Hammond, Carney visit China in search of new trade deals
The chancellor, Philip Hammond, and the governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, as well as senior executives from UK banks visited Beijing to discuss a reported £1.4bn ($1.9bn) of potential trade over the weekend 16-17 December. The trip is part of the ninth in a series of economic talks that began in 2008. However, this year's trip is more significant than previous visits because of the need for the UK to build up trading relationships outside the EU. An initiative allowing investors in each country to trade shares listed on the other's exchange was also announced.

Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, will be in the delegation visiting China. He is pictured last month leaving Downing Street on his way to deliver his budget statement to parliament. Photo: Reuters