In carefully scripted remarks Mr Li and George Osborne talked up the potential for growing economic co-operation between the two countries.

   "China and the UK should view each other's development as an opportunity," the Chinese leader said in a speech to the International Institute for Strategic Studies and Chatham House think-tanks at Mansion House, in London.

   Mr Osborne hailed a deal that will see the China Construction Bank set up the first clearing bank for the renminbi currency outside Asia in London. However, the bank's chairman, Wang Hongzhang, told the BBC:"Whether the UK will stay in the EU or not will not do any harm to trade and economic ties or financial relations between the UK and China."

   The remarks contrast with those of Mr Li who made the more familiar point that Britain's EU membership is beneficial to those, like China, seeking to trade with other European countries.

   "Chinese people should forgive Britain's confusing sentiment," it said. "A rising country should understand the embarrassment of an old declining empire and at times the eccentric acts it takes to hide such embarrassment."