When Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI) President Choi Jung-wha became an international conference interpreter in the late ‘80s, many foreigners either knew nothing or new very little of Korea. For instance, and when somebody finally recognized the country's name, he or she would say that the late Kim Jong-il, father of Jong-un, was the country's president. Choi's newly published book "K-Style" is not your typical geographical guidebook ― it does not feed readers with the usual information about Korea.

Reiterating the importance of cultural interactions and people to people contacts in strengthening bilateral relations, India and Kenya on Monday affirmed their commitment to renew the Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) for 2016-19, which will provide a framework for cooperation in culture.

China has also developed strong cultural linkages with Nigeria, through student exchange programs and media proliferation. This successful soft power campaign provides an effective model for Chinese policymakers to follow in their attempts to strengthen Beijing’s alliances with other African countries.

Yasuo Fukuda, former Japanese Prime Minister, said that the relationship between China and Japan, as well as the status of world affairs nowadays, were different from Sun's days, but "Sun's ideals, including the one that Asian countries should cooperate together, are not outdated, and should become guidelines for Asian countries to deal with their relations."

Ministry of Culture (MoC) which is responsible for conducting Festivals of India (FoIs) abroad as part of focused strategy for strengthening international cultural relations and enhancing India's soft power has invited proposals for conducting festivals abroad.

Nearly 100 young people in HCM City yesterday began their volunteer trip to neighbouring Laos as part of the “Red Holiday” and “Green Summer” campaigns launched by the city. [...] They will also present learning tools and scholarships to the two provinces’ youth unions, organise cultural and sports exchanges with local youths, and hand over a friendship house to the two provinces.

Wei Cheng Zong, who specialises in traditional water paintings of landscapes, said: “India is a religious country. It is the birthplace of Buddhism. We want to share our culture with India through this exhibition.” His paintings depict nature in its hierarchy, step-by-step, the lower and higher mountains come into view. Like many artists who joined the bandwagon of cultural exchange, he is inspired by Buddhist meditation.

Just promoting historical cultural and political ties with Iran will not cut it. Tehran is at a point where it wants to see cash on the table. With an economy suffering from international sanctions, and a large “youth” demographic that wants education, jobs and prosperity, Iran will soon have many options, including from the West, to attract heavy investment, specifically in areas such as energy, manufacturing and perhaps even services.