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.
A Torch Job To Liberty
To the Chinese government, the word "harmony" is apparently synonymous with suppression. The Olympic torch is in danger of being extinguished for good, but not by demonstrators. Every day it's put out by Chinese officials and their exported paramilitary force, who seem to think the Olympic spirit is not about accommodating the world, but about forcing the world to accommodate them.
Closure of factories will not hit economy
Beijing's economic growth this year will not be significantly affected by its plans to temporarily shut down factories, reduce their production, and limit the use of cars to improve air quality during the Olympic Games, an official said Thursday.
Protesters March in Advance of Torch in India
Hundreds of Tibetan protesters marched through central Delhi on Thursday morning shouting "Die for Freedom" hours before the Olympic torch was due to be carried through the Indian capital.
New Freedom, and Peril, in Online Criticism of China
In the wake of the violence that has rocked Tibet and the protests over the Olympic torch relay, online bulletin boards in China have erupted with virulent comments rooted in nationalist sentiments. The verbal onslaughts have been made possible in part by the Chinese government, which has allowed online discussion to progress more freely recently than in the past. With the Olympics nearing, China has gradually allowed some sites that had been left on-again, off-again for years -- BBC, CNN, YouTube and others -- to remain accessible for several weeks now.
Cultural Diplomacy in Africa: the Road Ahead
Many African countries are often times not recognized for their individuality and progress but rather are grouped under the broad term of Africa which usually calls to mind more often than not a negative basket case scenario of failed states. This is the result of what has been labeled as “continent brand effect”. The African continent and its countries are consequently suffering from this above Brand Africa phenomenon whereby every country shoulders the reputation of the other, often times to the formers detriment.
Chinese vent anti-Western fury online
Bloggers are now calling for boycotts and stoking death threats over perceived insults from Westerners who have criticized China's human rights record ahead of this summer's Olympic Games.
China Demands ‘Sincere Apology’ From CNN
CNN offered an apology Tuesday, but the Chinese rejected it as inadequate. CNN's Beijing bureau chief was summoned to a meeting at the Chinese Foreign Ministry Wednesday night, and Thursday a ministry spokeswoman said the global news network needed to do more to "take back the vile remarks."
Lecture hails French language as bringer of peace, freedoms
The Canadian ambassador expressed his nation's contribution to promoting the French language on the world stage. "Since the 1960s, Canada has been developing francophone ability throughout the world ... through francophone press, television stations and youth activities and the diplomatic francophone relations have grown with the exchange of heads of state," he said.
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