UK: LONDON: PRESIDENT ZEMIN RECEIVES STATE WELCOME

(19 Oct 1999) Natural Sound

China's President Jiang Zemin was on Tuesday given a full ceremonial welcome at the start of his historic - and controversial - state visit to Britain.

President Zemin was met by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair, Foreign Secretary Robin Cook and Home Secretary Jack Straw were among the Royal welcoming party.

Human rights protesters attempted to disrupt the proceedings and at least one person was detained by police.

Amid pomp and ceremony, the President of the People's Republic and his wife, Madame Wang Yeping, were greeted with Royal handshakes.

The visit - the first by a Chinese leader - comes amid improving relations between the UK and China since the handover of Hong Kong in 1997.

Accompanied by the Princess Royal, the president was chauffeur-driven in a royal Rolls-Royce from his overnight hotel near Hyde Park to Horse Guards Parade for the royal welcome.

There were handshakes and cordial greetings exchanged through interpreters.

The president, accompanied by Prince Philip, then inspected a guard of Honour.

A military band played the Chinese national anthem before the ceremonial, horse-drawn carriages drew up for the short journey to Buckingham Palace.

The Queen and the president rode in the Australian State Coach while Prince Philip and Madame Wang Yeping used the Scottish state coach.

Escorted by a sovereign's escort of the Household Cavalry, the carriage procession made its way from Horse Guards into The Mall and onto the Buckingham Palace.

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