British Prime Minister Boris Johnson insists a new charm offensive will lead to a period of booming trade and investment. Twenty years ago China was fifteenth on the list of Britain's trading partners. Today it is fourth, accounting for 7.5 percent of all UK trade – a five-fold increase. 

A burgeoning middle class in China has become a key market for the likes of luxury fashion house Burberry. China's rising financial clout has also made it a key investor in major UK infrastructure projects. And that is all good news for relations between two of the world's great trading nations.