The escalating tension is not only increasing the chances of conflict, it is also leading to a hemorrhage of any "soft power" that China previously possessed in the region. Regardless of the intentions of the U.S., it would be wise for Chinese officials to preserve and, if possible, rebuild any form of "soft power" that it can in the Asia Pacific region.

The result, as one Japanese analyst put it, was that “China scored an own goal,” immediately reversing what had been a favourable trend in bilateral relations under the ruling Democratic Party of Japan. More generally, while China spends billions of yuan in efforts to increase its soft power in Asia, its behaviour in the South China Sea contradicts its own message

Foreign Minister Bob Carr today announced the Government had entered into a funding agreement with the Australian Broadcast Corporation (ABC) for the on-going delivery of a new-look Australia Network Service, combining television, radio and digital media.

As the world is ever increasingly and interdependently globalized the need for mass interaction and communication with the outside world has also increased. Cultural diplomacy is critical in the development of peace and stability ... everyone in Fiji and throughout the world has the right to freely participate in the cultural life of the community and to gracefully share in its advancement and benefits.

Perhaps the strongest military aspect of the Asia-Pacific “strategic pivot” involves Australia and U.S. digital diplomacy efforts have followed. Twitter use by the U.S. Embassy in Canberra and other U.S. consulates in Australia demonstrates an effort to reinforce diplomatic and military ties with Australia and, moreover its key Asian partners.

The trip is purposely to promote cultural understanding, academic development, youth exchanges, raising awareness of public health and environmental protection between the young people of ROC (Taiwan) and it’s diplomatic allied countries, the youth-oriented public diplomacy was initiated by ROC (Taiwan) President Ma Ying-Jeou, in 2009.

Last week, the American Center in New Delhi organized an interactive session for a young group of professionals and students from India with Ms. Heather Smith, President of the American non-profit, Rock the Vote. This was a unique opportunity for the participants to interact via digital video conferencing with Ms.

Six teams from the Taiwan Kitefliers Association will visit Taiwan's diplomatic allies in the Pacific region to promote the country's popular folk art and boost cultural exchanges...Between August and October, the teams will visit Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Fiji to showcase their kite-flying skills and teach locals how to make and fly kites.