David Chow thanks diplomats at a welcoming reception, flanked by Cape Verde's Julio Morais (left) and Jorge Fao, and Chow's wife, Mary. Provided to China Daily

Diplomatic Pouch | Mike Peters

Cambodia's Ambassador Khek Caimealy Sysoda hosted a reception on Wednesday for Macao businessman and new CPPCC member David Chow. Almost 50 ambassadors turned out to fete Chow and his wife Melinda, herself a new CPPCC member from Guangdong province. The party, coming at the interval between the nation's "two sessions", was planned by the diplomats to reciprocate Chow's hospitality to the group earlier this year.

Rwanda's Ambassador to China Francois Ngarambe moderated the welcome ceremony and presented gifts from the assembled envoys. Chow, who is the honorary consul in Macao for Cape Verde, traded some good-natured ribbing with his "boss", Ambassador Julio Morais.

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To celebrate National Tree-Planting Day, EU Ambassador to China Markus Ederer planted a sapling in the delegation garden last week. Ederer said he wanted to "encourage others to take some action, even as simple as planting a tree or cycling to work or turning off a light" to improve the environment.

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Irish Ambassador Declan Kelleher hosted visiting Irish Education Minister Ruairi Quinn and local friends of the embassy for a pre-St. Patrick's Day reception on Friday.

Many of the revelers were starting a long weekend of celebration: The Irish Ball was Saturday night, and "Saint Paddy's Day" itself is Sunday.

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A delegation of 10 prominent Norwegian architects will be visiting China through March 22, traveling to Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou. The visit combines cultural exchanges, with a search for business opportunities in China.

Promoting Norwegian architecture in China is a cross-country initiative with long-term goals, involving all three foreign missions and led by the Norwegian consulate general in Guangzhou, the embassy said. The visit to China reciprocates a visit last fall, when a group of Chinese architects and real estate developers visited Norway.

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Brunei Darussalam Ambassador to China Magdalene Teo hosted a large crowd of diplomats and business executives to a national day celebration at the Marriott Northeast hotel in Beijing last weekend.

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Hungary's ambassador Sandor Kusai hosted a reception to celebrate his country's national day at the embassy last week.

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On the 102nd International Women's Day on March 8, British Ambassador Sebastian Wood hosted the British embassy's annual reception bringing together over 100 high profile women. To celebrate this year's global theme "The Gender Agenda: Gaining Momentum", special guest Jin Xing, the famous dancer and choreographer, shared her perspective on being a transgender woman.

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Yu Zhengsheng, who is the newly elected chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, led a number of Chinese officials joining diplomats posted in Beijing, and members of the Venezuelan community, at the embassy on March 6 to honor the late president Hugo Chavez.

Ambassador Rocio Maneiro Gonzalez (pictured with Beijing school children who visited the embassy) thanked Yu for signing the book of condolence, presenting a wreath, and mourning Chavez's death on behalf of the Chinese government.

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

(China Daily 03/17/2013 page5)