By Hong Soon-do, Beijing correspondent, AsiaToday - After successfully concluding his first state visit to the United States in September, Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to make a state visit to Britain from Oct. 20 to Oct. 23. Xi's UK visit, if it becomes fixed as planned, will clearly emphasize China's major power status to the world.

Chinese President Xi Jinping walks along with US President Barack Obama after wrapping up their summit talks in the White House on Sept. 25./ Source from Xinhua News Agency

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The Global Times, a sister newspaper of the state-run People's Daily, reported on Wednesday that President Xi Jinping and his wife are invited by Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace. The last Chinese head of state to visit Britain was President Hu Jintao in 2005.

Currently, the relationship between China and  Britain isn't bad at all. As you can tell by Britain's move to join China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) without hesitation, there aren't any special issues to resolve through summit talks. Yet, the reason why Xi Jinping is willing to make his visit to Britain comes from his confidence gained by his US trip. It means China is trying to strengthen its ties with Britain with intention to be further recognized as a great power.

In fact, Xi achieved more than expected during his US visit from Sept. 22-28. First, he clearly demonstrated so-called a "new type of great power relationship" although US President Barack Obama did not agree. He also showed how important China is to the United States through his broadminded economic diplomacy. Moreover, he pledged a $1 billion "peace and development" fund to support developing countries during his speech before the United Nations, drawing applause from the assembly hall. He also received official support from the United States for setting up the AIIB and adding the Chinese yuan into the IMF Special Drawing Rights (SDR).

Above all, the biggest achievement made is that Xi settled the public sentiment shaken up by tumbling economy and a series of accidents. Xi's popularity skyrocketed after returning to China from his US trip. Considering the fact that Xi is now free from responsibility for stock market crash, his US visit was definitely a move of God. It seems he is able to prepare for his UK visit   lightheartedly.