Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is in London for his first visit to the country since taking office. CCTV’s Richard Bestic has more about the first day of official meetings.

It was a day of color. The red carpet was momentarily replaced by the red tunics of the Guard of Honour and a chat with the Queen. However, there was also a serious side to the entire affair and some very big deals on the table, including that $20 billion dollar agreement with British energy giant BP to supply liquid natural gas to China. That signing came as the two Premiers, Li Keqiang and Cameron, issued a joint statement on climate change.

What the day has demonstrated, though, is that relations between China and the UK are warm once again, following a chill in the air from 2012 and that relationship will likely translate into economic cooperation. Britain remains very keen to become the premier spot in Europe for Chinese investment. If the growth in trade and investment continues, that might not be an unrealistic goal. That’s certainly the view of Premier Li Keqiang.

Meanwhile, British officials announced an easing in visa restrictions for Chinese tourists. The government’s been under pressure to cut red tape surrounding the visa process.
British businesses say they’re missing out on trade because of the complicated forms. Dan Whitehead reports.

Doug Guthrie, a visiting scholar at Georgewotn’s McDonough School of Business, and the former dean at the George Washington University School of Business, joined CCTV’S discussion.