The Latest: Supporters of China's President Xi Jinping gather in London for gala ceremony

An armed British police officer patrols the Mall before Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pass by in a carriage ride to Buckingham Palace in London, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015. Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Britain Monday for a four-day state visit as part of a push to increase trade ties between the two countries. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (The Associated Press)

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People wearing I love China t-shirts pose for a photograph as they wait to see Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan pass by in a carriage ride along the Mall to Buckingham Palace in London, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015. Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Britain Monday for a four-day state visit as part of a push to increase trade ties between the two countries. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) (The Associated Press)

Protesters line The Mall in London ahead of the arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan on the first day of their state visit to the United Kingdom, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015. Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Britain Monday for a four-day state visit as part of a push to increase trade ties between the two countries. (John Stillwell/PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT (The Associated Press)

LONDON – The latest news of the first full day of Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Britain. All times local:

11:25 a.m.

Supporters of Chinese President Xi Jinping are gathering in London for a gala arrival ceremony to mark the official start of his state visit.

Chinese and British flags lined the route where the procession will take place, with some dancing in the street with a dragon costume.

Others wore T-shirts with "I (Heart) China," with half of the heart filled in with part of the Chinese flag and the other half with part of the Union Jack, and small Chinese flags painted on their cheeks.

Xi is to receive a formal welcoming ceremony and a carriage ride to Buckingham Palace on Tuesday before he addresses both houses of Parliament. Xi will be a guest of Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip.

His visit is expected to spark some protests by those who question closer ties to China because of its human rights record.

Xi is also expected to meet with Prince Charles Tuesday and to attend a palace banquet.

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8:30 a.m.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will address Britain's Parliament on the first full day of a state visit including a ceremonial carriage ride and a dinner at Buckingham Palace.

The U.K. government has rejected accusations it is pandering to China to secure investment during a visit that is expected to lead to 30 billion pounds ($46 billion) in trade deals — including a key role in building nuclear power plants in Britain.

Besides longstanding concerns about human rights, Prime Minister David Cameron is under pressure to raise the issue of China selling steel at a loss on world markets. British steel companies are in crisis — with 1,200 layoffs expected Tuesday at Tata Steel — just weeks after 2,200 jobs were lost at SSI's plant in northeast England.