Envoys head to Mongolia on fact-finding trip

Fifteen European ambassadors to China, who also represent their governments in Mongolia, gathered in Ulan Bator during the past week for an annual fact-finding visit.

They also had high-level meetings with officials from the Mongolian government, including President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj and Prime Minister Norovyn Altankhuyag.

EU Ambassador Markus Ederer hosted the group, which also included European ambassadors assigned to Mongolia. The latter delegation now numbers four, with the recent appointment of the Czech Republic's Ivana Grollova, who was until recently the Czech deputy head of mission in Beijing and who speaks Mongolian fluently. As part of their three-day visit, the envoys also attended the opening of the third EU Film Festival in Mongolia.

Denmark's Crown Prince Frederik (pictured) and Crown Princess Mary will make an official visit to the cities of Hong Kong and Beijing from Dec 6-8. The popular royal couple will help open the Business of Design Week exhibition in Hong Kong, where Denmark is represented by a Danish pavilion. Several programs about Danish design will be presented. In addition to the focus on Danish design, fashion and culture, the visit will also put a spotlight on Danish food products.

A Czech company that specializes in high-tech commercial products presented a technology that transforms used cooking oil into plastic packaging at a seminar hosted by Ambassador Libor Secka last week in Beijing. Re-use of cooking oil has been a recurring food-safety scandal in China's cities, and the process developed at a Brno university produces a natural polymer that can be used to wrap fresh food for storage or drinking cups. The polymer self-degrades after several months, so there is no damage to the environment.

"Because we know that the Chinese government supports the development and implementation of innovative technologies, we have decided to establish a branch in China and link the Chinese research and development in nanofibers with the global elite," said Ladislav Mares, CEO of the Nafigate Corp.

Cao Jianlin, China's vice-minister of science and technology, and Rudolf Strohmeier, the European Commission's deputy director-general for research and innovation launched the first EU-China innovation seminar last week. Representatives from academia, industry and government from both sides exchanged views on how to work together in the areas of energy, health, information and communication technologies and in urbanization. Strohmeier also met Wan Gang, minister of science and technology.

The British embassy has announced the launch of the Chevening Scholarship Program's recruitment round for 2013-14, the 30th anniversary of this British Government flagship scholarship program. British Ambassador to China Sebastian Wood said: "Chevening has formed a global, influential alumni network in more than 100 countries. China is the single biggest country program and has more than 3,000 Chevening alumni and scholars." The embassy says 89 Chinese were Chevening scholars last year.

Chevening is a fully funded opportunity for mid-career professionals with leadership potential to study in the UK on a one-year master's program. Applications close in December.

Diplomats from about 25 countries are going "back to school" on Saturdays, for 2.5 hours of Chinese-language study and culture lessons. The program is offered twice each year by Hanban, the parent agency of the Confucius Institute. On Monday mornings, Hanban teachers head for the Ethiopia embassy for specially arranged sessions with Ambassador Seyoum Mesfin and his staff.

SOURCE OF THIS ARTICLE : China Daily