BEIJING, Dec. 2 -- British Prime Minister David Cameron arrived in Beijing on Monday for a three-day official visit to China at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang.

The following is a profile of the British leader.

Cameron was born on Oct. 9, 1966 in London. He studied at the elite Eton College before attending Oxford University, where he majored in philosophy, politics and economics and graduated with first class honors.

He worked for the Conservative Research Department between 1988 and 1993, which included a stint briefing former Prime Minister John Major for Prime Minister's Questions in parliament, and later served as special adviser to the chancellor of the exchequer and the home secretary.

Following his role as special advisor, in 1994, Cameron became the director of corporate affairs at media company Carlton Communications. He left in February 2001, going on to be elected as a member of parliament (MP) for the Oxfordshire constituency of Witney the same year.

On Dec. 6, 2005 when he was 39 years old, he was elected as Conservative leader.

He became the British prime minister in May, 2010, leading a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats.