BEIJING - Britain's Prince William will visit China from March 1 to 4, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Wednesday.

The Duke of Cambridge will visit Beijing, Shanghai and Yunnan Province at the invitation of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, Mr Hong Lei told a routine press briefing, Xinhua reported.

"We hope the visit will help Britain's understanding of China, deepen the friendship between the two peoples and boost bilateral ties in the new year," Mr Hong said.