News has emerged that ex-patriate Manx men and women in China have marked the Island's national day.

Our Honorary representative in the People's Republic Richard Hewitt hosted a day of Manx themed events, in what may have been the farthest-flung celebration of Tynwald Day

He says the celebrations did much to raise the Island's profile and promote cultural and commercial ties with China.

James Davis has more (text, below, from attached audio file):

Not many of us would expect to see Tynwald Day saluted on the other side of the planet.

But for the second year all things Manx were the focus of a special event at the British Consul General's residence in the Guandong Province.

Leaders from the diplomatic, business, education and media communities were invited.

Work by local Chinese photographer Guan Xing was on display and will be brought to the Island next year.

Guests tried Queenies and a unique Manx-themed tipple, called '3 legs running'.

Richard Hewitt says there's been a dramatic increase in curiosity about China with school exchanges between Ballakermeen and a school in China, as a result of which two Manx students are to study Mandarin at university.

(Picture: A performance of 'Three Legs of Mann', a dance specially commissioned for the occasion).