Diplomatic Pouch: With Mike Peters

The EU commissioner for health and consumer policy, John Dalli, ended a four-day visit to China on March 21 after high-level meetings about food safety and other issues.

Dalli met Zhi Shuping, minister in charge of the safety of all products exported from and imported into China.

They discussed easing market access for EU food products in China, current areas of concern in EU food imports from China and cooperation on the safety of non-food products.

Dalli also discussed animal health and welfare with Deputy Minister of Agriculture Gao Hongbin, with a particular focus on the Schmallenberg outbreak in the EU and the avian influenza situation in China.

Simon Lever, British consul general in Chongqing, recently hosted a British sustainable cities mission during a survey of the city.

"Many UK companies are expressing interest in the opportunities available in Chongqing and in particular in the Two Rivers New Zone," Lever said.

"We think UK companies are uniquely placed to help Chongqing's sustainable development."

The mission's next stop is Changsha, the capital of Hunan province.

More than 100 officials from anti-monopoly enforcement agencies, representing the central government and all provinces in China, attended the third "competition week" from March 12 to 16, organized under the second phase of the EU-China Trade Project.

Authorities from EU member states presented training workshops and seminars in Beijing, Shenzhen and Wuxi to offer technical assistance and to engage with their counterparts at the twice-yearly event.

Sweden's Supreme Commander, General Sverker Goranson, is wrapping up a visit to China, invited by Chinese General Chen Bingde. Peacekeeping operations have been the focus of their discussions, as well as China's participation in anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and the possibility to train Chinese personnel in UN-accredited courses at the Armed Forces International Centre Swedint.

The visit is a follow-up to Chen's visit to Sweden last year.

Goranson also visited People's Liberation Army artillery and air defense units.

Sweden's Ambassador to China Lars Freden and Minister Counselor Jakob Kiefer were in Sanya on Hainan Island recently to catch the China stop of the offshore Volvo Ocean Race.

The contestants were also welcomed by Li Shufu, chairman of Geely Group, and Stefan Jacoby, president and CEO of Volvo Cars.

Freden participated in a broadcast talkshow in which he discussed topics such as sailing, Sweden and the Swedish ship Gotheborg with Chinese history professor Qian Wenzhong and the actors Wu Xiubo and Shen Xiaocen.

The Volvo Ocean Race is an exceptional test of sailing prowess and human endeavour which has been built on the spirit of the great seafarers. The nine-month around-the-world yacht race held every three years and first made landfall in China in 2009 when it stopped at Qingdao.

Embassy and consulate news can be sent to michaelpeters@chinadaily.com.cn