As global framing contests go, one of the most spectacular is the transnational effort to define proper regulation of the Internet (and in the process characterize China’s information policy). In June, China’s State Information Office issued a White Paper on the Internet.

We may soon all become as familiar with the Chinese voice as we are with CNN and BBC. Last month one of China's largest state owned media, Xinhua News Agency, launched a 24-hour global English TV News channel. It's the strongest sign yet of China's determination to push its soft power and increase its influence worldwide.

On July 29, at the launch of the TV docu-mentary series Walk into Israel-The Land of Milk and Honey, around 450 people enjoyed a virtual tour of Israel to experience the art, music, history and faith of its people. "The documentary series is a window which shows the miracle that is Israel to the Chinese," said Le Qiliang, a Chinese audience member.

"Once one starts listing the examples of Japanese culture infiltrating the United States, it's pretty hard to stop," wrote Entrepreneur.com's Laura Tiffany in 2008... Of the ten bestselling graphic novels in US bookstores in November that year, six were Japanese...

China may have no intentions of using its growing military might, but that is of little comfort for Western countries. From the World Trade Organization to the United Nations, Beijing is happy to use its soft power to get what it wants -- and it is wrong-footing the West at every turn.

In a bid to use the arts and culture effectively in global diplomatic roles, Nigeria is planning to set up cultural centres in such countries as U.S.A., China and Brazil.

Tetsuya Watanabe, the official in charge of the Cool Japan section at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, could not hide his shock at the strides being made by South Korea.

This year's festival aims to cross lines -- lines between globe and region, culture and industry, creativity and daily life, government and society, and various other categories of culture and creativity... Institutions from 11 countries have participated in the festival...