News Digest

Britain’s Prince William arrives in China to tackle illegal wildlife trade

Prince William has arrived in Beijing for the first visit to China of a senior British royal in three decades. The Duke of Cambridge, travelling without his heavily pregnant wife, will spend three days in the country visiting Beijing, Shanghai and an elephant sanctuary in Yunnan Province. The trip, which follows a four-day tour of Japan, is seen as the first significant test of the Prince’s diplomatic skills. Trade will be one focus but he is also expected to tackle China’s role in ending the illegal wildlife trade.

Harry would love this!

Prince William as he was made to wear a samurai outfit in Japan

He will represent the Queen as well as the Government for some engagements, but for others he will be an ambassador for British business at a time when the UK is actively seeking to expand economic and cultural opportunities with China. In Japan, The Duke of Cambridge spent the last day of his tour of Japan hearing more harrowing stories from the survivors of the 2011 Japanese tsunami. The final leg of the Prince’s China tour will allow him to focus on his favourite cause - combating the illegal wildlife trade. He will visit China’s only elephant sanctuary on the border with Laos and Myanmar. For the first time on Chinese soil, he will be able to call for the country to end its illegal wildlife trade .