Diplomatic Pouch: With Mike Peters
British fashion icon Vivienne Westwood unveiled her new red-carpet collection recently at the residence of British Ambassador to China Sebastian Wood. More than 400 guests from China's creative sector attended the reception, including celebrities such as actress Hu Jing and television host Chen Luyu.
The event was part of the GREAT Britain campaign, an initiative launched by British Prime Minister David Cameron in 2011.
Czech Ambassador to China Libor Secka hosts a presentation titled Czech Export Pearls on Sept 14, highlighting his country's products that are currently imported by China or looking to enter the Chinese market, including wine, beer, liquors, mineral waters, food and glass.
EU Ambassador to China Markus Ederer on Tuesday welcomed Sebastian Wood, British ambassador to China, and Maria van der Hoeven, executive director of the International Energy Agency, to meet officials of China's National Energy Administration to share the experience of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countries regarding China's current challenges in natural gas pricing and regulation.
Van der Hoeven discussed the main issues that China is currently facing, such as a rapid increase of natural gas demand and pricing challenges. She urged an exchange of knowledge with OECD countries as China pushes to achieve its current target of doubling the share of gas in its primary energy use as set out in the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-15).
China's Vice-Foreign Minister Xie Hangsheng went to the Maltese embassy in China early this month to extend condolences upon the death of Malta's former prime minister Dom Mintoff, who died of disease. Xie spoke highly of the contributions Mintoff made to the development of China-Malta relations as one of the founders of the Sino-Maltese diplomatic relations, which began 40 years ago. Xie asked Maltese Ambassador to China Joseph Cassar to convey the sincere condolences of the Chinese people to the government and people of Malta and Mintoff's family members.
Finnish Ambassador to China Lars Backstrom and his wife Brigitta host a reception and fashion show for the Marja Kurki company this week at the embassy residence in Beijing. The Marja Kurki Autumn-Winter 2012 Collection Launch Show is titled Urban Jungle and will be followed by an afternoon tea on Wednesday.
Pia Olsen Dyhr, Danish minister for trade and investment, ended a visit to China last week after giving a speech at the China International Fair for Investment and Trade 2012 in Xiamen. She spoke at the invitation of her Chinese counterpart, Commerce Minister Chen Deming, the Danish embassy reports. State Councilor Ma Kai opened the event.
The Greek embassy announced that the second Hellenic-Chinese Business Partnering Conference will take place in Athens on Sept 18. The Athens University of Economics and Business, the Confucius Institute and the Institute for Economic & Industrial Research are the co-organizers of the conference, which will be attended by officials and business executives from Greece and China, academics and entrepreneurs.
Send embassy and consulate news to michaelpeters@chinadaily.com.cn
(China Daily 09/14/2012 page31)
