David Cameron takes President Xi for fish and chips and tells him that he he once made a 'terrible mistake' and left his daughter behind in the pub

On Wednesday evening, however, Mr Cameron found himself explaining to Mr Xi how he once made a "terrible mistake" and left his daughter behind in a pub.

British Prime Minister David Cameron (R) welcomes Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) to the Prime Minister's country residence at Chequers, Buckinghamshire EPA

 

British Prime Minister David Cameron (R) shares a pint and fish and chips with Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) at a pub near Chequers (EPA/Andy Rain)

The Prime Minister took Mr Xi to the Plough Inn in Cadsden, Buckinghamshire, for a pint and fish and chips at the request of the Chinese leader. 

Mr Cameron told Mr Xi the "famous" story of how in 2012 he drove off from the pub near Chequers without his daughter Nancy, then aged eight.  

 

 Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron (R) and China's President Xi Jinping (2nd L) are seen drinking beer inside The Plough At Cadsden REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Speaking while drinking a pint of ale with Mr Xi, he said: "I once famously made a terrible mistake. I got into the car and I left my daughter.

"I've been in here a few times but I'm not leaving my family here today. She [Nancy] tells the story about her dad her in the pub. She's coped very well." 

 

China's President Xi Jinping and Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron drink a pint of beer during a visit to the The Plough pub GETTY

 The world leaders ate a basket of mini fish and chips each with homemade tartar sauce during the 20 minute visit ahead of a formal dinner with their wives. 

Philip Hammond, the Foreign Secretary, described the food as "good stuff" but said that the President's "only problem" was a lack of salt and vinegar.

Mr Cameron wore a poppy despite concerns that it would offend the Chinese leader because of its link to the opium wars.

Earlier Samantha Cameron gave Mi Xi's wife, Peng Liyan, a handbag worth £550 from up-and-coming British designer Sophie Hulme. 

The Camerons also gave Mr Xi and his wife a personalised crystal platter centrepiece from the Devon based Dartington crystal, along with a commemorative lunar gold coin from the Royal Mint to mark the Chinese Year of the Sheep.

Earlier, the leaders met at Chequers where Mr Cameron took the president for a walk round the grounds, pointing out trees planted in honour of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh as well as one he planted in 2012. 

 

Prime Minister David Cameron leaves The Plough pub with China's president Xi Jinping GETTY

The pair then headed inside for an hour long bilateral that focused on international affairs and China's role on the world stage.