A curated selection of public diplomacy-relevant news from a global cross-section of English-language media outlets, including independent, corporate-owned, and state-sponsored sources. The stories featured don't necessarily represent CPD's views nor have they been verified by CPD.
Chinese Told to Watch Opening Ceremony at Home
While China invited the world to its Olympic coming-out parade, for the ordinary people of the host city Beijing there was scant chance to join in the festivities.
Epic Opening Ceremony Kicks off Olympic Games in Beijing
China did its best to present itself to the world as it hosted the opening ceremony for the Olympic Games with an epic display of fireworks and choreography as world leaders watched. The ceremony's storyline and scenes covered 5,000 years of Chinese history. People, objects and events in the production included the Great Wall, opera puppets, astronauts and achievements in music and science.
Revolution From Below
While the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics yesterday were a spectacular show the narrative from most of the Western media has been something like this: Back in 2001, China promised to behave and improve its human-rights records, in exchange for hosting the Games, but has broken its promises; there is more repression of Tibetans and other minorities, more jailing of dissidents, more harassment of the foreign press, more pollution, more censorship; in short, China is not democratizing.
Terrorists Issue New Olympic Threat, US Analysts Say
A little-known Islamic group has issued a new terrorist threat against the Beijing Olympics, US intelligence analysts said Friday.
Jiayou Xinxilan: Olympic Chinese for Kiwis
Auckland University's Confucius Institute has today produced a guide to enhance the experience of watching the Chinese Olympics including the Chinese characters New Zealand itself.
The Beijing Games
China remains a tough dichotomy -- a reforming but powerful and authoritarian nation. For all that, it would be foolish to underestimate the good that could come from China opening itself as the host of a major and truly international event.
Who Is Going to Take Home the Gold?
The U.S. has dominated the medal count for the past three Summer Olympics. Most experts predict that rising China will clean up in Beijing, but a Wall Street Journal forecast differs.
The Flag Man Stands Down
Lopez Lomong, a Sudanese refugee and new U.S. citizen carried the American flag at the Olympic opening ceremony. Asked by the international press to join the critics of China's human rights record, its ties to the Sudan, and its decision to revoke the American Darfur activist and former Olympian Joey Cheek's visa Lomong dodged. "I'm here to inspire other kids who are out there watching these Olympics," he said at one point.
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