World

Xi set for talks on extremism with UK's Cameron as Chinese media hails landmark state visit

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, 2nd left, and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, left, bid farewell to President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, back to camera, and his wife, Madame Peng Liyuan from Buckingham Palace on Thursday Oct. 22, 2015, in London. The President of China, Xi Jinping and his wife, are ending a State Visit to the United Kingdom as guests, staying at Buckingham Palace as guests of The Queen. (Chris Jackson / pool via AP) (The Associated Press)

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, right, and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh bid farewell to President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, left, and his wife, Madame Peng Liyuan from Buckingham Palace on Thursday Oct. 22, 2015, in London. The President of China, Xi Jinping and his wife, are ending a State Visit to the United Kingdom as guests, staying at Buckingham Palace as guests of The Queen. (Chris Jackson / pool via AP) (The Associated Press)

Britain's Prince Andrew, left, watches as Chinese President Xi Jinping, centre, views satellite coverage screens in the Network Operation Centre control room with Rupert Pearce, CEO of Inmarsat during a visit to Inmarsat in London, on the third day of his state visit to the United Kingdom, Thursday October 22, 2015. The president is on a four-day State Visit to the United Kingdom. (Anthony Devlin/Pool Photo via AP) (The Associated Press)

British Prime Minister David Cameron hopes to discuss the fight against extremism with Chinese President Xi Jinping on a state visit hailed as a landmark by both China and Britain.

Xi and his wife said goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II Thursday after spending two nights at Buckingham Palace. Xi will dine at Cameron's country estate, Chequers, before visiting Manchester to end his four-day trip.

Cameron's office said Thursday's talks would focus on international affairs and how China can help battle extremism.

The high-profile visit has seen the two countries sign more than 30 billion pounds ($46 billion) in trade agreements — and attracted protests.

It has dominated state media in China, where the Communist Party newspaper Global Times said "the Sino-U.K. relationship will expect the harvest of the 'golden era.'"