Diplomatic Pouch

The UK's deputy ambassador to China, Chris Wood was at CCTV-5's studio in Beijing to take part in the launch ceremony for a new series London Action, specially designed programs about the London Olympics that will be broadcast during this summer's Games.

Wood and John Gallagher, head of communications for the embassy in Beijing, attended the event. Wood told the audience that preparations for the Games were on time and budget, including transport arrangements. He also presented Wenlock, one of the Olympic mascots, as a gift to CCTV in appreciation for its work.

EU Commissioner Michel Barnier, in charge of the internal market and services, will visit China next week to boost EU-China cooperation.

Barnier previously visited last March, and his focus on this visit will be on financial services and procurement-related issues. He is also expected to meet Chinese officials to discuss global financial regulatory reform and the G20 agenda, market access and sharing experience and information on EU and China reforms and intellectual property rights protection.

The Danish Government has made five films to illustrate some of the themes that are high on the agenda during its EU presidency this year.

"Undoubtedly the economic crisis will be the center of attention," Minister for European Affairs Nicolai Wammen said. "However, at the same time it is important that the EU continues to make results in other areas important to our daily lives."

Denmark's Ambassador to China Friis Arne Petersen met China Daily in December to discuss his country's imminent EU presidency. To see the video, log on at www.szjzcy.com/video.

The Norwegian violinist and soloist Henning Kraggerud took part in the Hong Kong International Chamber Music Festival on January 11-19, the embassy of Norway said.

A favorite with US audiences, the violinist has worked previously with the Detroit Symphony and the Seattle Symphony among others, and this season returns to the Cincinnati Orchestra as well as performing as soloist and conductor with both the Pacific and Vancouver Symphony orchestras.

Another Norwegian artist, textile maker Trine Mauritz, has just left China after taking part in the International Shibori Symposium 2011 held in Hong Kong. One of the foremost textile artists using the Shibori technique in Scandinavia, Mauritz has been exploring the Japanese coloring technique for several years.

The Italian embassy has hosted a workshop on the current economic and financial situation of Italy at the Italian Institute of Culture in Beijing. Presentations were given by several experts, including Carmine Porello, the Italian embassy's financial counselor, Bank of Italy; Annika Melander, economic counselor and head of the Economic and Financial Affairs Section of the European Union Delegation to the People's Republic of China; professor Li Daokui, director of the Center for China in the World Economy at the School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University; and professor Fu Jun, executive dean of the School of Government at Peking University.

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