Xi Jinping's state visit to the UK

Xi Jinping's state visit to the United Kingdom marked a pivotal moment in the diplomatic relations between China and the UK. This visit was characterized by a series of formal meetings, representing the third significant diplomatic engagement between the two nations. The visit was notable for its informal elements, including a public interaction where Xi Jinping shared a pint with then-Prime Minister David Cameron at a local pub in Buckinghamshire. This gesture was emblematic of the growing cordiality between the two countries, despite underlying tensions regarding China's rising superpower status and various controversies surrounding the visit. Queen Elizabeth II acknowledged the importance of this visit, referring to it as a 'milestone' during a state banquet, which further underscored the significance of the occasion in the context of UK-China relations.