Theresa May will visit China later this year as she continues her global tour meeting world leaders to build trade links ahead of Brexit

THERESA May is to visit China later this year to continue her efforts to drum up trade deals around the world for after Brexit.

The Prime minister will embark on the latest in a series of foreign trips designed to cement ties with overseas leaders before we leave the EU.

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Mrs May, who met the Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 in Hangzhou last September, will return to the country later this year, her spokesperson confirmed today.

But the meeting was overshadowed after the then new-PM put the Chinese-backed nuclear power plant project on hold.

She delayed the decision to give the green light to Hinkley Point, but later waved through the development.

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Mrs May vowed that the plant would help cement a "golden era" of Chinese relations - after former Chancellor George Osborne worked to secure strong ties during his time at No 11.

China's top diplomat Yang Jiechi visited Downing Street for talks with Boris Johnson in December.

The two governments agreed that work this year would include "enhanced trade and investment".

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Mrs May's recent talks with foreign leaders including President Trump, India's PM Narendra Modi, and New Zealand's PM Bill English have emphasised the importance of trade relations.

"The invitation was extended at the G20" meeting in Hangzhou in September, when May met Chinese President Xi Jinping, a spokesman said.

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