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A recent event hosted by the Chinese ambassador to Korea was bustling with guests. On Feb. 8, a farewell reception for outgoing Chinese Ambassador Cheng Yonghua was held at the Crystal Ballroom in the Lotte Hotel, Sogong-dong. Some 500 guests attended.

The ambassador greeted guests at the door. Soon, a 30-meter-long line of guests formed to shake hands with the ambassador. The reception finally began 15 minutes later than scheduled. A diplomatic source said that public events at the Chinese Embassy are getting more and more crowded and energetic. They are often the biggest blockbusters on Korea’s embassy row. The events are as grand as those hosted by the U.S. Embassy.”