In the news conference after their talks, Xi said that during his visit to Britain, some inter-governmental and business cooperation documents would be signed, including one concerning the Hinkley Point nuclear power station. Cameron said the project would provide reliable, affordable energy to nearly 6 million homes and create more than 25,000 jobs.

"Our relationship goes beyond trade and investment," said Cameron at the news conference. He called China and Britain "global powers" with shared interests in a stable and modern world.

As permanent members of the UN Security Council, the two countries should deepen cooperation across the globe, Cameron said.

Ramon Pacheco Pardo, a senior lecturer in international relations with King's College London, said it is time to lift the China-Britain relationship to a new level.

Economic links still dominate Britain-China relations, yet issues ranging from climate change to post-conflict reconstruction are now part of the relationship as well, Pardo said.

Noting that British perceptions of China have been improving over the past few years, he said that despite the misgivings that some have about Chinese foreign and economic policy, for the most part Britain has recognized that China is becoming more of a cooperation partner.