The leader of the world's largest nation today visited the birthplace of William Shakespeare at the start of his three day visit to the UK.
Chinese premier Wen Jiabao and his large entourage arrived in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, to be greeted by dozens of flag-waving members of the UK's Chinese community.
Jiabao was greeted at the historic town by British Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt, his Chinese wife Lucia and their son Jack.
With the summer sun blaring down, Jiabao - who is a fan of the Bard - watched a scene from Hamlet in the garden of the house where Shakespeare was born in 1564.
Speaking to Sky News, he said his love of Shakespeare began as a child.
"The local people here have every reason to take pride that this place has produced a figure who belongs not only to the UK but to the world," Mr Wen said.
"A great man who belongs not just to his era but to entire history."
From Stratford, Mr Wen travelled to the former Rover factory at Longbridge in Birmingham, now owned by Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation.
There he launched the new MG6 Magnette, a car built in China but assembled in Birmingham, while outside demonstrators protested about China's human rights.
With a population of around 1,340,000,000, mighty China is the UK's second biggest trading partner outside the EU, with business worth £31bn a year.
China's Premier Stops At Shakespeare's Home
Sunday June 26, 2011
Simon Newton, Sky News reporter
Sky News
Whilst in Stratford-upon-Avon, the Chinese leader visited the house (above) where Shakespeare was born in 1564
China's most powerful man has begun his three-day visit to Britain at the birthplace of Shakespeare.
Premier Wen Jiabao and his large entourage arrived in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, to be greeted by dozens of flag-waving members of the UK's Chinese community.
He then toured the Bard's birthplace - now a museum - before sitting in the sun-drenched garden to watch a short scene from Hamlet, one of his favourite plays.
Speaking to Sky News, he said his love of Shakespeare began as a child.
"The local people here have every reason to take pride that this place has produced a figure who belongs not only to the UK but to the world," Mr Wen said.
"A great man who belongs not just to his era but to entire history."
The premier arrives at Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
It is hoped the premier's visit to Stratford, combined with Britain's recently launched £100m tourism marketing campaign featuring stars like Dame Judi Dench, will help to lure visitors from emerging markets like China.
'Brand Britain' is extremely popular in China - some 30 million Chinese watched the Royal wedding in April.
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt, whose wife is Chinese and who accompanied Mr Wen on his visit, said China was a huge untapped resource for UK tourism.
Mr Wen greets Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt and his family
"We already have 150,000 Chinese visiting the UK every year - I believe that's the tip of the iceberg," he explained.
"When you look at what places like Stratford have to offer we think we can double, even treble over the next few years."
Mr Wen is in Britain to discuss trade and investment links. China is the UK's second biggest trading partner outside the EU, with business worth £31bn a year.
With its own manufacturing increasingly outsourced to cheaper labour markets like Vietnam, China is keen to establish a business foothold in Europe, particularly by investing in established brands.
From Stratford, Mr Wen travelled to the former Rover factory at Longbridge, now owned by Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation.
The Chinese premier was delighted to get behind the wheel of the new MG6
There he launched the new MG6 Magnette, a car built in China but assembled in Birmingham, while outside demonstrators protested about China's human rights.
Mr Wen will hold talks with David Cameron at Downing Street on Monday, where there are expected to be more protests.
As well as trade, the Prime Minister is expected to raise the issue of China's human rights record.
On the eve of his visit, two prominent dissidents - artist Ai Weiwei and political activist Hu Jia - were both released from prison. Neither has been allowed to speak to the media.
China launched one of its biggest ever crackdowns on dissent in February fearing protests like those seen in the Arab world.
Protesters practice Falun Gong exercises outside the MG motor plant in Birmingham
news.sky.com
Chinese premier Wen Jiabao and his large entourage arrived in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, to be greeted by dozens of flag-waving members of the UK's Chinese community.
Jiabao was greeted at the historic town by British Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt, his Chinese wife Lucia and their son Jack.
With the summer sun blaring down, Jiabao - who is a fan of the Bard - watched a scene from Hamlet in the garden of the house where Shakespeare was born in 1564.
Speaking to Sky News, he said his love of Shakespeare began as a child.
"The local people here have every reason to take pride that this place has produced a figure who belongs not only to the UK but to the world," Mr Wen said.
"A great man who belongs not just to his era but to entire history."
From Stratford, Mr Wen travelled to the former Rover factory at Longbridge in Birmingham, now owned by Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation.
There he launched the new MG6 Magnette, a car built in China but assembled in Birmingham, while outside demonstrators protested about China's human rights.
With a population of around 1,340,000,000, mighty China is the UK's second biggest trading partner outside the EU, with business worth £31bn a year.
China's Premier Stops At Shakespeare's Home
Sunday June 26, 2011
Simon Newton, Sky News reporter
Sky News
Whilst in Stratford-upon-Avon, the Chinese leader visited the house (above) where Shakespeare was born in 1564
China's most powerful man has begun his three-day visit to Britain at the birthplace of Shakespeare.
Premier Wen Jiabao and his large entourage arrived in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, to be greeted by dozens of flag-waving members of the UK's Chinese community.
He then toured the Bard's birthplace - now a museum - before sitting in the sun-drenched garden to watch a short scene from Hamlet, one of his favourite plays.
Speaking to Sky News, he said his love of Shakespeare began as a child.
"The local people here have every reason to take pride that this place has produced a figure who belongs not only to the UK but to the world," Mr Wen said.
"A great man who belongs not just to his era but to entire history."
The premier arrives at Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
It is hoped the premier's visit to Stratford, combined with Britain's recently launched £100m tourism marketing campaign featuring stars like Dame Judi Dench, will help to lure visitors from emerging markets like China.
'Brand Britain' is extremely popular in China - some 30 million Chinese watched the Royal wedding in April.
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt, whose wife is Chinese and who accompanied Mr Wen on his visit, said China was a huge untapped resource for UK tourism.
Mr Wen greets Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt and his family
"We already have 150,000 Chinese visiting the UK every year - I believe that's the tip of the iceberg," he explained.
"When you look at what places like Stratford have to offer we think we can double, even treble over the next few years."
Mr Wen is in Britain to discuss trade and investment links. China is the UK's second biggest trading partner outside the EU, with business worth £31bn a year.
With its own manufacturing increasingly outsourced to cheaper labour markets like Vietnam, China is keen to establish a business foothold in Europe, particularly by investing in established brands.
From Stratford, Mr Wen travelled to the former Rover factory at Longbridge, now owned by Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation.
The Chinese premier was delighted to get behind the wheel of the new MG6
There he launched the new MG6 Magnette, a car built in China but assembled in Birmingham, while outside demonstrators protested about China's human rights.
Mr Wen will hold talks with David Cameron at Downing Street on Monday, where there are expected to be more protests.
As well as trade, the Prime Minister is expected to raise the issue of China's human rights record.
On the eve of his visit, two prominent dissidents - artist Ai Weiwei and political activist Hu Jia - were both released from prison. Neither has been allowed to speak to the media.
China launched one of its biggest ever crackdowns on dissent in February fearing protests like those seen in the Arab world.
Protesters practice Falun Gong exercises outside the MG motor plant in Birmingham
news.sky.com
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