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.
Blair’s New Mideast Mission
As the Middle East rages, Tony Blair argues that religion can help reform the region and bring about liberal democracies. He speaks to Lisa Miller about his latest diplomatic efforts—and his appearance today at Rick Warren’s church.
China is on a cinema-building binge
Not long ago when Zhang Guomiao wanted to see a film, he'd head for the village square. There, itinerant cinema operators would unfurl a canvas screen, set up some static-filled speakers and show a grainy movie in the open air.
China slowly learning public diplomacy: Huang Youyi
Richard Lugar, the leading Republican on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, recently claimed China had overtaken America in terms of "soft power" and called on the Obama administration to take urgent action.
Culture exchange: Former Peace Corps volunteers to educate public on program
Armed with a bachelor’s degree in home economics from the University of Georgia and a heap of idealism that only a 20-something could have, Debbie Manget traveled to the Caribbean island of St. Lucia as a Peace Corps volunteer in 1978. She planned on sharing her homemaking skills with villagers.
Lord West’s doubts over Libya no-fly zone and Gaddafi
The former head of the Royal Navy, Lord West, says the government is finally getting its act together over Libya but is not convinced about the idea of the West imposing a no-fly zone.
International orchid show opens in Tainan
The Taiwan International Orchid Show 2011 opened Friday at the Taiwan Orchid Plantation in the southern city of Tainan. Addressing the opening ceremony, Vice President Vincent Siew said the orchid is one of Taiwan's most important agricultural exports and is also a symbol of the country's soft power.
A Hearts and Minds Thing
Don Starr says that he remembers thinking after the Confucius Institutes initiative was announced in 2004 that: ‘This is going to have a big impact.’His instincts seem to have been right. When I spoke to the long-time China educator and scholar about the now seven-year-old Chinese soft power programme, he also told me that one of the reasons it can be considered a huge success is its unexpectedly rapid expansion. ‘
China wants better image, but security is paramount
Eighteen pages into his opening address at the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference on Thursday, Jia Qinglin paused to note the importance of promoting China abroad.
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