Xi Jinping, the vice-president of China who is expected to be the next state president, visits the US; American scientists gather in Vancouver; and the deadline passes for cities interested in hosting the 2020 Olympic Games

February 13

Las Vegas fashion focus
The Magic fashion exhibition and conference attracts buyers, sellers and suppliers of men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and accessories to Las Vegas (to February 15).

Sport’s commercial goals
The Sports Business Summit begins in Düsseldorf, Germany (to February 14), looking at aspects of the sector, including sponsorship, media and hospitality.

Business of public services
“New business models for public services” is the title of a policy seminar in London, led by Julian Le Grand, professor of social policy at the London School of Economics. The event is staged by the Reform think-tank and Hewlett-Packard.

Environmental research
The two-day International Conference on Sustainable Energy and Environmental Sciences opens in Singapore. Academics and researchers will present their findings.

February 14

China’s ‘heir’ visits US
Xi Jinping, the vice-president of China who is expected to be the next state president, begins a visit to the US by meeting President Barack Obama in Washington. Discussions are expected to include Syria, Iran, trade and human rights. Mr Xi will also visit Iowa and Los Angeles, before travelling to Ireland and Turkey (until February 22). Text

EU-China talks in Beijing
The 14th European Union-China summit takes place in Beijing. The Chinese delegation will be headed by Wen Jiabao, premier.

Agribusiness event
The latest in farm equipment, chemicals and technology are displayed at the World Ag Expo in Tulare, California (until February 16).

Renewable energy on show
The Renewable Energy World Conference & Expo North America opens in Long Beach, California (until February 16).

Asia takes to the air
Singapore Airshow, the aerospace and defence exhibition and conference, begins its six-day run, including spectacular aerobatic displays.

Bank consultation ends
The UK Treasury’s consultation period on its proposal for large banks to publish the pay details of their eight highest-paid senior executives ends.

Germany surveyed
An economic survey of Germany is published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Police counter-terrorism
The two-day European Police Congress opens in Berlin, focusing mainly on countering terrorism.

Video work showcased
More than 300 companies’ work will be on view at the Broadcast Video Expo 2012, an exhibition, show and conference for the media industry at Earl’s Court, London.

Postwar paintings for sale
Works by artists such as Francis Bacon, Lucien Freud and Gerhard Richter feature in a sale of postwar and contemporary art at Christie’s, London.

Lovers of the world unite
Couples celebrate St Valentine’s day with cards and gifts.

February 15

Deadline for Olympic bids
Cities interested in hosting the 2020 Olympic Games must lodge application files and guarantee letters with the International Olympic Committee by today. Baku, Doha, Istanbul, Madrid, Rome and Tokyo have all expressed interest.

Chinese ‘win at capitalism’
A lecture titled “Maonomics: why Chinese communists make better capitalists than we do”, is given by Loretta Napoleoni at the London School of Economics. She says world power is shifting east, and China’s communist economic model is winning over the west’s.

Norway in the spotlight
The country is the subject of an economic survey published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

February 16

American scientists gather
The American Association for the Advancement of Science holds its annual meeting in Vancouver (until February 20).

Media future debated
“The media world after WikiLeaks and News of the World” is the title of a two-day conference staged in Paris by Unesco and the World Press Freedom Committee.

Pleasure boats in Miami
The Miami International Boat Show & Strictly Sail Miami event will look at the state of the recreational boating industry.

February 17

London parades its fashion Headline
London Fashion Week takes to the catwalk, with leading designers presenting their autumn/winter collections (until February 22).

Carnival time in Rio
The annual carnival in Rio de Janeiro opens, dancing and parading to samba music until February 22.

February 18

Heavyweight title fight
Britain’s Dereck Chisora, 27, meets heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko in the World Boxing Council title match in Munich. Chisora takes on the Ukrainian political party leader with a PhD, known as Dr Ironfist.

New cardinals named
Pope Benedict XVI names 22 new cardinals at a Vatican ceremony. For the first time, the majority of cardinals will have been chosen by Benedict.

February 19

Screen writers honoured
The Writers Guild of America holds its annual awards ceremony in Los Angeles, honouring film and television authors.

Springfield landmark
The 500th episode of The Simpsons is broadcast on Fox. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange makes a guest appearance.

Film festival in Australia
Movie Extra Tropfest, the world’s largest short film festival, takes place across Australia.

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