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.
Olympic Undesirables Expelled From Beijing
Ms Pemba, a Tibetan by ethnicity, stepped out of her Beijing flat on Tuesday morning and headed for her English-teaching job at a private school. She was surrounded by about eight security agents and within 15 hours was back in London, banned from returning to China for five years. Beggars, the homeless, prostitutes, activists, and anyone who might challenge Beijing's efforts to present itself as a modern, sophisticated metropolis are being forced to leave, or denied re-entry.
US Lawmakers Condemn Crackdown on China’s Minority Muslims
US lawmakers on Friday "strongly condemned" what they called Beijing's harsh pre-Olympic crackdown in China's Muslim-populated far northwest Xinjiang region. The bipartisan leadership of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus in a statement cited "credible" reports about a July 9 conviction in a closed trial of 15 minority Muslim Uighurs on terrorism charges that led to "the immediate execution of two" of them.
Four Weeks to Go and Beijing’s Unknown Army is in Retreat
Beijing has replaced its notoriously smelly public toilets with modern, cleaner conveniences. To tidy the streets, it has increased the penalty on spitting, launched anti-litter campaigns and hired tens of thousands of migrant workers. But the clean-up will soon be extended to many of those doing the cleaning. On July 20, many of the city's migrant workers - who have done more than anyone to build and beautify the Olympic city - have been ordered to return to their home towns.
Crisis in US Public Diplomacy affects State Department’s Misreading of Sri Lanka
In the forefront of the Western nations who are currently misreading the nuances of Sri Lanka’s ‘national question’ is the United States of America whose influence is greatly seen on other major Western nations who form the group of International Community (IC) which is pushing this Indian Ocean island nation for a political package/solution seen somewhat alien to the socio-economic and political culture.
Olympic Travellers Advised to Beware of Dogs
If you're heading to the Beijing Olympics, don't worry too much about catching an exotic disease but be careful about getting bronchitis and being bitten by dogs, researchers said. After examining surveillance data collected from travel and tropical-medicine clinics worldwide they found that dog bites, respiratory infections and diarrhea have been some of the biggest health threats to travelers to China in the past 10 years.
Chinese Dominance Not Guaranteed
In a few weeks, a 17-day competition between athletic superpowers for domination of the world's playing fields begins with a handshake between basketball team captains.
Not on the Menu at Beijing Olympics: Dogs
Out of respect for Western dining mores, man's best friend will not be offered at Olympic-connected restaurants, and Chinese officials are trying strongly to convince other eateries to follow suit.
First Full Dress Rehearsal of Beijing Olympic Opening Ceremony Held in Secret
The first full dress rehearsal of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games was held in secret at the National Stadium on Thursday night. Tight security was deployed outside the stadium to keep the program of the three-and-a-half hour opening ceremony confidential. Three cordon fences circled the stadium, and armed police only unlocked the gates for vehicles with special passes, according to the TV footage.
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