Nation Branding: Japan at Expo 2010 Shanghai.

Japan’s soft power seems to derive from the country’s ability to achieve a delicate balance between “modernity” and “tradition.” Pavilion Commissioner General, Mr. Hiroshi Tsukamoto, discusses how both the “hi-tech Japan” and the “cool, beautiful Japan” are presented at Shanghai Expo. He also shares thoughts on the Expo as a venue for public diplomacy.

More than anyone else, it is the Chinese who fear the dragon that is supposed to symbolise their gargantuan, swallow-you-whole economy, which has just overtaken Japan to become the world's second largest. China wants to be seen as the loong, which is a softer, entirely auspicious dragon-like being that is loathe to, in fact incapable of, breathing fire.

Chinese are welcome to visit Greece all year round, the Greek Secretary General of Tourism George Poussaios told China.org.cn Tuesday in Beijing after a cultural exchange deal was signed between China and Greece.

China's Minister of Culture Cai Wu arrived in Taipei Thursday at the head of a 40-member delegation for an eight-day visit...Cai was invited by the Taipei-based Sheen Chuen-chi Cultural and Educational Foundation to visit in his capacity as chief of Beijing's China Friendship Association.

Since the entry of the 21st century, public diplomacy in China has arrested a growing widespread attention with each passing day. The Chinese government has attached increasing importance to its role. So, public diplomacy and government diplomacy supplement each other, and they are pairing off wing to wing in China's diplomacy.

A British composer says he is "deeply disappointed and dismayed" by the British Council's decision to cancel a performance of his ballet in China because it was dedicated to the people of Tibet. Pete Wyer's The Far Shore was created for the Shanghai Expo and was to be premiered next week as the highlight of the event's "UK National Day".

Greek and Chinese authors and publishing housesTuesday signed a cultural exchange agreement to promote book publications in both languages.