The rock band Radiohead has made a move to join the world of social networking in China. The group has been critical of the Chinese government’s censorship in the past...but the band has started a page on the “weibo” site of Sina.com, which has been described as the Chinese equivalent of Twitter.

The stakes are high for China as it seeks to penetrate the global film market. The government and private companies are pouring significant resources into the film industry; officials are eager to boost their country's cultural exports in a way that matches the already booming business in factory goods. Yet Chinese movies have remained a largely local affair, experts say.

The latest issue of PDiN Monitor delves into the concept of Film Diplomacy in China.

From the Long March to the massive, glittering spectacle of the Beijing Summer Olympics' opening ceremony in 2008, what a long, strange journey it has been for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). On July 1, the party will celebrate its 90th birthday

“We are currently sponsoring a police officer to study Chinese at the Confucius institute at the University of Botswana to help eliminate language barriers.” China is allegedly trying to strengthen people to people relationships in a renewed bid to further nurture exchanges and co-operation, improve good will, enhance enrichment of development experiences and provide intellectual support...

Sun explained that a country’s political image, geographical location and international interaction all contribute to the way consumers buy products. He cited an example in which an American wants to buy a car but contemplates the decision because he or she feels reluctant to buy a car from a communist country.

The Mandarin classes fall under the umbrella of the Chinese government's Confucius Institutes, through its Office of Chinese Language Council International, located in Beijing.There are currently more than 100 Confucius Institutes in colleges around the U.S., including one at The Community College of Denver, the college through which Battle Mountain is running its program, Qualman said.

In its quest for resources and business opportunities, China needs to have influence in many countries. Increasingly, Beijing uses a sophisticated charm offensive, presenting an image of a modern and dynamic China — a strategy often called "soft power."