President Xi Jinping has called on the UK - as one of China's strongest allies in the west - to play a leading role in strengthening the country's relationship with the European Union (EU).

On Thursday, during a meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron at the Chequers, Xi said China wishes the EU to be prosperous and united.

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Pundits say maintaining China's relationship with the EU is important to President Xi because it provides access to a large market and extends the country's sphere of influence as a rising world power. China is the EU's second largest trading partner after the U.S. Last year, the volume of trade between China and the EU was worth up to $600 million (over 3.8 billion yuan). During a visit to Brussels earlier in the year, Premier Li Keqiang highlighted the potential to combine China's manufacturing power and Europe's technical know-how.

During his four-day trip to the UK, President Xi presided over the signing of bilateral agreements worth up to $46 billion (over 291 billion yuan) in various industries ranging from nuclear energy to finance and sustainable development.

Cameron, who noted that the UK is ready to deepen ties with China in many other fields, welcomed the investment into his country's economy. He explained that the UK supports the proposed free-trade agreement between China and the EU. Cameron also assured Xi that the UK will positively influence the development of China-EU relations. Both leaders have agreed to boost bilateral ties, as well as trade and people-to-people exchanges between both nations.

There have been many remarkable moments in President Xi's historic state visit to the UK. Besides enjoying a ride in a golden carriage with the Queen and a pint of beer with Cameron, on Friday Xi also enjoyed a tour of Manchester University and Manchester City's football academy. Xi attended a lunch at Manchester Town Hall with the British PM, business leaders and community heads before departing for Beijing.

TagsChina-UK Relations, European Union (EU), President Xi Jinping UK State Visit, China-EU, China-UK