Diplomatic Pouch >> With Mike Peters

The Embassy of the Hungarian Republic and China's Arts Service Center of the Ministry of Culture last week hosted "Sounds of Hungarian Spring", a concert welcoming the start of Hungary's EU presidency.

Performers included the 4 for Dance Company (Daniel Illes, Kristof Barany, Peter Enyedi and Sandor Gal), Izabella Szeles, Tamas Kiraly, Viktor Kiraly, Peter Puskas, Zsofia Kallay-Kiss, Veronika Toth at the Guo Cui Yuan National Treasure Park at Beijing's China World House.

Estonia celebrated Spring Festival in Tallinn this month with the opening of an international ice-sculpture exhibition by artists from Lithuania, Estonia, Russia, Finland, Mexico and South Korea. As Chinese lanterns waved in the breeze, locals watched a dragon dance and fire circus. Chinese punk band The Subs performed in Tartu, Tallinn and Narva on successive days. The celebration of Chinese New Year began in earnest in the capital Feb 5, with opening speeches from Tallinn Mayor Edgar Savisaar and China's Ambassador to Estonia Huang Zhongpo. Estonia also issued its first-ever Chinese New Year postage stamp. "Hopefully it is going to be a new tradition," says Estonia's Ambassador to China Andres Unga.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel extended her greetings to the Chinese people for the lunar new year in a telephone conversation with Premier Wen Jiabao. Wen thanked her and asked her to convey his cordial greetings and best wishes to the Germans, Xinhua reported.

The two leaders agreed that Sino-German relations had made important progress in the past year. Bilateral trade also reached a new high in 2010, which boosted the momentum of the two economies and enhanced the confidence of expanding economic and trade cooperation between China and Europe, they said.

On Jan 30, the launch ceremony for the trial issuance of e-passports for public affairs was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi presided at the event, and Vice-Foreign Minister Song Tao said that since China's reform and opening up, the nation has actively facilitated personnel exchanges. The e-passport was developed for its superior performance and ease of use.

The Danish Fashion and Retail Club was formally established at the Royal Danish Embassy in late January. The founding members are Bestseller Group, B&O, Flgger, House of Amber, Kopenhagen Fur, Lego and Pilgrim. The club aims to provide Danish companies with experience and knowledge sharing within the fashion and retail industry in China.

The Danish Embassy has a fashion, design and retail team posted in several Chinese cities - Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Guangzhou and Hong Kong - working for Danish companies to provide industry information, establish government relations, business development networks, improve brand position and other business consulting activities. A commercial officer for the Shanghai office is now being sought; more information at www.gkshanghai.um.dk

Chinese President Hu Jintao recently received the credentials of two new ambassadors from Europe at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. At the December ceremony, Hu welcomed Danish Ambassador Friis Arne Petersen and Swedish Ambassador Lars Freden.

The president wished them good luck on their missions in China.