Czech Ambassador Libor Secka shares wines from his country's Moravia region at an embassy tasting. [Photo/China Daily]

The exhibition seeks to explain the euro's general benefits and its specific importance to China.

"The euro is the single currency shared by (currently) 17 of the European Union's Member States (or by some 330 million citizens)," the delegation's website says. "The euro is not only currency, it is a powerful symbol of integration in a continent struck by many wars in the past. Its introduction in 1999 constitutes a turning point in European history.

"The current debt crisis has put the euro under pressure and the exhibition will also be a timely opportunity to show Chinese university students how the EU deals with it and how important it is that countries work together in addressing the global challenges we face."

The euro information campaign moves on to Xiamen University (Nov 23-26) and Sun Yat-Sen University in Guangzhou (Dec 5-9) before traveling to Shanghai and Beijing early in 2012.

Norwegian sculptor Ola Enstad came to China for a two-month residency at the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute in Chongqing in 2005. He found a lot to like, as evidenced by the fact that he's still in the Middle Kingdom, the Norwegian embassy says, and his works Chongqing Man 11 and Chongqing Man 12 are on display at the First International Sculpture Biennale, which continues in Datong, Shanxi province, though the end of November. Enstad is one of a growing number of Norwegian artists who divide their time between their home country and China. He now has a studio in Beijing.

Poland's embassy celebrated a "Weekend of Polish music in Beijing" last week, with three concerts of performed works by Frederic Chopin and other famous Polish composers. Concert soloists included Polish competition winners like violinist Agata Szymczewska and pianist Krzysztof Jablonski.The weekend included a performance by the China National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Krzysztof Penderecki, who was the special guest of the event and appeared in a double role: composer and conductor.

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