On November 10, 2005, after concluding his state visit to the UK, Chinese President Hu Jintao left London for Berlin to start a state visit to Germany.

During his visit to the UK, Hu met with Queen Elizabeth II of the UK and held meetings and talks with Prime Minster Tony Blair and leaders of the UK Parliament and political parties. Both sides exchanged in-depth views on further developing bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common interest. Hu also broadly engaged with personages from various circles of the UK and delivered a speech at the banquet held by the Lord Mayor of the City of London.

The UK side extended warm and grand reception to Hu during his visit. UK Queen hosted a welcoming ceremony and banquet for President Hu 's visit to her country and attended with him the exhibition of China: The Three Emperors, 1662-1795. The personages from all other circles also expressed warm welcome for Hu's visit.

Hu's visit to the UK has fulfilled the target of building up mutual trust, expanding consensus, advancing cooperation and strengthening friendship.

Currently, bilateral relations have maintained sound development momentum. Both sides established comprehensive strategic partnership and leaders' annual meeting mechanism. Both sides have conducted close consultations and coordination in international affairs. The UK has become China's biggest investor and third largest trading partner in the EU. The bilateral trade volume reached 19.7 billion US dollars in 2004, an increase of 37.1% over the same period of last year. Bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the areas of science and technology, education and culture remain dynamic.

In 2004, over 400,000 UK tourists visited China, while nearly 200,000 Chinese tourists visited the UK. Both sides have successfully held activities of the Year of Science and Technology and Cultural Festival in each other. Currently, nearly 90,000 Chinese students study in the UK and the number of UK students studying in China has also exceeded 1000. They have played a linking role for enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between both peoples.

The UK is the first leg of this trip by President Hu. Following his visit to Germany, Hu will also visit Spain and the ROK and attend the 13th Leaders' Informal Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to be held in Busan, the ROK.