Prince William Sells 'Brand Britain' To China

Prince William is in Shanghai on the first day of his visit to China.

He arrived in the country's largest city after a morning of diplomatic duties in the capital Beijing.

The trip is the first visit to China by a senior British royal for three decades and represents a significant test of the prince's diplomatic dexterity.

Despite a turbulent political relationship between the UK and China, the Duke of Cambridge was treated to a private tour of Beijing's Forbidden City and a meeting with President Xi Jinping.

The Forbidden City represents the perfect photo opportunity for Palace officials who have worked for months to make this trip a success.

Among the ancient pavilions, once home to successive Chinese emperors, William admitted his Mandarin was coming along slowly. He responded to a greeting with: "Ni hao".

From the Forbidden City, he moved across Tiananmen Square for the official business: a meeting with the man some say is China's new emperor, President Xi Jinping - who has positioned himself as the most powerful Chinese leader since Chairman Mao.

British government officials will be pleased that China granted the prince, representing the UK government, a meeting with President Xi. The meeting was only confirmed by China in the past few weeks.

Palace officials say William recognises that China is a key player on the global stage and will be for his lifetime.

The prince also had lunch with China's Vice-President, Li Yuanchao.

Meetings with senior Chinese leaders are an opportunity for bilateral continuity.

Unlike British politicians, British Royals and Chinese Communists are in office for years. The current Chinese leadership will remain in charge until 2023.

A number of topics will not be raised on this occasion.

Britain's support for Hong Kong's quest for democracy, exiled Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama, and China's human rights record are all issues where the two countries disagree.

In Shanghai, the prince's mission is altogether easier: selling 'Brand Britain' to the Chinese.

William is opening The Great Festival of Creativity, a UK-inspired cultural business exchange.

From high tech to handbags, and with companies from BT to British Airways, the festival is promoting the best the country has to offer.

Business and cultural ties between the UK and China are strong. Britain is already China's most popular European destination for outbound investment, worth £7.7bn in 2014.

British investment in China was more at £11bn, according to the China British Business Council.

The Chinese government has predicted that its outbound investment globally will grow from £64bn in 2014 to £324bn within five years.

Cultural exchanges and high-profile visits like Prince William's are designed to ensure as much of that investment as possible comes to the UK.