The visit by Xi comes as Britain strives to strengthen ties with Beijing and build business links with the world's second-largest economy. The state banquet will take place later that day, with leader of the opposition Labour party Jeremy Corbyn among those attending.Ī spokesman for the left-wing campaigner did not rule out the possibility he could raise concerns about China's human rights record at the dinner. Xi and Peng will then be guests at Clarence House for tea, the spokeswoman said. 'The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have significant involvement in the state visit by the president of the People's Republic of China,' a Clarence House spokeswoman said.Ĭharles and his wife Camilla are to meet Xi and Peng at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Tuesday, before travelling to a ceremonial welcome and lunch at Buckingham Palace. The jibes were later published in the press.Ī statement from his official residence, Clarence House, emphasised that Charles would spend ample time with Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan during the trip, which begins on October 20. 'He did not approve of the Chinese regime, and is a great supporter of the Dalai Lama, whom he views as being oppressed by the Chinese,' Bolland said.Ĭharles also described Chinese leaders as 'appalling old waxworks' in journal writings about the 1997 transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong from Britain to China. The prince was accused of boycotting a Chinese state visit to Britain in 1999, when he failed to attend a banquet hosted for Jiang Zemin, who was then Chinese president.Ī former private secretary to Charles, Mark Bolland, described it as 'a deliberate snub' in a court statement in 2006.

The Prince of Wales will hold 'one-to-one talks' with the president but will not attend the banquet, to be hosted by the Queen.Ĭharles is a supporter of the Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader whom China views as a dangerous separatist. Prince Charles is to skip a state banquet during a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping next week, the office of the heir to the throne said.

Appalling old waxworks