Xi Jinping

Amid all the hubbub about human rights, democracy and general decency in the wake of Chinese president Xi Jinping’s visit to Britain, it’s nice to see that British prime minister David Cameron found the time to take his counterpart to the pub.

Before they went to the pub, the PM and President Xi (and an interpreter) went for a walk in the gardens at Chequers pic.twitter.com/xuqq6pBuu7

— Sam Lister (@sam_lister_) October 22, 2015

David Cameron and President Xi have been for a pint near Chequers pic.twitter.com/njzCj1jBLV

— Sam Lister (@sam_lister_) October 22, 2015

The pub in question, the Plough at Cadsden, is just a short drive from Chequers, the official country residence of the prime minister.

Located to the east of Oxford in Buckinghamshire, the pile is often used to woo important foreigners with the kind of pastoral atmosphere that in no way resembles modern British life.

(Note also that Cameron orders two Greene Kings, presumably referring to the Indian pale ale. This is not a nice beer.)

Source – Google Maps

Cameron infamously left his young daughter Nancy at the pub by mistake back in 2012, an incident he apparently referenced in his meeting with Xi.

It's the same pub the PM left daughter Nancy in but he jokes 'I'm not leaving my family here today' pic.twitter.com/MPS4Gyh0SE

— Sam Lister (@sam_lister_) October 22, 2015

He also treated the Chinese president to the pretentious fish and chips beloved of gastropubs nationwide.

Cameron and Xi tucked in to mini fish and chips during the visit to The Plough at Cadsden pic.twitter.com/8fqsY4LsUb

— Sam Lister (@sam_lister_) October 22, 2015

One wonders whether Xi put out after this exotic date…

Image Credit – Xi Jinping portrait, April 2015 by Thierry Ehrmann