Diplomatic Pouch

Mike Peters

EU Vice-President Baroness Catherine Ashton kicked off a new art exhibition by and for children, Europe in My Heart, during her visit to Beijing for the third round of the European Union - China Strategic Dialogue last week.

There were categories for Chinese artists as young as 3 and as old as 18, and the show continues at the China Children's Center through July 20. The best 60 fine art works from all entries will be selected, and will be exhibited for 10 days at the headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium.

Other entries will be displayed in October for seven days at Chaoyang Park, Beijing, during the International Travel and Cultural Festival.

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The first lady of the Czech Republic, Livia Klausova, was the guest of honor at a ceremony in Beijing to relaunch the Czech children's cartoon The Little Mole on CCTV on Friday.

It is her fifth visit to China; she accompanied her husband, President Vaclav Klaus, to Beijing for two state visits, in 2004 and 2006. Her current goodwill trip coincides with a business delegation's visit from Prague.

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Saying it was no accident that he was making his third visit to Hong Kong as Britain Foreign Office minister, Jeremy Browne told the British Chamber of Commerce there last week that "Britain is looking East like never before."

He said the UK will add 60 new jobs to its diplomatic network in China and push for a 40 percent increase in the number of Chinese speakers in the Foreign Office by 2015.

"I think there is a real opportunity this year, as we inherit the Olympic baton, to drive forward the UK's relationship with China," he said. "We look forward not only to welcoming Chinese athletes to the UK, but also Chinese businesses and spectators. We will also host a special event at the British Business embassy during the London Games focused specifically on China - one of only two such events."

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EU Vice-President Baroness Catherine Ashton took a moment at last week's European Union-China Strategic Dialogue in Beijing to salute State Councilor Dai Bingguo.

Ashton recalled that the first round had been held in Guizhou, Dai's home province, and for the second round she took Dai "back to Budapest, a city and a country, he knew well from his time as the Chinese ambassador there."

Ashton said her personal relationship with Dai and his "experience and wisdom have helped us to have serious discussions".

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The Swedish embassy in Beijing is looking for a full-time social media officer with the responsibility to manage the embassy's social media platform and the embassy's interaction via the Internet and social media.

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Lasse Karlsen, technical director of the Norwegian Maritime Authority, visited China recently to exchange views with Chinese experts on the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as shipping fuel, the Norwegian embassy reports.

Norway is currently the world leader in this sector, with 29 LNG fuelled ships in operation - currently the whole world fleet of LNG-fuelled ships. Karlsen was invited by the Beijing Energy Club and the LNG China 2012 conference to talk about the Norwegian experiences.

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