(FT) -- David Cameron will on Monday attempt to give a fresh boost to trade relations with China when he greets Li Keqiang, Chinese vice-premier and one of the most powerful figures in the Beijing hierarchy.
In a sign of Britain's renewed efforts to catch up with France and Germany in the race to improve trade links with China, Mr Li, who is on a three-day visit to the UK, has been invited to meet every senior member of the government.
British officials say that although Mr Li is number seven in the Chinese hierarchy, he is strongly expected to replace Wen Jiabao, the current prime minister, in Beijing's leadership transition in 2012.
"Li is an extremely important political leader who is set to fully emerge in the near future," said a senior official from the Foreign Office.
"There is a big job to be done building personal political relations with him which is why he will meet the prime minister, deputy prime minister, chancellor of the exchequer and foreign secretary".
Mr Li arrived in Scotland on Sunday on the latest leg of a European tour, which sees him travelling with a 150-strong business and political delegation. CNN
