It's Guy Fawkes Night on Nov 5, a day when the English burn straw and paper models of the man who tried to blow up the government in 1605.

Over the centuries, the anniversary has been used for all sorts of purposes, from protesting about religion to burning figures of political or controversial people of their day.

However, 410 years on, I doubt anyone gives much thought to the truly epic reason behind the day, which is now just an excuse to light bonfires, set off fireworks and eat baked potatoes. And that is the point that brings me to President Xi Jinping's visit to the UK recently and his much-photographed "fish and chips and a pint of beer" with my prime minister, David Cameron.