AMID all the pomp and ceremony of the Chinese premier’s four-day state visit, the signing of multi-billion pound trade deals and the glitz of a Buckingham Palace banquet, one notable person will be absent – Nicola Sturgeon.
While the First Minister was not invited to today’s state banquet, she was on the guest-list for a plush dinner on Wednesday in the City of London attended by President Xi Jinping but declined because of a pre-arranged speech at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the higher education college on Skye.
A spokesman for the Scottish Government insisted: “Scotland values its strong relationship with China,” pointing to the First Minister’s successful visit to China in July and External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop’s attendance at the UK-China High Level People to People Dialogue in September. But he added: “Due to existing commitments, the First Minister is unable to attend the dinner with President Xi.”
Asked if she felt snubbed by not being invited to the state banquet, the spokesman declined to comment. Nor would he respond to whether some people might have felt Ms Sturgeon should have attended the dinner with the Chinese premier during a rare state visit.
The new “golden era” of UK-China relations will see £30 billion worth of trade and investment deals completed, creating over 3900 jobs across the UK.
Speaking ahead of the state visit, which begins today, David Cameron said: “This is going to be a very important moment for British-Chinese relations…a real opportunity to deepen our relationship.”
Downing Street made clear “nothing will be off the table” in the talks, including the “dumping” of cheap Chinese steel, blamed for the crisis in the industry and the loss of more than 5000 jobs, as well as human rights.
Today, the red carpet will be rolled out for President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, who will be formally welcomed by the Queen, members of the royal family and the Prime Minister.
Later, Mr Xi will address members of the UK Parliament and attend the state banquet at Buckingham Palace.
Over the next two days, there will be a working lunch at No 10, a business conference in the City of London, dinner at Chequers and a visit to Manchester.
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