Exclusive - China's Xi lauds Britain for 'visionary' openness, prods others to emulate

Chinese President Xi Jinping waves as he reviews the army, at the beginning of the military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in Beijing, China, in this September 3, 2015 file photo. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj/Files

(Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping heaped praise on Britain for what he called a "visionary and strategic choice" to strengthen commercial ties with China, as he prepared for a state visit to the United Kingdom that's expected to be richer in pomp and considerably warmer in tone than his recent trip to the United States.

The trip comes at a time of global anxiety about China's slowing growth. Xi himself acknowledged "concerns about the Chinese economy", but sought to allay them in a written interview with Reuters.