Diplomatic Pouch: With Mike Peters

Irish Ambassador Declan Kelleher hosted a press lunch last week for the Beijing Chaoyang International Spring Carnival, where Ireland will be the country of honor. Ireland recently assumed the rotating presidency of the EU, but that high purpose took a back seat to fun as food and cultural performances gave guests an early taste of St Patrick's Day revelries little more than a month away.

The British embassy in China continues to savor the new James Bond adventure, featuring action-packed scenes in Shanghai. Ambassador Sebastian Wood hosted a night of 007-themed glamour at Beijing's MOMA art house cinema: after a black-tie reception, about 200 guests were invited to a private screening of Skyfall.

Aston Martin, the event's sponsor, provided a popular photo op with two of its luxury vehicles lit up against a huge image of actor Daniel Craig. Guests also enjoyed Bond-themed music and Bond-themed cocktails - the latter shaken, not stirred by Beijing-based British mixologist Paul Mathew.

"After 23 films, I often wonder why Bond still appeals to audiences worldwide," Wood said. "I believe it's not just the guns and gadgets, but Bond himself as a quintessentially British icon."

Danish professor Flemming Besenbacher was given the highest award for foreign scientists in China earlier this month, one of several honored at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Besenbacher, from the Nanocentre of Aarhus University Denmark, was given the 2012 International Science and Technology Cooperation Award at a ceremony attended by Chinese President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao, Vice-President Xi Jinping and Vice-Premier Li Keqiang.

Danish Ambassador Friis Arne Petersen congratulated Besenbacher for his scientific accomplishments as well as for his efforts in promoting cooperation in science and education between Denmark and China. Besenbacher has been a driving force behind the Sino-Danish Centre for Education and Research.

The German and French consulates in Hong Kong celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Elysee Treaty with a "forum" about the postwar friendship treaty. French Consul-General Arnaud Barthelemy and his German counterpart, Werner Hans Lauk, co-authored the discussion.

The Norwegian embassy saluted its national women's football team after the squad won a four-nation invitational tournament hosted in Yongchuan, Chongqing against the Chinese, Canadian and South Korean national women's teams. The Norwegians, ranked No 10 in the world, have struggled lately, but the embassy says the current team is made up of a good combination of new emerging talent and veteran players - and may be ready for the upcoming UEFA European Women's Championship.

Swedish Ambassador Lars Freden led a business delegation to Changsha, capital of Hunan province. Eleven Swedish companies, all specializing in sustainable urban development and environmental technology, joined the delegation. Changsha's Mayor Zhang Jianfei received the group and signed a cooperation agreement with Freden that focuses on eco-city development and identifies Xiangjiang New City as the first cooperation project. The city has shown an interest in energy planning, water treatment, waste management and technology to reduce emissions.

Send embassy news to michaelpeters@chinadaily.com.cn.

The SDC is a partnership between all eight Danish universities and the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing.

(China Daily 02/01/2013 page31)