It was a curious battle of flags, complete with a British tolerance for the other point of view.
President Hu Jintao of China was to be accorded the finest of welcomes to the UK: An official hello from the Queen, a carriage ride up the Mall, flanked by the Household Cavalry, and a nice cup of tea (China, we suppose) before getting down to business.
Oh, and then there were the protesters.
See also: Rowdy reception for Chinese president by Simon Jeffery on The Guardian.
