Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with visiting British Prime Minister David Cameron during their meeting in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 2, 2013.(Xinhua/Ju Peng)

　　#XiUKVisit

　　"The UK has stated that it will be the Western country that is most open to China. This is a visionary and strategic choice that fully meets Britain's own long-term interest," Chinese President Xi Jinping says in a written interview with Reuters before heading for Britain on Monday for a state visit at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth II.

　　Xi's upcoming visit marks the first state visit to the United Kingdom by a Chinese leader since 2005.

　　In the interview, Xi answered questions ranging from bilateral ties, China's economic slowdown, its role in global affairs, climate change, the South China sea, the new Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, to football, his favorite sport.