Diplomatic Pouch | Mike Peters

Peru's Foreign Minister Rafael Roncagliolo Orbegoso (left) was in Beijing last week, where a swarm of diplomats turned out to greet him at a cocktail reception hosted at the embassy by Ambassador Gonzalo Gutierrez Reinel (right). The diplomats included many Peruvian envoys from the Asia-Pacific countries, who came to consult with the minister about issues and goals for embassies in the region. Roncagliolo's agenda also included planning for Peruvian President Ollanta Humala's expected visit to Beijing in April.

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The Chinese embassy in Washington held a farewell reception last week in honor of Ambassador Zhang Yesui and Madame Chen Naiqing. Among the US officials on the guest list were Deputy Secretary of State William Burns, Under Secretary of State Patrick Kennedy, Under Secretary of Agriculture Catherine Woteki and Chief of Protocol of the US Capricia Marshall. They joined former US ambassadors to China, heads of foreign missions in the US and more than 300 people from the US business community, think tanks, media agencies and the Chinese community.

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The EU delegation's deputy head, Carmen Cano, kicked off the People to People photo exhibition on March 1 that will continue for nearly one month at Beijing's Meilidao International Art Institution. The show features comparative portraits of daily life in both China and Europe by Nanjing-based photographer Zhao Hui. Invited VIPs for the opening included Minister Wang Chen from the State Council Information office.

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Phoenix TV will broadcast a discussion between German Ambassador Michael Schaefer and French Ambassador Sylvie Bermann regarding their modern role in Europe on the 50th anniversary of the post-war friendship treaty between the two countries. The event was moderated by Anthony Yuan. The first part of the show airs on Sunday, March 3 at 10 am (and repeats at 6:30 pm); the second part will be broadcast on Sunday, March 10 at the same times.

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Masood Khalid, Pakistan's new ambassador to China, hosted a cultural evening on Feb 28 to celebrate the Lunar New Year and Pakistan Day. The embassy event included performances by Pakistani and Chinese artists.

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Morocco's Ambassador Jaafar Alj Hakim hosted a reception dinner last week for painter and sculptor Fathiya Tahiri, after the artist invited guests for a pre-opening view of her show at the National Art Museum of China. Tahiri's works are on exhibit in Beijing until March 14.

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The Czech embassy in Beijing continues its ongoing promotion of Czech crystal this weekend with an exhibition of Aletier Zampach in Beijing. Master crystal craftsman Stanislav Zampach and his team will be at the Aletier showroom in the capital on March 3 before traveling to Shenzhen for an exhibition from March 8 to 10.

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A delegation of Chinese writers, headed by He Jianming, the vice-chairman of the Chinese Writers' Association, recently visited Greece, the Greek embassy in China reports. During a visit to the tomb of famous Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis (1883-1957), He said: "Greece has a splendid ancient civilization and rich resources. I believe that many Chinese writers have a big interest in the natural environment, history and culture of Greece, so there is still much room for improvement of cooperation between the two countries." He also said that a Chinese publisher is preparing the translation of Kazantzakis' long poem Odysseus.

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

(China Daily 03/03/2013 page5)