February 19, 2015 9:34 AM EST
VIDEO
Prince William gave his best wishes for the Chinese New Year in Mandarin in a video broadcast on Chinese television
After a brief greeting, the British Prince concluded his message in Mandarin. “I wish you a happy Chinese New Year and good luck in the Year of the Sheep,” he says, according to a Xinhua translation .
The Duke of Cambridge will arrive in Beijing on March 1 to launch a cultural exchange program as the two countries aim to mend ties that were upset in 2012 after Prime Minister David Cameron met with the exiled Dalai Lama. Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit Britain later this year.
See How Cities Across China and Taiwan Are Celebrating the New Year A security guard checks his smartphone as fireworks explode during celebrations of the Lunar New Year early on Feb. 19, 2015 in Beijing. Kevin Frayer—Getty Images Artists perform a dragon dance at a local amusement park during celebrations for the Lunar New Year, Feb. 19, 2015 in Beijing. Kevin Frayer—Getty Images Performers dance at the 2015 Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade on Feb. 19, 2015 in Hong Kong. Lam Yik Fei—Getty Images Worshippers wait to make incense offer at Wong Tai Sin Temple on the first day of Lunar New Year holiday on Feb. 18, 2015 in Hong Kong. Anthony Kwan—Getty Images Performers dance at the 2015 Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade on Feb. 19, 2015 in Hong Kong. Anthony Kwan—etty Images Performers wait for the start of the celebrations of the Lunar New Year in Hong Kong on Feb. 19, 2015. Philippe Lopez—AFP/Getty Images Fireworks illuminate the skyline to celebrate Lunar New Year on Feb. 18, 2015 in Beijing. Lintao Zhang—Getty Images A boy uses sparklers during celebrations of the Lunar New Year early on Feb. 19, 2015 in Beijing. Kevin Frayer—Getty Images A man reacts as firecrackers he lit explode during celebrations of the Lunar New Year early on Feb. 19, 2015 in Beijing. Kevin Frayer—Getty Images A man is shrouded in smoke from incense as he lights a stick while praying with others at the Yonghegong Lama Temple during celebrations for the Lunar New Year, Feb. 19, 2015 in Beijing. Kevin Frayer—Getty Images Woman holds incense while praying with others at the Yonghegong Lama Temple during celebrations for the Lunar New Year, Feb. 19, 2015 in Beijing. Kevin Frayer—Getty Images A devotee prays on the eve of the Lunar New Year at the Lungshan Temple in Taipei, Taiwan, Feb. 18, 2015. Wally Santana—AP People walk as residents set off fireworks as part of Lunar New Year celebrations in Shanghai, Feb. 19, 2015. Carlos Barria—Reuters More Must-Reads from TIME Introducing the 2024 TIME100 Next Sabrina Carpenter Has Waited Her Whole Life for This What Lies Ahead for the Middle East Why It's So Hard to Quit Vaping Jeremy Strong on Taking a Risk With a New Film About Trump Our Guide to Voting in the 2024 Election The 10 Races That Will Determine Control of the Senate Column: How My Shame Became My Strength