The strudel crumbs had barely been swept away before the countdown began for the next German Christmas Charity Bazaar. "365 days left " the bazaar's website was headlined on Monday. Last Saturday dawned cold but sunny, and the usual lines started forming in front of the German embassy almost two hours before the gates opened.

The festivity drew about 4,500 people - 500 more than last year -and raised approximately 480,000 yuan (56,592 euros), says Axel Gugel, director of the embassy's German Information Center. The proceeds support seven charities that benefit kids or the elderly, such as Little Flower Projects and Beijing Sun Village. Representatives of the charities will receive their share of the funds at a ceremony at the embassy Dec 7.

The European Delegation hosts a travel expo, Europe: A Never-Ending Journey, in Beijing on Dec 2. The goal is to show Chinese tourists a European life full of color, iconic architecture and unparalleled natural beauty.

Florin Opris, general manager of Romania's Vinju Mare winery, was pouring his company's premium offering at a tasting last week at his country's embassy in Beijing, and all eyes were on the label. "Prince Vlad", the bottle read in strong, elegant capitals, and the medal-winning Cabernet Savignon 2001 that flowed out of the bottle was the rich red color of

Opris hopes to have Prince Vlad reds and several other wines in China's retail stores by sometime next year.

China's Vice-Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun had a courtesy meeting in Beijing last week with Jacques Audibert, visiting director-general for political and security affairs at the French Foreign Ministry. The two men exchanged views on Afghanistan, Asia-Pacific security and other issues, China's Foreign Ministry website reported.

Czech Ambassador to China Libor Secka hosted Milan Chovanec, governor of the Pilsen region and a large delegation of business executives from the area. Among them: Jan Hlavacek, technical director of Pilsner Urquell beer; Michal Kraus, CEO of Pilsen City Transportation Enterprises; Paul Jarolm, CEO and owner of the architectural firm A.D. Creative; and Miroslav Zeman, chairman of the Trade Chamber of Pilsen Region, who made a pitch to bring more Chinese investors to the Czech Republic.

Ivan Jachim, CEO of the Dominik Center, also met with Chinese officials and business executives, with a cultural agenda that included a possible tour by the Pilsen Philharmonic orchestra.

UK Ambassador Sebastian Wood gave a speech about British culture and creativity to about 400 students from Beijing Foreign Studies University.

Wood said the UK pavilion at Shanghai Expo 2010, Paul Smith clothing, the design of the Guangzhou Opera house and the Harry Potter series of books were all outstanding examples of British creativity. "UK education encourages questions and independence of thought," he said, adding that freedom of expression was critical for independent culture to flourish.

Norway's "black metal" band Trail of Tears continues its China tour, the Norwegian embassy announced, with stops in Shenzhen on Dec 2, Hong Kong on Dec 3 and Taipei on Dec 4. The group's first Asian tour began last week with stops in Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan and Guangzhou.

Embassy news can be sent to [email protected]