President Xi Jinping's state visit to the UK, the first by China's top leader in 10 years, is expected to upgrade growing Sino-British relations and usher in a golden age for bilateral ties. The British government attaches great importance to the trip and Xi is scheduled to attend a series of events accompanied by several British big names, let's take a look.

David Cameron, British Prime Minister

Xi shakes with David Cameron in Beijing, Dec 2, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

Events with Xi:

• Bilateral meeting at No 10 Downing Street
• UK-China Business Summit at Mansion House
• Host Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan at Chequers
• Visit Manchester City Football Club
• Lunch at Manchester Town Hall hosted by the Lord Mayor of the City of Manchester with civic and business representatives
• Attend an event at Manchester Airport

Visits to China:

December 2013; November 2010

The Prime Minister's most recent visit was just nine months after Xi was elected president in March, 2013.

During the trip, Cameron vowed to champion the free trade area agreement between China and the UK and declared that Britain would act as China's strongest advocate in the West.