David Cameron and Jeremy Corbyn sit next to each other in awkward encounter during President XI Jinping's speech

The Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition were sat next to each other for the President of China's address

The two leaders looked tense as they awaited the speech (BBC )

David Cameron and Jeremy Corbyn sat next to each other for the first time at an official event - and it didn't seem like they enjoyed each other's company all that much.

When they weren't sat in uncomfortable silence waiting for Chinese President XI Jinping's address to parliamentarians to begin, they were engaged in a conversation that didn't appear to be all that friendly:

Maybe they were talking about the Prime Minister's conference speech earlier this month speech in which he referred to the Labour leader's "terrorist-sympathising, Britain-hating ideology".

Either way, Twitter users were quick to highlight the awkward seating arrangement:

It was also suggested that the PM had decided to listen to the speech without his headphones, which were broadcasting the translation of the President Jinping's speech.

However, separate images showed he may have been listening to the translation via a discrete ear piece.

Earlier, Mr Xi's visit was overshadowed by the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, who said China should aspire to be seen as a "moral inspiration" to the world as it takes its place as an international superpower in what appeared to be a veiled reference to Beijing's poor human rights record.

The moment was followed by the release of a similarly tense-looking meeting between Mr Xi and Mr Corbyn at Buckingham Palace.

It later emerged that Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn had raised China’s controversial human rights record in a meeting with Mr Xi.

Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn meets with the China's President, Xi Jinping (Yui Mok - WPA Pool /Getty Images)

However, the Labour party described the discussions as “cordial and constructive”, despite the fact that Mr Corbyn also brought up the impact of cheap Chinese steel imports on Britain in the 30-minute meeting.