China has a new ally in its campaign to turn itself into a global cultural superpower: Matt Damon. And, behind him, a good chunk of Hollywood as well. Chinese leaders have long sought international cultural influence, aka "soft power," commensurate with the nation's economic might. 

The Royal Moscow Ballet is presented in South Africa by the Edouard Miasnikov Agency, whose objective is to widen cultural exchange and sharing between Russia and South Africa.

Ho Chi Minh City and the Gyeongsangbuk-do province of the Republic of Korea (RoK) will co-host the World Cultural Expo in November 2017, a biennial exchange to introduce cultures of participating countries [...] Visitors will be able to enjoy food, music performances, fashion shows, movies, and literature pieces as well as join trade and investment activities.

“Sport is among the priorities of the public diplomacy arena [...] Iranian Ambassador to Malaysia Marziyeh Afkham said during a banquet with the Iranian ping pong players at the Iranian Embassy on Saturday. “Sport provides a quick path to understanding the world, and helps the establishment of strong friendship as well as close bonds among nations,” she said.

This year, The US State Department has sent jazz musicians "Ari Roland Jazz Quartet" as cultural ambassadors to Pakistan to increase mutual relationship between the two countries. The US State Department is working with the Foundation for Arts Culture and Education (FACE) to connect musicians in both countries. 

The Orchestra will be in "Residence" to engage in "People-to-People" cultural diplomacy, including two full orchestra concerts, as well as a series of special events throughout Ulaanbaatar. The events will be designed in partnership with Mongolian musicians, local schools and cultural institutions, as well as other civic and government institutions. The Philadelphia Orchestra will be the first Western orchestra to perform in Mongolia.

Receiving the Outstanding Contribution to Photography award this year are Chinese-Japanese artist couple RongRong & inri, who are based between Beijing and Kyoto, straddling two dynamic contemporary photography scenes.