British Prime Minister Theresa May landed in China earlier this week fending off questions about her future amid mounting accusations of poor leadership, boring policies, and weakness over Brexit.

By Friday the 61-year-old leader was basking in a warm reception from the leaders of the world's second-largest economy. Concerned Chinese citizens affectionately nicknamed her "Auntie May" and worried if her legs were warm enough in the Beijing cold.

"What's past is prologue," said President Xi Jinping during his one-to-one meeting with May, quoting William Shakespeare to signal his hopes for strengthening ties.