Pictures: President Xi Jinping lands in Manchester for China state visit

Tom Rodgers
Fri 23rd October, 9:50 AM
Business, Salford News

President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng arrived into Manchester Airport on Thursday evening ahead of the Chinese state visit.

They arrived from London Heathrow on a B747-400 ahead of their trip to Manchester and will depart directly to Beijing from Manchester Airport on Friday afternoon.

The government is trying to persuade the Chinese to invest in Greater Manchester.

Several key items are due to be announced today, including the first direct flights between Manchester Airport and Beijing.

Mr Cameron said: “China is a key trading partner for the UK and the partnerships being made today will see real investment going into the north.

“This is all part of this government’s plan to attract more investment and deliver economic growth to an area of huge potential.”

Chancellor George Osborne recently returned from a trade visit to China where he praised Salford’s 730 million Middlewood Locks development for drawing down Chinese investment.

Today at Manchester Town Hall over 200 business and community leaders will sit down with David Cameron and President Xi Jinping.

Protesters are expected to gather at St Anne’s Square this morning.

Cameron and his contingent will then move on to visit the Etihad Stadium to see Manchester City’s football academy, and Manchester University.