Upcoming visits from top dignitaries

Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, delivers remarks to the International Corruption Hunters Alliance conference at World Bank headquarters in Washington, Dec 8, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

Prince William will visit China early next year, the first visit to the Chinese mainland by a member of the British royal family in almost three decades, Buckingham Palace announced on Nov 27.

The 32-year-old prince will not be accompanied by his pregnant wife Kate who is due to give birth to the couple's second child in April.

Buckingham Palace said William would officially open the Great Festival of Creativity in Shanghai, an event which aims to give more than 500 UK businesses a chance to reach potential Chinese partners.

"The Duke will also undertake engagements in Beijing and elsewhere to promote UK-China relations, people-to-people links, and in support of his work to combat the illegal wildlife trade and support wildlife conservation," the palace said in a statement.