UK royal visit wins hearts and minds in China

From meeting a top Chinese leader to feeding carrots to an elephant, Britain's Prince William has launched a charm offensive in China before concluding the highest-profile trip by a British royal in nearly three decades on Wednesday.

Observers hailed the four-day visit by the Duke of Cambridge, the first one by a senior British royal to China since 1986, as displaying an increasingly warm relationship between the two countries.

The most evident sign of this closeness is President Xi Jinping accepting an invitation from Queen Elizabeth II to visit Britain, as he met the prince, who is second-in-line to the British throne, in Beijing on March 2.

Xi said he was looking forward to visiting the European country this year during the wide-ranging meeting that covered football and the impending birth of the prince's second child.

Ma Zhengang, a former Chinese ambassador to Britain, said the British government has shown its desire to improve ties by sending the 32-year-old prince, who has a good image in both Britain and China, on the key diplomatic mission.

This momentum is expected to continue, especially with Britain's wish to boost economic ties with China, Ma said.

Rana Mitter, professor of history and politics of modern China at the University of Oxford said: "There is a long link between the two countries... but this visit symbolizes the chance for China and Britain to become partners who are close, frank and open in their relationship."

The prince, who has long been fascinated by China, said he aimed to increase cooperation, particularly in strengthening exchanges between young people.

On March 2, he visited a traditional courtyard house in a hutong that has been turned into a museum by charities associated with his father, Prince Charles, and chatted with representatives from charities working for children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Duan Chuncai, a 16-year-old from Yunnan province, said her interaction with the prince had inspired her to continue her English studies and had given her a first glimpse of a British royal.

The prince also scored points in football diplomacy in Shanghai by striding onto the football pitch at an elementary school on March 3, and he served as an envoy for British business by meeting Chinese business leaders and opening the GREAT festival, which showcases entertainment, design, health care and fashion.

As an avid supporter for wildlife protection, the prince spent his final day of the trip on March 4 calling for wildlife conservation, particularly an end to the ivory trade, in Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous region in Yunnan.

zhaoshengnan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily Africa Weekly 03/06/2015 page4)