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Theresa May was praised by Chinese state media for sidestepping questions over the country's human rights record.

On the final day of the Prime Minister's three-day trade tour, she was commended as "pragmatic" for resisting calls to publicly challenge Beijing on the issue.

The state's Global Times newspaper hailed her for avoiding rebuking the regime for its treatment of pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong and human rights in China.

Mrs May secured a joint trade and investment review with China during her trip as the first step towards an "ambitious" post-Brexit deal, Downing Street said.

The newspaper reports sparked an immediate denial from No10, saying Mrs May had raised the issue of Hong Kong - where more than 100 activists were detained in protests over alleged encroachment by Beijing on the former colony's partial autonomy - and broader human rights in her discussions with both President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.

Downing Street issued an account of the talks with Xi and said that both leaders had restated their commitment to the "One Country Two Systems" arrangements in place since the UK handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997.

The Global Times, viewed as a mouthpiece for Beijing, said in an editorial that Mrs May was right to resist "radical" pressure to highlight human rights concerns, and instead to confine herself to "enthusiastic and positive remarks about China".

"For the prime minister, the losses outweigh the gains if she appeases the British media at the cost of the visit's friendly atmosphere," said the newspaper. "China's robust development has instilled impetus for Europe to overcome its prejudices against Beijing."

Mrs May issued a call for gender equality in her address to business leaders in Shanghai on the last day of her trip.

In a speech to the UK-China Business Forum, the Prime Minister said: "The UK and China together have the capacity to play a huge role in advocating for gender equality. But all too often those good intentions don't lead to positive outcomes, and that's something we should all be working to tackle."

She hailed the work on gender equality of Alibaba entrepreneur Jack Ma - believed to be China's richest man - whom she met at the forum.

Mrs May said that her visit had marked Britain and China "opening a new chapter in our golden era", with commercial deals totalling £9 billion signed.

These included a five-year export drive by Aston Martin worth £600 million and involving more than 20 showrooms for the luxury cars across China, as well as plans by Staffordshire-based Busy Bees to open a string of childcare nurseries including an international pre-school in Shanghai.

Just hours after Mrs May's arrival in Shanghai, the city was put on alert after a van loaded with gas cannisters ploughed into pedestrians, injuring 18 people, three of them seriously.

The incident occurred as Mrs May held talks with Shanghai mayor Ying Yong in a hotel around five miles away, but her itinerary was not disrupted. Police later said the crash was believed to be an accident.

International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said that more than £9.3 billion in deals signed in China would create 2,500 new jobs in the UK, with the figure expected to rise as more agreements are sealed.

Dr Fox said: "I am delighted to have joined the Prime Minister on this crucial and incredibly fruitful visit.

"The agreements signed this week, valued at more than £9 billion, demonstrate a clear demand for British goods and services.

"As an international economic department, we will continue to develop this valuable relationship, which already benefits British companies to the tune of £59 billion in trade each year."

Additional reporting by PA