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 ‘Pingpong Diplomacy’ Player Dies

The Chinese table tennis player who was instrumental in the pingpong diplomacy that paved the way for President Nixon's groundbreaking visit to China has died. Zhuang Zedong was 73. Zhuang, a three-time world champion, was a major sporting figure in China. Photographs of him with Cowan created a stir because of poor relations between their two countries.

Tags: china, united states, Cultural Diplomacy, government pd, public diplomacy, ping pong diplomacy

GSIS Model United Nations underway

GSIS Model United Nations 2013 is underway at GSIS Main Campus, Islamabad, says a press release. The four-day event started on February 07, with the inauguration ceremony by the Secretary General, Hassan Abbas. GMUN Patron and GSIS Principal Qurat-ul-Ain Ali Rizvi while addressing the participants said: “The organisers have worked really hard for the GMUN. There are going to be great enthusiastic debating sessions, colourful activity of global village and social events.”

Tags: government pd, public diplomacy, pakistan, non-state pd, model un

Robert Pinsky, America’s poet laureate, goes to Israel

As befitting a celebrated poet at the height of his powers, Robert Pinsky strides toward an interview in the company of a striking flame-haired woman in black. At 72, Pinsky comes close to fulfilling Hollywood's fantasy of what a poet ought to look like: trim and fit, with a full head of steel-gray hair and a profile eerily reminiscent of another Massachusetts poet, Robert Lowell.

Tags: united states, Cultural Diplomacy, government pd, public diplomacy, cultural exchange, artists, poetry

All change at ASEAN

Even the most ardent supporters of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) concede that last year was a pretty disastrous one for the ten-country grouping. Replacing the region’s usual mild-mannered consensus was an unprecedented eruption of rowing and bickering, all on very public and humiliating display at its summit meetings.

Tags: public diplomacy, non-state pd, asean, south china sea

Public Relations and Public Diplomacy: Two Sides of the Same Coin?

Not only are there a lot of similarities between Public Relations (PR) and Public Diplomacy (PD) but were it not for one major element, they might be identical. Scholars have argued that issues of power have been neglected in PR. This is true. However, that might not illustrate the complete picture as the main difference is perhaps the cohesion of PD, and the power it can achieve thanks to this.

Tags: public diplomacy, public opinion, australia

Ma pleased with growth of cultural exchanges between Taiwan, Japan

President Ma Ying-jeou yesterday met with Japanese artists at the Presidential Office and said that he was pleased to see the increasing extent of cultural exchange between Taiwan and Japan. Although public works can spur a nation's growth, it is culture that makes a nation great, Ma said, stressing that culture is the foundation of a country.

Tags: Cultural Diplomacy, public diplomacy, taiwan, japan

Radio Free Asia President Responds to Reporters Without Borders’ Press Freedom Index

In response to the release of Reporters Without Borders’ 2013 World Press Freedom Index, Radio Free Asia’s President Libby Liu said the survey’s findings show little signs of improvement in Asia with the exception of Burma.

Tags: united states, media, public diplomacy, public opinion, asia, press freedom

VOA Rejects Chinese Allegations on Tibet Self-Immolations

Voice of America Director David Ensor has categorically denied allegations contained in a Chinese state television report, which blames VOA broadcasts for encouraging self-immolations in Tibet.

Tags: china, united states, media, public diplomacy, public opinion

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