One of the most powerful men in the world is paying a visit to the West Midlands as the region seeks to benefit from China’s billions.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will visit Birmingham as part of a trip to the UK between June 25 and 27.

Wen will attend the UK launch of the new MG6 Magnette car at Longbridge and will also indulge his interest in William Shakespeare with a visit to Stratford-upon-Avon, according to Bloomberg.

He will also hold talks with Prime Minister David Cameron and make a “major speech” at the Royal Society in London.

Chinese ambassador Liu Xiaoming said: “Chinese businesses will compare – why should they invest in the UK, not France, Germany or other economies?

“We really need to identify flagship projects and high-speed rail might be one of them.”