Conferences & Meetings \>\> In China

International Petroleum Technology Conference, Beijing

The conference and exhibition, which rotates between Asia Pacific and the Middle East, addresses technology and other issues that challenge industry professionals and management around the world.

Date: March 26 - 28

Venue: Beijing International Convention Centre

Website: www.iptcnet.org/2013

International Conference on Manufacturing Science and Engineering, Dalian

A forum to present new advances and research results in the fields of manufacturing science and engineering. The conference will bring together leading researchers, engineers and scientists from around the world.

Date: March 30 - 31

Venue: Selected places

Website: www.icmse.net

Global Spine Congress, Hong Kong

The conference will feature multilingual sessions and world-renowned speakers as well as special symposia conducted by spine societies from across the Asia Pacific region.

Date: April 4 - 6

Venue: Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Centre

Website: www.globalspinecongress.org

International Symposium on Corporate Responsibility & Sustainable Development, Guangzhou

Topics on the event's agenda include: the tensions between respect for the natural environment, social justice, and economic development; the long view versus short-term imperatives; the competing priorities of north and south, east and west; the separate agendas of business, consumers, communities, civil society, and government.

Date: April 9 - 12

Venue: Guangdong University of Foreign Studies

Website: www.cr-sd.org/index.php/symposium/symposium

Real Estate Investment World China, Shanghai

A range of topics including business models, capital sources and investment strategies will be discussed at this real estate development, investment and finance forum for developers, investors, funds and asset managers.

Date: April 15 - 18

Venue: The Ritz Carlton Shanghai

Website: terrapinn.com/china/real-estate-investment-world

Conferences & Meetings \>\> In the US

Jeffery Wasserstrom discusses China's past year, New York

In this luncheon discussion, Jeffrey Wasserstrom will turn a cultural historian's eye on recent developments in China.

Date: March 15

Venue: National Committee on US-China Relations

Website: www.ncuscr.org

Culture \>\> In China

Maria Nemtsova, Beijing

Hear Russian pianist Maria Nemtsova, who has recorded with award winning musicians Dmitry Stepanovich (bass) and Vitaly Vatulya (saxophone).

Date: March 14

Venue: Multi-functional Theatre of National Centre for the Performing Arts

Website: www.theatrebeijing.com

Alexandre Tharaud, Beijing

Hear French pianist Alexandre Tharaud, who with his knack for creative programming and keen ear for sonority, is gaining a reputation as an artist of rare distinction.

Date: March 15

Venue: Concert Hall of National Centre for the Performing Arts

Website: www.theatrebeijing.com

The Jefferson Dancers, Tianjin

The company's diverse repertoire includes over 100 works of modern, tap, ballet, jazz, African, ethnic, and musical theatre, choreographed by nationally recognized choreographers.

Date: March 24

Venue: Tianjin Grand Theatre

Website: www.tjgtheatre.com

Marlis Petersen's Schubert Quartets, Shanghai

Marlis Petersen combines a voice of rare crystal clarity and brightness with an alert presence that enables her to completely identify with all her roles on the stage.

Date: March 22

Venue: Shanghai Concert Hall

Website: www.marlis-petersen.de

Culture \>\> In the US

TaiChiZen Workshops, New York

Join Viviane Chen for a workshop of four classes aimed at attaining mindfulness, peace, and health through a combination of tai chi, qigong and meditation.

Date: March 12

Venue: China Institute

Website: www.chinainstitute.org

Teach China - Understanding China Through Literature and the Arts, New York

Teach China offers semester-long professional development courses on topics such as ancient and modern history, literature, art, culture and politics. The courses, which provide educators with the tools necessary to teach about China in the classroom, are taught by prominent China specialists, and are open to all K-12 educators.

Date: March 6

Venue: China Institute

Website: www.chinainstitute.org

Diplomatic pouch

US Ambassador to China Gary Locke was recently in Guangzhou for the dedication of the first office tower anywhere in the world bearing the American Chamber of Commerce of logo, an event he described as "momentous".

Locke said he was happy the occasion brought him back to Guangdong province, the site of his own ancestral village.

"I should probably let my relatives know that I would bring my family members including children back for the Tomb Sweeping Day in April, back to the family village," he said.

Locke and Consul General Jennifer Galt announced that the new consulate's construction in Guangzhou will be completed this spring. "We're looking at opening it up in June, and with it will be expanded visa processing capabilities. Already it is very convenient to get a visa to travel to the United States for business, tourism, or for study. Over the last 12 months, in all of 2012, the average wait time to get your appointment and get your interview was only five days. For the last several months, the waiting period has been only two to four days," he said, adding that beginning March 16, people can schedule their interview online.

US Vice-Consul for Shanghai Jeffery Warner recently hosted a screening of the film Driving Miss Daisy as a part of the Public Affairs Section's "Scenes of the American South" series. Approximately 30 people attended and then joined in a discussion of racism and prejudice as well as the current status of African-Americans in American society. Audience members cited the importance of communication and interaction to changing their attitudes about each other.

As he prepared to conclude his posting in San Francisco, Consul-General Gao Zhansheng was invited to attend the 2013 Regular Session of The Oregon House of Representatives, which unanimously passed a resolution honoring Gao for his contribution to friendly cooperation between Oregon and China including political, economic and cultural exchanges. It was the first time that the Oregon legislature bestowed such an honor on a foreign diplomat by a voted resolution.

While in Oregon, Gao also bid farewell to Governor John Kitzhaber, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tina Kotek, Senate President Peter Courtney and other members of the legislature. Gao has visited Oregon more than 40 times and Kitzhaber also made two visits to China.

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

(China Daily 03/08/2013 page23)