China and Britain are to sign billions of dollars in business deals, as President Xi Jinping meets Prime Minister David Cameron during the second-day of the Chinese leader’s state visit to Britain.

The leaders are expected to formally announce a major deal that will see Chinese investors finance a third of the cost of the Hinkley Point C nuclear plant that is to be built by French contractors in southwest England.

The Chinese state-owned National Petroleum Corporation and British oil giant BP are also expected to agree to joint development projects.

In total, British officials have said they expect $46 billion in deals to be rolled out during Xi’s four-day visit.

Parliament speech

Tuesday, Xi addressed Britain’s parliament and was greeted by Queen Elizabeth during a lavish welcoming ceremony. His trip will also include dinner at Cameron’s country retreat and visits to businesses.

Human rights advocates are planning protests throughout Xi’s visit and calling for Cameron to address China’s human rights record with the Chinese leader. A spokeswoman for Cameron said Monday that “nothing is off the table.”

The group Freedom Now, which represents detained Chinese Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo and his wife Liu Xia, released a letter Tuesday written by 12 fellow Nobel Peace Prize winners urging Cameron to call for China to set the pair free. The laureates, including Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama, also ask that Cameron push for Liu Xia to be allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment.
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