Britain's Prince William is visiting China for three days, beginning on Sunday, March 1.

The trip to China is part of the Duke of Cambridge's week-long tour of the Far East, which is seen as an indication of the British royalty's increasing diplomatic role in the world stage. During the trip, Prince William will meet Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and other senior Communist party leaders.

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The prince's visit is "not only is this a historic visit, it is also an indication of how highly regarded William is by Government and Foreign Office," roya biographer Penny Junor says. "After all, this is not going to be an easy trip. His father is a friend of Tibet's Dalai Lama, and there is also the question of human rights."

Part of the Prince' itinerary includes a tour of Beijing's Forbidden City. He will also take a look at a number of restored heritage sites, including an old-fashioned courtyard house restored by the foundations that have ties with his father, Prince Charles.

Media commentators in China describe the event as a landmark gesture, given the fact that China is widely criticized in the West for its human rights record.

Aside from this, there had been some awkward moments in the past, wherein members of the British royal family had uttered words that offended their Chinese hosts.

During Queen Elizabeth's visit to China in 1986, many Chinese were hurt when Prince Charles told British students that "if you stay here much longer, you'll all be slitty-eyed." And during the formal handover of the former British colony of Hong Kong to China in 1997, Prince Charles had remarked that the Chinese officials taking part in the ceremony looked like "appalling old waxworks."

This time, what is seen as a potentially sensitive part Prince William's trip is his decision to check out the Wild Elephant Valley, a pupular tourist attraction in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province. The site is home to some of China's last remaining wild elephants.

In one part of the park, elephants that had tusks sawn off, are trained to perform in public, kicking balls and dancing to disco music, up to four times a day.

Prince William, like his father, is a keen environmentalist and he has been campaigning against the illegal trade of animal products, including ivory.

Palace officials in Britain have already seen the controversy that Prince William's trip to the Wild Elephant Valley may stir. But it is the Prince himself who wants to proceed to the tourist spot.

Prince William says, he will rather "engage" in the issue than preach about animal rights from a distance.

Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, will not be joining Prince William, due to her pregnancy.

TagsPrince William, U.K., State Visit, Li Keqiang, Wild Elephant Valley, animal rights