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.
Hong Kong holds health drill to test Olympic preparedness
Health authorities in Hong Kong held an inter-departmental exercise simulating a suspected food poisoning incident involving 24 sportsmen at the Olympic Village on Friday to test the city's Olympic preparedness.
Olympics in China hits Indian pesticide units
The Beijing Olympics has a direct impact on the spiraling prices of pesticides that almost went up by 60-70 per cent in the last few months. China, a major exporter of certain basic chemicals that go into a number of pesticides and fungicides, has shut down over 1,800 chemical manufacturing units ahead of the Olympics scheduled for August 2008.
IOC brings in no-betting rule for Beijing
Olympic officials will work with Interpol investigators this summer to track illegal betting rings around the Beijing Games under a new zero-tolerance approach to gambling and drugs in sport. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is deploying a special monitoring unit amid fears that the credibility of results could be compromised by betting scams.
Chinese go into training for civilised Olympic cheering
The aim of the chants is to allow spectators to cheer for athletes in a smooth, civilised manner. There will be training sessions for the 800,000 students expected to attend the Games. "We want to engage in activities to better promote civilised gestures in the stadiums, to cheer on the Olympics and to cheer on China. This gesture demonstrates to the world the charisma of the Chinese people and our enthusiasm," said Guo Zhenxi of CCTV.
Victim or Victor? China’s Olympic Odyssey
Resurgent nationalists are counting on a torrent of gold medals to erase centuries of humiliation. Will the Beijing Games complete a restoration of Chinese greatness or arrogance? China still is a society given to mass spectacles, national pageants, officially boosted nationalism and grand state-led projects. Chinese nationalism -- with its belief in the Darwinian struggle of nations -- is rather anachronistic, and so are the Olympic Games.
Beijing organizers sanction chant for Olympic fans
Beijing organizers are promoting an officially sanctioned chanting routine for Chinese spectators at August's Olympics, state media said on Thursday. Possible lack of sporting etiquette has been a concern for city authorities during preparations for the Games and a series of educational programs have been instituted.
Pro-Tibetan activists protest in Greece
A small group of pro-Tibetan activists protested Friday outside an Athens hotel where top IOC officials were meeting on the last of a three-day conference.
Qingdao making Olympic cultural effort
During the Olympic sailing competitions in Qingdao, athletes and tourists from home and abroad will enjoy local cultural activities and feel the ardent Olympic atmosphere. Jiang said a range of Olympic-themed artistic works have been produced including symphonies, songs, dances, dramas and movies. Qingdao also places importance on international cultural exchanges.
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