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.

China finds soft power in sport

In sport, China has discovered a new brand of soft power to extend its influence across the globe...In recent times, starting from the successful 2008 Summer Olympic Games, China has also used sport to extend its influence in the global community. The global influence of Chinese athletes such as tennis player Li Na, hurdler Liu Xiang and basketball player Yao Ming are key examples.

Tags: china, soft power, Cultural Diplomacy, public diplomacy, sports diplomacy

More Foreign Players = Good Diplomacy for Japan: Rakuten’s Mikitani

Japanese Internet billionaire Hiroshi Mikitani has a solution for Japan’s diplomatic woes with China: let more Chinese players play on the country’s sports teams...Japan is missing out on a chance to build goodwill across the globe by restricting the number of foreign players, said Mr. Mikitani, who is also a member of a panel on industrial competitiveness reporting to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at a news conference in Tokyo on Tuesday.

Tags: china, Cultural Diplomacy, public diplomacy, japan, sports diplomacy

Singapore’s iconic movies to be screened in Mexico

Some of the best Malay movies from Singapore's yesteryears will showcase great performances by well-known names in local theatre in Mexico under a cultural exchange between the National Museum here and the Mexico Embassy.

Tags: Cultural Diplomacy, public diplomacy, mexico, film diplomacy, singapore

China and India: Translating Public Diplomacy Into Soft Power

Two recent books on China and India have highlighted the rising importance of public diplomacy within the foreign policies of these rising Asian giants. Taken together, U.S. academic David Shambaugh’s China Goes Global and Indian writer and Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor’s Pax Indica reveal some telling differences between the way both governments approach the pursuit of soft power.

Tags: china, soft power, government pd, public diplomacy, india

Bosnian Grand Mufti’s Message to Pope Francis

While the political influence of the Vatican might be limited to public diplomacy, the spiritual influence has great significance for millions of Christians around the world. Consequently, the pope has always had a great impact on global peace and security...Indeed, I hope that Pope Francis will renew the Catholic-Muslim Forum with new energy and commitment to the spirit of the A Common Word Initiative which Pope Benedict XVI helped begin.

Tags: Cultural Diplomacy, public diplomacy, faith diplomacy, muslim, catholic church, pope

Sino-Russian relationship carried by shared concerns, not common foe

After taking office, Chinese President Xi Jinping chose Russia for his first stop abroad, met with his counterpart Vladimir Putin and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, and signed a series of treaties. This demonstrates the close strategic relations the two countries enjoy.

Tags: china, government pd, public diplomacy, russia, foreign policy, economic diplomacy, vladimir putin, xi jinping

Why U.S. can’t deliver women’s rights to Afghanistan

During his recent unannounced visit to Afghanistan, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met with prominent female entrepreneurs and the captain of the women’s soccer team to discuss the hard-won progress of Afghan women and their uncertain future. Like his predecessor, Secretary Kerry has admirably pledged to prioritize women’s rights in his foreign policy agenda.

Tags: united states, soft power, government pd, public diplomacy, foreign policy, john kerry, womens rights

African Roles in the Libyan Conflict of 2011

Several people sent in questions to Alex de Waal in response to his article, "African Roles in the Libyan Conflict of 2011″ available in the March 2013 edition of International Affairs. Below are de Waal's responses.

Tags: soft power, government pd, public diplomacy, africa, foreign policy, libya

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