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.
The Rise of China’s New Soft Power
It is widely believed that although China’s hard power has increased tremendously in the last three decades, China’s soft power is still very limited. To some degree this is true. Very few big ideas come from Chinese thinkers; even the term ‘soft power’ itself is an American invention. Chinese leaders are well aware of this situation, and this is partly why the Chinese government in recent years has tried to promote China’s soft power through institutions like the Confucius Institutes and so on.
Japan and China Enter Era of Vending Machine Diplomacy
Japan and China may publicly snarl over disputed territory, naval brinkmanship and the interpretation of history, but for Asia’s biggest economies the era of vending machine diplomacy has dawned. This month, in the intimacy of a Ginza hotel, one of Japan’s most quietly influential business lobbies will meet its Chinese counterpart for unprecedented talks. Convened through mutual need and ambition, the summit will focus on the future of an industry that generates global sales of consumer products worth more than $50bn per
Obama's Beer Diplomacy
The leaders of seven wealthy democracies gathered in southeastern Germany on Sunday and Monday for a two-day summit that touched on a number of issues, including climate change and combating terrorism. (The Group of 7 consists of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States.) But it wasn't strictly work for the leaders, as evidenced by photos snapped of a beer-swilling U.S. President Barack Obama. When in Rome, er, the Bavarian Alps ...
Bury the Boycotts by Burying the Occupation
Two large potholes appeared on the highway leading to the village, the result of bad weather and human negligence. Numerous accidents occurred there, claiming many victims. As in Chelm, the who’s who of the village convened to discuss the serious problem. The first suggested positioning an ambulance at the site, while another wondered whether, if there was to be an ambulance, there should possibly also be a clinic to treat the injured. And a third, who was most worried about his tires, suggested opening a tire shop.
Citizen Diplomacy Needed Amid Superpowers Clash
Formal diplomacy and tiptoeing around protocols are not going to help the Philippines thwart a bristling giant encroaching on its waters and islands, according to former senator and veteran diplomat Leticia Ramos-Shahani. Shahani, who is ailing, delivered a fiery speech at the launch of P1NAS, a new alliance to defend Philippine sovereignty and territorial integrity, and strengthen efforts to forge an independent foreign policy.“We need a mass movement,” she said. “Citizen diplomacy is needed to thwart the power play in the West Philippine Sea.”
International Event on Political Communication Ends in Cuba
Havana, Jun 7 (Prensa Latina) The International Conference New Scenarios of Political Communication in the Digital Sphere-2015 ends today after rich debates on cybersecurity, governance of Internet and the digital gap. Experts and official delegates of 34 countries of all continents attended this event sponsored by the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Relations and will listen today to a report from the Presidency of the event that resumes discussions at the meeting and give way to the closing ceremony.
Council on International Educational Exchange students cherish their time in Cañon City
Corn dogs, gravy, s'mores and squirrels — just a few of things that most Americans don't give a second thought to, but things that are brand new to some people visiting from another country.
The Soft Power of China’s Cat Dads creeps up on the Tiger Mums
All over the world, the middle classes take temporary leave of their senses when they bear their first child — and especially when junior is ready to start school. We all know about China’s Tiger Mums, but as far as I can see, other countries have ferocious felines too. Chinese mums are not the only ones loading their tiny ones up with after-school classes, to make sure they do well in college entrance exams (China’s own version of this — the dreaded gaokao — finishes on June 9).
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