The bilateral relationship between China and the United Kingdom is expected to enter a "golden age" as President Xi Jinping visits England on Monday. Xi's state visit on the invitation of Queen Elizabeth II is the first by a Chinese leader since 2005.

The British monarch is expected to host Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan in the Buckingham Palace after a grand welcome ceremony involving Prime Minister David Cameron.

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President Xi's visit is expected to improve business relations between both countries. A number of cooperation deals (about 150) involving governments and businesses are expected to be signed. While China would focus on investing in infrastructure, UK businesses are seeking more access to China's burgeoning market.

"The two governments will reach a series of agreements and companies on both sides will sign big contracts in such fields as infrastructure, financial cooperation, investment, new energy, and creative industry," Chinese ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming, said.

Britain is expected to also close a £25 billion (over 245 billion yuan) Chinese investment deal for the construction of a nuclear power plant in Somerset, England.

Britain's approach to dealing with Communist China is different from America's. Unlike the U.S., UK officials are not expected to focus on China's contentious human rights history. Britain will rather focus on improving economic ties with the world's second largest economy.

In a rare Reuters interview, Xi praised Britain for its visionary choice of opting to be China's closest western partner.

"The UK has stated that it will be the western country that is most open to China," he said. "This is a visionary and strategic choice that fully meets Britain's own long-term interest."

"China looks forward to engaging with the UK in a wider range, at a higher level and in greater depth," Xi added.

Critics have accused Britain of focusing on its economic interests above issues like growing cyber-security threats and Beijing's territorial claims in the South China Sea. But the UK has certainly benefited from being chummy with Beijing - from being the fourth, Britain is now China's second-largest European trading partner.

"The British have not only the brain for business, but also the wisdom on strategy," said Song Xinning, international relations professor at Rennin University.

Earlier this year, Britain became the first western country to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).The decision, which pushed a host of other countries to also join the financial institution, came after America warned its allies to shun the new China-led initiative.

Besides meeting scientists, celebrities and students, Xi is expected to deliver a major speech to the British parliament.

TagsChina-UK, President Xi Jinping Britain Visit