- Title: CHINA: China welcomes British royal baby
- Date: 23rd July 2013
- Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (JULY 23, 2013) (REUTERS) NEWSPAPER STAND PEOPLE WALKING IN FRONT OF NEWSPAPER STAND
- Embargoed: 8th August 2013 02:05
- Keywords:
- Location: China
- Country: China
- Topics: International Relations,Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Politics,People,Royalty
- Reuters ID: LVA6V7STS3BUTSS3KAPLBK68GM4Y
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: Chinese people welcomed on Tuesday (July 23) the birth of the British royal baby, the third in line to the throne after Prince Charles and Prince William.
Prince William said in a brief statement that he and his wife Kate Middleton could not be happier after the birth on Monday (July 22) afternoon local time of their first child, an event that sparked an international media frenzy and the illumination of London landmarks in blue.
His office said Kate and the baby, weighing 8 lbs 6 oz (3.8 kg), were both doing well and would stay in hospital overnight.
China's state broadcaster CCTV announced the news on its morning news bulletin.
"Now let's turn our attention to the UK. The British Buckingham Palace announced that Princess Kate had delivered a male baby at 4:24 p.m. local time on July 22. This boy will become the third heir in line for the British throne in the future," the anchor said.
Reports of the birth made some Chinese newspapers, but many had gone to press still reporting Kate was in labour.
"I learnt from news media that British Princess Kate gave birth to a boy. It's very likely that this baby will rule tens of millions of people and inherit a fortune worth one billion U.S. dollars," said 24-year-old Beijing resident Sun Yan.
Some Chinese especially welcomed a child born from a marriage between a royal family member and someone from a different background.
"I think it's a good thing that the baby has mixed blood from royalty and an ordinary person. If this baby inherits the throne, he would be much closer to the people. That is what I'm thinking," said tourist Zhang Xiyun.
It might take some time for the name to be publicly announced. William's name took more than a week to emerge, but bookmakers make George the favourite, followed by James. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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