Events

DIPLOMATIC POUCH >> WITH MIKE PETERS

About 1,200 guests swarmed the garden grounds of the Belgian embassy on a recent sunny Saturday for a charity fundraiser for victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsumani. "The event was a big success," says Kosei Murata (Gu Jing), wife of Belgium's ambassador to China Patrick Nijs. After the event, she thanked the Beijing community for its encouraging support that she called "a dynamic force for millions of Japanese who are struggling to rebuild their country."

Murata said the event raised more than 540,000 yuan, all of which was sent to the Japan Red Cross though Tokyo's embassy last week.

Newly-appointed European Union Ambassador to China Markus Ederer officially launched EU blogs and microblogs under the umbrella "EU in China" last week.

They will mainly focus on non-political issues and aim to introduce Chinese readers to European lifestyle issues, including food and drink, art and culture, fashion and technology, sport and travel, study and environment.

The EU delegation will post regular updates "to satisfy the curiosity and answer the questions of all EU in China fans". The delegation will also use the social media to showcase its work in China and involve the Chinese public more in EU Delegation activities in China.

"Every morning, we will share a famous quotation from famous Europeans, from writers and scientists to philosophers and artists," organizers said on the delegation's website (http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/china). "Over the coming months, bloggers will introduce the euro currency, European landscapes, education, tourism, European films, European food and drink and EU projects in China.

The blogs will provide information and tips for Chinese tourists traveling to Europe. Interactive components include quizzes and competitions, online surveys and chances to win prizes.

Since the blog was activated about a month ago, "EU in China" has already had almost 50,000 fans, including famous Chinese bloggers, such as the food bloggers Great Chef Bai Du and Transparent Purple, and singer Yin Fang.

Last week Martin Gordon, chairman of the British charity Barry and Martin's Trust, received the honorable Great Wall Friendship Award presented by Beijing Mayor Guo Jinlong.

The UK charity was nominated for the award by the Beijing You'an Hospital, for its dedication to supporting HIV and AIDS sufferers and their caregivers at the hospital.

The British embassy says Barry and Martin's Trust has had a long-standing relationship with Beijing's two principal infectious-diseases hospitals, You'an and Ditan. They have sponsored a series of doctor and nurse exchange programs with prominent UK hospitals, Chelsea and Westminster and St Mary's in London.

"The example set by Beijing influences what happens elsewhere in China and even in Chinese communities outside China," Gordon said. "We have, therefore, striven to encourage in every way the excellent example that You'an and Ditan have set."

Danish Ambassador to China Friis Arne Petersen visited Guangdong province last week to meet local officials, companies and students.

The ambassador met with the province's vice-governor Xiao Zhiheng to discuss the region's economic boom as well as future challenges.

During his stay, Petersen visited three Chinese companies in Guangdong, the telecommunications companies ZTE and Huawei and the gene research company BGI.

Embassy news can be sent to mike.peters.cd@gmail.com.