Professionals welcome in Year of the Tiger

Danish and Chinese business professionals came together last friday to celebrate Chinese New Year and promote Sino-Danish links

By Heidi Wang

THE CHINESE community had a busy calendar of events last week with functions marking Chinese New Year , and in connection with World Expo Shanghai.

The Danish-Chinese Professionals' Network ( DCPro) hosted a networking party at the Copenhagen Marriott Hotel to celebrate the Year of the Tiger.

2010 is the year of the metal tiger and the Chinese believe that those who have the courage to take risks will be rewarded.

Although it's not clear if this is what inspired DCPro to organise the event, this was the first time that the Danish and Chinese business communities have joined up like this to network in Denmark.

The occasion was also timed to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Denmark and China.

Around 500 people attended the party. Among the VIP guests were China's ambassador to Denmark, Xie Hangsheng, and Minister of Internal Affairs and Health, Bertel Haarder. Even the Danish prime minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen sent New Year 's greetings to the event. Meanwhile Danish companies took the opportunity to nurture relations with their Chinese employees as well as Danish staff who work in China.

It wasn't all about networking and handshaking though. A mouthwatering smorgasbord of Chinese delicacies was on offer at the buffet, while the entertainment included the colourful, noisy and obligatory dragon dance, a Chinese acrobatics display and models showing off ancient Chinese costumes.

Anya Eskildsen, director of Niels Brock Copenhagen Business College said: ' It is wonderful to celebrate Chinese New Year with Chinese professionals and increase our business network.' The event was organised by the Danish-Chinese Professionals' Network ( www.dcpro.dk) which provides network building for Danish and Chinese professionals as well as support to Danish and Chinese expats and their families in China and in Denmark.

Billedtekst: ( left-right) Elmar Derkitsch, GM of Copenhagen Marriott Hotel; Hemming Van, DCPro Chairman and CEO of Daloon; Bertel Haarder, Minister of Internal Affairs and Health; Xie Hangsheng, Chinese Ambassador to DenmarkStudents from Niels Brock Copenhagen Business College perform the traditional Chinese dragon danceMore than 500 filled the ballroom at the DCPro event