Ion Dicu, Romania's charge d'affaires, hosted a reception for "Successful Romanian People in the People's Republic of China", that included a singing performance by Mugur Ciubancan. Ciubancan has become a pop sensation on Weibo after winning a singing contest in the capital several years ago. He now lives in Beijing, singing in both Mandarin and Romanian at many events.

The event concluded with a wine tasting hosted by Jean Valvis, the Romanian investor and wine producer behind the label Samuresti. The wines are not available in China's retail stores, but Valvis hopes to change that in early 2012.

The event is part of a flurry of Romanian winemaker visits to Beijing: Domeniile Vanju Mare will host a tasting at the embassy this week.

Belgium and China celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations this year, and Belgian Ambassador Patrick Nijs is making sure it gets noticed by flashing a few diamonds.

From now to Dec 4, Chinese and expats can enjoy Belgian beers, chocolates and other food and beverages at shops across China and have a shot at winning one of 20 spectacular diamonds from renowned diamond retailer Chow Sang Sang. "The aim of the Belgian Gourmet Festival is to draw attention to Belgium's high-end food and luxury products," the embassy website says.

Professor Fang Hai recently assumed the post of the rector of Guangdong University of Technology, School of Art and Design, the embassy of Finland announced. Fang completed his doctorate dissertation in the Helsinki University of Art and Design in 2004 and he has studied and worked several years in Finland. During the next few years several Finnish designers, including Hannu Kahoenen and Vesa Honkonen, will be visiting Guangzhou and the Guangdong University of Technology, the embassy said.

Maria Larsson, Swedish minister for children and elderly, wraps up her four days in China this week with a Friday stop in Shanghai to open a seminar on Swedish elderly-care solutions. She will also inaugurate a Permobil factory and visit a home-help service center. Larsson is accompanied by State Secretary Ragnwi Marcelind and a company delegation focusing on disability and elderly care. Earlier in Beijing, Larsson met Health Minister Chen Zhu and Civil Affairs Minister Li Liguo, who is in charge of elderly care in China.

Denmark's famous Sankt Ann Youth Choir finished its six-concert tour this month at Shanghai's Tongji University. Danish Consul General Susanne Hyldelund emphasized the importance of strengthening cultural relations between Denmark and China. The Sankt Ann Youth Choir was founded in 1972; with more than 200 singers, it is one of the largest choirs in Europe.

The UK's minister of state for the foreign and commonwealth office, Jeremy Browne, ended his four-city swing through China with a visit to Shanghai, where he met officials to discuss the legacy of the 2010 Expo and how the UK can learn from Shanghai's experience in using next year's Olympic Games to enhance its image overseas. Browne also stopped in at Fudan University's law department, where he launched a film called Moot Court. The film is a reconstruction of a UK trial, featuring real British legal professionals, and will form part of a training package for Chinese lawyers and legal experts on the British legal system.

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