CG Guangzhou Newsletter May 2010

Dear all,

The last few months have been busy here at the Consulate General. Right now we are planning for the visit by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Trond Giske, to Shenzhen and Guangzhou late May. Giske will promote Norwegian interests within the IT, maritime and seafood sectors while he is here. We also want to leave with him an updated impression of China as a significant global player in many high tech sectors of relevance to Norway.

Giske is on his way to mark Norway Day at EXPO in Shanghai 28, along with HRH Crown Prince Haakon. EXPO is now well underway with between 15 and 25.000 visitors daily to our pavilion!

Another important activity for us right now is to prepare for a significant Norwegian presence at China Offshore Wind 2010, a conference in Shanghai 7 to 9 June, co-organised by Norway. A large offshore wind park is being planned outside of Hong Kong, and the biggest mainland park is planned off the coast of East Guangdong - we feel that we are at the right place at the right time!

We currently have a vacant, part-time position in our visa section for a Norwegian or Nordic citizen with Chinese communication skills. If you are interested or know anyone who might be, do not hesitate to contact us.

Click here for more information about the position and how to apply on our home pages.

As for our consular services, please note this important change: Norwegian citizens in urgent need of consular assistance outside of our office hours should no longer call our emergency telephone, but rather call a 24 hour assistance centre in Oslo at +47 23 95 13 00. Should you call our switchboard outside office hours, you may be redirected to the assistance centre. The assistance centre will in turn engage with us when local follow-up is needed. Our emergency number will no longer be operative. We hope this system will enhance and streamline emergency consular assistance to Norwegian citizens abroad.

Lastly - The 16th of May I am looking forward to join Klubb Norge’s 17th of May celebration in Hong Kong, if you have not yet signed up –contact Klubb Norge asap – deadline is out! Hope to see many of you there. If not – enjoy our national day wherever you are!

Best regards,

Tormod C. Endresen

Consul General

Welcome to the Norwegian Pavilion!
	After several years of preparation, on April 30 Shanghai is finally ready for the grand opening of the biggest World Exposition in history. Norway is one of 192 nations represented and our self built pavilion is now prepared to welcome more than 3 million visitors from all over the world!Read more >

17. mai-feiring i Hong Kong
	Feir den norske nasjonaldagen i Hong Kong!Read more >

Turdus Musicus on China Tour
	The Norwegian hard rock band Turdus Musicus returns to China for a three week tour across the country. The tour begins on the 3rd of May in Beijing where the band will play alongside Chinese rockers Tookoo at the well-known MIDI Festival. Read more >

Parallax on China Tour
	Norwegian jazz band Parallax will be on tour in China in May to promote their debut album Live in The UK. They will be playing alongside the Chinese composer Li Tieqiao. Read more >

Goldfish is Meant for Dying in Hong Kong

“Welcome to an academic lecture about goldfish, with total disregard to the narrow-minded formalities that hinders today’s intellectuals in bringing out the fruits of their truly expanding and illuminating work, to the wider public.” Thus we are introduced to Goldfish is meant for dying, a whimsical, yet strangely profound, piece of performance by Norwegian solo artist Rudi Skotheim Jensen, coming to Hong Kong in May. Read more >

Chinese offshore wind delegation visits Norway
	As part of an increased focus on developing offshore wind in China, a high-ranking delegation from China visited Norway 12th to 16th of March to explore the potential for industrial collaboration between Norwegian and Chinese companies. Read more >