Britain ramps up pomp and circumstance for Chinese president's visit

 By 
Elizabeth Pierson
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived Tuesday at Buckingham Palace in style — in a gilded carriage drawn by white horses.

Xi and wife Peng Liyuan are on the first day of a much hyped four-day state visit to the UK, where they were welcomed by the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh and prime minister David Cameron. The royal coach drove up the wide thoroughfare of the Mall, which was lined with British and Chinese flags, and by hundreds of well-wishers as well as protestors.

The UK government has rejected accusations it's pandering to China to secure investment during a visit that is expected to lead to £30 billion ($46 billion) in trade deals.

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Additional Reporting by The Associated Press

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