Diplomatic Pouch | Mike Peters

Surinam Ambassador Lloyd L. Pinas enjoyed a homecoming last week at Anhui University, where he was a student earning a master's degree in educational sociology from 2002 to 2005. Pinas came back to launch the Institute of Latin America Studies at the university, joined at the ceremony by Gao Kaihua, Anhui province's educational department deputy executive director; Kuang Rongjian, Anhui province foreign affairs deputy; Cheng Hua, Anhui University president; and Wang Qunjing, the university vice-president.

Pinas, who was made an honorary professor at the ceremony, thanked Chinese people at home and abroad for their contribution to Surinam's growing economy.

The Norwegian embassy will launch the English edition of Concrete and Sustainability written by internationally renowned experts Sui Tongbo and Per Jahren in a ceremony on Aug 19. The book is a joint publication of the Chemical Industry Press and Taylor and Francis Group.

Colombian Ambassador Carmenza Jaramillo last week invited many of her country's nationals as well as friends of the embassy to a live performance by guitarist David Fernando. The concert was hosted by the Jintai Art Museum in Beijing's Chaoyang Park.

Indonesia's ambassador Imron Cotan was up early on Saturday for a flag-raising ceremony at the embassy, kicking off a celebration of the country's independence day. The embassy gates opened again at noon for a bigger crowd of Indonesians and embassy friends, who enjoyed a delicious lunch of Indonesian foods, cultural performances and door prizes.

The British embassy website reports a rule change for UK nationals who claim a state pension but live abroad. "If you have received a Life Certificate from the UK Pension Service it is important that you reply as quickly as possible," the embassy says, noting that the forms now must be witnessed by another party who is not on the consular staff. Payments may be suspended if the certificate is not properly filed.

Asserting that Sino-Australian ties are ready for a great leap, China's Ambassador to Canberra Chen Yuming thanked a capacity crowd at his farewell reception last week.

"I remember a photo I gave to the Australian athlete Kurt Fearnley as a gift. With the title Leap, the photo was an action shot of Fearnley during a wheelchair race at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics. From the spark in his eyes, the tense muscles in his arms, and the posture ready for a leap, I saw the spirit of Australia. And the photo also reminds me of the fast-growing China-Australia relations in the past three years."

Chen said that someone once told him that his role as ambassador might enable him to influence the Australian stock market. "I replied that if that were the case, I hope the S&P/ASX200 index could rise to 10,000 points," he told well-wishers. "It is just a joke of course, but it reflects the fact that China and Australia, though far apart, are closely linked today."

Karsten Ankjaer Jensen, consul-general of Denmark in Shanghai, signed a declaration of intent last week with the Shanghai Institute of Language and Culture, launching a plan to promote both cultures.

The US consulate-general in Shanghai recently hosted author John Gerzema at Jifeng Bookstore for a discussion about his new book, The Athena Doctrine: How Women (and the Men Who Think Like Them) Will Rule the Future. Gerzema talked about the rise of feminine values in leadership with about 30 people, 90 percent female. He said values like "compassion" and "sharing" are important feminine values that all leaders need to succeed.

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

(China Daily 08/18/2013 page5)