Chinese president wraps up British visit

China's President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan wave as they board their aircraft to return to China, at Manchester airport in Britain October 23, 2015.[Photo/Agencies]

MANCHESTER, Britain -- Chinese President Xi Jinping left Britain Friday, concluding his five-day state visit to the European nation, the first in a decade by a Chinese head of state.

Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan stayed at Buckingham Palace in London as the guests of Queen Elizabeth II, who hosted a grand ceremonial welcome for the couple, gave a private lunch and a formal state banquet with the attendance of senior members of the royal family.

During the visit, the two countries lifted their ties to "a global comprehensive strategic partnership for the 21st century" and agreed that "this visit opens a golden era in China-UK relations featuring enduring, inclusive and win-win cooperation."

The trip also took Xi to the old industrial city of Manchester in northern England.