The sight of youngsters speaking Chinese in the Mexican heartland is unusual, to say the least. Parents told that pupils as young as 9 would be taught Mandarin had been skeptical. Wouldn't French or Italian (Romance languages closer to Spanish) make more sense? some wondered. Savvy Mexican politicians have other ideas.

China’s new public diplomacy is ramping up to complement its traditional diplomacy. Chinese leaders are traversing the globe and receiving foreign leaders at home, but less noticed has been the blitz of China’s new soft-power efforts.

Cities should facilitate interaction and provide spaces so people can bond, says Chui Huili, director of the Taiwan Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo.

Kenya and China on Thursday pledged to strengthen bilateral cooperation during a meeting between senior officials of the two countries...[Wang Gang, vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee] said the Sino-Kenyan ties have witnessed great development of friendship and successful cooperation in such fields as politics, infrastructure and trade, as well as mutual support in international affairs.

But it was her second stop at Luoyang, Henan Province, that was the highlight of this visit. There she inaugurated the new $4 million Buddhist complex adjoining the historic White Horse Temple, built in the Indian style.

I'm honored to join you this evening, and to salute the leadership of the Asia Society and the College Board for convening this conversation on learning Chinese and thinking globally.

The Obama administration's first National Security Strategy emphasizes a multilateral approach to solving international problems in contrast to the Bush years. But it is an adaptation of traditional thinking rather than a completely new approach.

Moscow's gesture puzzled many, including Beijing and the Tibetan government in exile. Why did Russia - a strategic partner of China - suddenly become so eager to involve itself in the Tibet issue?