5:19pm UK, Monday January 10, 2011
Britain has signed an historic agreement with China to bring two giant pandas to Edinburgh Zoo.
Tian Tian and his partner Yangguang will come to the UK as soon as possible
Tian Tian and Yangguang, a breeding pair born in 2003, will be the first to live in the UK for 17 years.
Zoo chief executive officer David Windmill said: "This...represents the beginning of a programme of research, education and partnership and the project has huge benefit for the UK and Scotland, both in supporting giant panda conservation and in enhancing our programmes in education, science and conservation."
The agreement was witnessed by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and China's Vice Premier, Li Keqiang, who is in the UK on a four-day visit.
Following official talks, the pair also wathced the signing of deals between the two countries with an estimated value of £2.6 billion.
Negotiations to bring Yangguang to Scotland began in 2008
Mr Clegg said the tie-ups would safeguard 700 jobs in the UK.
"This week's visits, and the agreements we have seen today, follow the Prime Minister's successful delegation to China in November, demonstrating the momentum we are building together towards even stronger relations," he said.
"The kind gift of a loan of a breeding pair of giant pandas, Tian Tian and Yuangguang, is a sign that we can co-operate closely on a broad range of environmental and cultural issues, as well as commerce."
But the rest of Mr Li's trip is unlikely to be so cuddly, as the thorny issue of China's human rights record is expected to come up.
Tim Marshall's Foreign Matters blog
Before meeting Mr Li, Mr Clegg - the first cabinet minister to sit down with the vice premier - said "no subject will be off limits".
Mr Li was holding talks with Mr Cameron at Downing Street before attending a financial services dinner with Chancellor George Osborne.
Two months ago, Mr Cameron led dozens of business leaders on a trade mission to Beijing where deals worth around £2bn are believed to have been sealed between British and Chinese companies.
"Stronger relations with China offer a real opportunity for Britain in terms of trade, jobs, and economic growth," the Prime Minister said ahead of today's visit.
Mr Li arrived in England from Edinburgh where his visit coincided with a £6.4m agreement to introduce renewable energy technology, pioneered in Scotland, into China.
Mr Li and six ministers also held talks with Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond and visited an offshore sustainable energy firm.
In the following days he is due to meet Foreign Secretary William Hague and the Duke of York, attend a China-Britain British Council Banquet and visit a sustainability project in Watford.
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