquet at London's Guildhall, Xi experienced something less formal at Chequers, a tranquil country estate that has hosted foreign dignitaries since becoming the official retreat for prime ministers in 1921.
Receiving a warm welcome at Chequers, Xi visited a pub with Cameron after they held talks with their aides at the country residence. No 10 Downing Street said the two leaders'discussions would focus onglobal affairs.
The visit to Chequers, the neo-Gothic-style estate in Buckinghamshire, was planned as a counterpoint to the official welcome and formal meeting.
In the evening, Xi and first lady Peng Liyuan were to sit down to a full dinner with Cameron and his wife, Samantha.
"Chequers is an important venue for British diplomacy. As the prime minister's country retreat - like Camp David for the US president - Chequers provides opportunities for individuals to communicate away from the glare of the press. Again, at least nominally, they can relax a little,"said Simon Rofe, director of the global diplomacy MA program at University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies.
- From Bond to Beckham: Highlights of Xi's speech at the Guildhall banquet
- Beloved panda was wartime ambassador warming hearts of people
- China and UK in the eyes of each other's painters
- President Xi, first lady Peng attend Guildhall banquet in London
- President Xi visits Imperial College London
- Peng visits Fortismere School in London
- A tale of two countries – Chinese footballers' British struggles
- Top 19 Chinese CEOs accompanying Xi to UK
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
8 highlights about V-day Parade |
Glimpses of Tibet: Plateaus, people and faith |
Chinese entrepreneurs remain optimistic despite economic downfall |
50th anniversary of Tibet autonomous region |
Tianjin explosions: Deaths, destruction and bravery |
Cinemas enjoy strong first half |
Today's Top News
Tu first Chinese to win Nobel Prize in Medicine
Huntsman says Sino-US relationship needs common goals
Xi pledges $2 billion to help developing countries
Young people from US look forward to Xi's state visit: Survey
US to accept more refugees than planned
Li calls on State-owned firms to tap more global markets
Apple's iOS App Store suffers first major attack
Japan enacts new security laws to overturn postwar pacifism
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |