The Guardian said that on the eve of his first state visit to the UK, the Chinese president speaks in glowing terms about the prospect of closer ties between London and Beijing.[Photo/Xinhua]

The trip, Xi's first to Britain in more than two decades, has been hailed by British and Chinese officials as the start of a "golden era" of relations which the Treasury hopes will make China Britain's second biggest trade partner within 10 years.

"The UK has stated that it will be the western country that is most open to China," Xi told Reuters in a rare written interview published on the eve of his departure. "This is a visionary and strategic choice that fully meets Britain's own long-term interest."

                                                                                                         The Guardian, Oct 17, 2015