Events and stories coming up in the next few days

Food and drinks advice available

The China-Britain Business Council is eager to help UK companies to take a bite of the food and drinks market in China. A free event on Wednesday at Portland House, Bressenden Place, London, will include expert food and drinks adviser Antoaneta Becker, who will offer food and beverage companies tips and insights. China is the world's largest consumer market for food and beverage products, having overtaken the United States in 2011. Becker will discuss items including the market potential for products or services and the support that is available for businesses trying to increase their presence in China.

University offers free language 'tasters'

Loughborough University Language Centre is offering free "tasters" this week to people thinking of learning Chinese and other languages. The free week starts on Monday at the university's Herbert Manzoni Room. In addition to Mandarin classes, the center offers evening classes in Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish. Potential students can chat with tutors, meet with other learners and view materials to be used during the course.

Date set for mental health discussion

The classical Chinese view of mental health will be discussed at a training day organized by the Liverpool Mental Health Consortium. The free event on Tuesday includes a module on the way in which mental healthcare in China was influenced by Confucian ideology and an emphasis on the family. In ancient times, Chinese had highly personal duties and social goals, and failing to fulfill them was seen as a possible cause of psychological distress and feelings of guilt. The session will take place at the Central Library on William Brown Street, Liverpool.

Seminar focuses on business opportunities

The potential for business opportunities in China is the subject of a discussion at a seminar on Wednesday titled Venture in China:Opportunities and Challenges. The session is being co-hosted by leading independent Chinese business school CKGSB Europe and global law firm King&Wood Mallesons. Speakers at the event, which will be held at the law firm's offices in Queen Street Place, London, include Bo Ji, CKGSB's chief representative in Europe, and former lord mayor of London, Nick Anstee. The panel will discuss venture opportunities and growth in China and ways to earn the confidence of Chinese investors. In addition, 40 CKGSB MBA students, who are now executives with Chinese companies, will attend.