Dutch expats cheer 'Bea' in royal transition

Guests at the Dutch embassy's daylong celebration of the Netherlands' new king swarmed the garden in a sea of orange, sporting neckties, blouses, sports jackets, hair ribbons and even eyeglasses in the national color.

This was the big day for the prince of Orange, after all, who became the country's first king in 123 years. After the crowd watched on live TV as Queen Beatrix abdicated the throne on her 75th birthday - "I am happy and grateful to introduce to you your new king, Willem-Alexander" - Dutch Ambassador to China Aari Jacobi saluted the outgoing monarch for her grace and hard work during 33 years in the largely ceremonial role.

Jacobi served as his country's ambassador to Japan for several years, and he recalled the queen's unflagging energy on a royal visit to Tokyo when she led a large business delegation there in 1991.

The new king's glamorous Argentinian wife, 41-year-old Queen Maxima, who is hugely popular in the Netherlands, was resplendent on the big screen in a royal blue dress, prompting applause from Argentina's Ambassador to China Gustavo Martino.

"We have the queen! We have the pope! We have Messi!" he said with a broad grin at the Dutch embassy reception. "We can't lose this year."

South African Ambassador Bheki Langa hosted more than 350 guests on April 29 to celebrate the country's 19th annual Freedom Day at Beijing's Marriott Northeast hotel.

VIPs in the crowd included Huang Shuxian, China's minister of supervision, Zhai Jun, vice-minister of foreign affairs, and many diplomats stationed in the Chinese capital.

"What has been achieved could not have come about without the massive support we received from many peace loving people and progressive forces around the world," Langa said.

"At the forefront of this movement for solidarity with the struggle against apartheid were the Chinese Communist Party, the government and people of China." He noted that the day also marked the 15th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and South Africa.

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