File Photo of Chinese President Xi Jinping. (Reuters)
London:
Chinese President Xi Jinping has reportedly requested a meal of fish and chips and a trip to a traditional English pub during his visit to the UK this week.
President Xi will be on a state visit to the UK from October 20-23. The President and his wife will stay at the Buckingham Palace.
Mr Xi is expected to visit a pub near Chequers on Thursday and wants to try the dish -- fish and chips -- that once symbolised Britain.
The Chinese President and his wife will then sit down for a full dinner with Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife that evening.
A source involved in negotiations over the trip was quoted by The Sunday Times as saying, "The Chinese are desperate to order fish and chips. They've asked about it repeatedly. I don't know if they know something we don't about the Chequers kitchens. It's all part of the president's view of himself as a man of the people."
Fish and chips will be a change of emphasis for Mr Xi, who will have a working lunch the day before in Downing Street prepared by Alan Yau, founder of the Wagamama chain and owner of Hakkasan, the Michelin-starred London restaurant.
The other cultural highlight for Xi will come on Friday when he visits Manchester City's Etihad stadium to see the Chinese player Sun Jihai inducted into the National Football Museum's hall of fame.
The two leaders will also watch a match between Manchester City's women's team and Wuhan Girls. But the visit to Manchester City is controversial as Mr Xi has previously stated his admiration for their rivals -- Manchester United.
The last state visit from China was by President Hu Jintao in 2005.
President Xi will be on a state visit to the UK from October 20-23. The President and his wife will stay at the Buckingham Palace.
Mr Xi is expected to visit a pub near Chequers on Thursday and wants to try the dish -- fish and chips -- that once symbolised Britain.
The Chinese President and his wife will then sit down for a full dinner with Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife that evening.
A source involved in negotiations over the trip was quoted by The Sunday Times as saying, "The Chinese are desperate to order fish and chips. They've asked about it repeatedly. I don't know if they know something we don't about the Chequers kitchens. It's all part of the president's view of himself as a man of the people."
Fish and chips will be a change of emphasis for Mr Xi, who will have a working lunch the day before in Downing Street prepared by Alan Yau, founder of the Wagamama chain and owner of Hakkasan, the Michelin-starred London restaurant.
The other cultural highlight for Xi will come on Friday when he visits Manchester City's Etihad stadium to see the Chinese player Sun Jihai inducted into the National Football Museum's hall of fame.
The two leaders will also watch a match between Manchester City's women's team and Wuhan Girls. But the visit to Manchester City is controversial as Mr Xi has previously stated his admiration for their rivals -- Manchester United.
The last state visit from China was by President Hu Jintao in 2005.
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